ProCon
Social Security Privatization
Should Social Security be privatized, or is the government program fine just the way it is? Scholars read pro and con arguments and watch videos to learn more about the debate topic. Pupils also have an opportunity to interact with other...
iCivics
Government Spending
After discussing personal financing with your class, consider following up with this well-rounded introduction to government spending. The resource includes reading documents and worksheets, and covers topics as the federal deficit and...
Council for Economic Education
The Role of Government: The Federal Government and Fiscal Policy
Give learners a crash course in balancing the books on the United States federal government level with an economics and government resource. Class members engage in a warm-up discussion and brainstorming session before answering...
Curated OER
Taxes in U.S. History: The Social Security Act of 1935
Students explain the history of the Social Security Act and the FICA tax. They describe what Social Security is and whom it is intended to help. They explain the purpose of the FICA tax.
Federal Reserve Bank
The Fed’s Toolbox
This lesson is packed with instructional material and activities on the Federal Reserve System, monetary policy, and the relationship between bank reserves, interest rates, employment, and price stability.
Curated OER
The Five W's of Tax Day
Use April 15th to teach your students the fundamentals of the American federal tax system.
Curated OER
An Introduction to the Federal Reserve
Students examine the Federal Reserve System. For this secondary economics lesson, students view a DVD titled In Plain English: Making Sense of the Federal Reserve. Students take notes and work in groups to review the information. ...
Curated OER
Grandpa's Social Security
Students examine social security and how the process works at different ages.In this retirement lesson students determine how long a retired person has to live to get the same benefits at different ages.
Federal Reserve Bank
Government Spending and Taxes
What types of government programs are designed to improve economic inequity in the United States? Introduce your learners to government programs, such as low-income housing, Social Security, and Medicaid, how they work to improve...
Federal Reserve Bank
Quantitative Easing Explained
Dig deeper into the financial crisis of 2008 in the United States and actions taken by the federal government, including the bailouts and purchase of institutions as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to bolster financial market conditions.
The New York Times
Understanding the Mathematics of the Fiscal Cliff
What exactly is the fiscal cliff? What are the effects of changing income tax rates and payroll tax rates? Your learners will begin by reading news articles and examining graphs illustrating the "Bush tax cuts" of 2001 and 2003. They...
Curated OER
The Social Security Act
Learners examine the Social Security Act of 1935. In this U.S. history lesson, students research primary sources in order to prepare for a mock debate of the act prior to it becoming legislation.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Federal Policy and Immigration
How is federal policy established? To gain insight into this complex and often messy process, class members read an article that uses information on attempts to establish public policy in immigration to illustrate the role proposed...
Curated OER
Should America Balance the Federal Budget?
Young scholars analyze the federal budget of the United States. In this national debt lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the balancing the federal budget. Young scholars respond to...
Curated OER
Corporate Governance
Examine the role of the Securities Exchange Commission. Upper graders watch a short Bill Moyers video, analyze a political cartoon, complete a graphic organizer on the SEC, and develop SEC reform strategies to rebuild investor confidence.
Internal Revenue Service
Module 1: Payroll Taxes and Federal Income Tax Withholding
Students complete lessons and worksheet to identify the different types and uses of payroll taxes. They examine how federal income taxes are used, determine the difference between gross and net pay, and determine how employers withhold...
Curated OER
Taxes and Social Security
Students practice filling out the United States Federal 1040EZ tax form and share examples in a class discussion. A written exam is provided to help assess cumulative comprehension.
NY Learns
Taxes and Social Security
In an effort to help prepare teens for the realities of taxes, the teacher fills out a sample 1040EZ while it's projected for the class to see. This is part of a unit on taxes and social security that culminates in a 50+ question test...
College Board
2001 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions
The European Union has had a profound effect on world economic dynamics. A structured inquiry investigates its impacts on global interest rates. Other authentic testing materials from College Board explore banking reserve requirements...
College Board
2002 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions
Imagine the United States is experiencing an unusually high unemployment rate. What options does the federal government have to kick-start the economy? Learners consider the question with a structured prompt. Other questions examine...
College Board
2004 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions
The Federal Reserve guides banking policy for the country. Learners consider the effects of its force using authentic materials from College Board. Other practice problems examine the connection of national savings rates and interest...
College Board
2014 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions
What is the role of the Federal Reserve? Scholars consider how the bank works behind the scenes of the economy using authentic College Board materials. Other questions consider the impact of inflation on trade with a friendly partner and...
College Board
2011 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions
Foreign exchange rates have a ripple effect on economies worldwide. A case study asks scholars to examine what would happen to international investment and capital after tweaking variables that can ricochet around the world. A second...
Visa
Nothing But Net: Understanding Your Take Home Pay
Introduce your young adults to the important understanding that the money they receive from their paychecks is a net amount as a result of deductions from taxes. Other topics covered include federal, state, Medicare and social security...