Council for Economic Education
FRED and the Federal Budget Interactive Lesson
How can a federal debt accumulate over time? The Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) dashboard allows scholars to actively research each aspect of the federal budget. In pairs, they analyze economic data to determine the best way to...
Curated OER
Creating a Federal Budget
Learners research how the government works together to create a budget. In groups, they examine each major spending category and their purpose. They identify the many challenges and compromises that must take place to agree on a budget.
Curated OER
Budget Mania
Students examine several examples of budgets to develop a facility with the components of its formation. Income, expenses, and expenditures are considered and itemized for this lesson.
Practical Money Skills
Budgeting Your Money
How do you make sure that your income doesn't disappear before you have a chance to save it? Use a creative budgeting activity to teach learners in both special education and mainstream classes how to keep track of their expenditures and...
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Public Policy & The Federal Budget
Students, in groups, represent a single deparment in the executive branch and research the work of their department and their current budget via a provided Internet site and then must decide how to cut their budget for an emergency.
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Basic Budgeting
Students create a personal budget. In this creating a personal budget instructional activity, students create a list of 3 necessary things they need to survive. Students rank these things in order of importance and determine...
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Introduction to the National Debt
Students relate the national debt to the economy. In this algebra instructional activity, students discuss what the national debt is, create a national budget based on priority and what the government should spend money on. They analyze...
Council for Economic Education
Government Spending: Why Do We Spend the Way We Do?
Students examine the categories for federal spending using the internet to locate them. They create a list of expenditures noting them as government purchases or transfer payments. They analyze the patterns of spending during the past 40...
Curated OER
The Fairfax County Budget -- A Look At Spending
Middle schoolers brainstorm a list of items that should be a priority for the government to help its citizens. Using an out of date budget, they identify individual line items and the conflicts involved in making a budget work. They...
Curated OER
Married Math
Students participate in a two-week real-life math unit. In pairs, they calculate salaries, taxes, and a budget, plan a vacation, buy insurance, make a will, and design a room. They conduct Internet research to plan the vacation, and...
Curated OER
Legislators and Representation - Executive, Federal and Interest Group Relations
High schoolers explore the interaction between the legislature and other governmental institutions. They watch videos exploring the relationship between the state legislature and two government institutions, and the role of lobbyists on...
Federal Reserve Bank
Turn Your Radio On
After listening to and analyzing a series of FDR's Fireside Chats, groups create their own recordings, and using New Deal programs, address a current economic condition.
Curated OER
Innovation for Good
Many historical innovations were created for the common good. Get your young scholars ready for life as a critical thinker with this lesson which defines the differences between innovation and invention. They will conduct Internet...
American Bar Association
What Is Separation of Powers?
Who has the power? Scholars investigate the creation of the three branches of government in the United States Constitution. They analyze just why the framers created the branches the way they did.
Curated OER
Raising Money for Government Services
Students evaluate how money is raised to pay for government services. They describe why governments need revenue to provide goods and services. They create a list of government expenditures at the federal, state and local levels. They...
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There's No Business Like Bank Business
Students participate in a role play where they see how a bank works and how interest is paid by having money in the bank. In this bank lesson plan, students operate a bank and learn about saving, accounts, deposits, withdrawals,...
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The Cost of War
Students view a video clip about the cost of war. They discover what goes into paying for a war. They examine the need for a budget in the government. They read a news story about this topic as well.
Practical Money Skills
Making Decisions
A set of quizzes and assessments would make a great companion to your lesson on making decisions and opportunity risks. Learners watch a PowerPoint before answering multiple choice questions about interest rates, saving money, and the...
Curated OER
Welfare to Work: The States Take Charge
Students examine the Work Opportunity Act of 1996. In this welfare lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the history of welfare and the passage of welfare reform. Students respond to discussion...
Curated OER
Algebra: Do You See What I See?
Students discover how to find the mean, median, and mode from sets of data. By using statistical techniques such as whisker plots and bar graphs, they display the data gleaned from problems. Individually, students complete projects...
Curated OER
A Turning Point in the Space Shuttle Program
Students study about the Columbia crew and their mission, how space shuttles work, and explore the history of the shuttle program. By accessing many websites imbedded in this plan, students gain a deep understanding of the Space Shuttle...
Curated OER
Wind Power and Your Community
Students acquire knowledge about hydropower, diesel power, wind power, and how they are currently used in the north. They share what they have learned through a jigsaw activity.
Curated OER
Taxes: Where Does Your Money Go?
Students explore the concept of taxes. In this tax instructional activity, students investigate types of taxes and deductions taken out of a paycheck before they see it. Students calculate the tax on a given dollar amount. Students...