Common Cents

Discuss the meaning of this quote: "Let me remind you that credit is the lifeblood of business, the lifeblood of prices and jobs." - Herbert Hoover

Another name for the Bank Panic of 1907 was the Knickerbocker Crisis.

Use the Core Concepts Cards net worth calculator, available at www.federalreserveeducation.org/resources/coreconcepts/worksheets/whatsyournet, to figure your net worth. How can you increase assets or decrease liabilities to add value to your net worth?

Discuss this quote: "As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand." - Josh Billings

If a company produced 10 items at $7 per item and sold all 10 at $8.50 each, what is the profit for the producer? (10 x $1.50 = $15)

Imagine your school district does not have enough money in its budget to provide all the services necessary to run your local schools. Assuming the role of the president of the school board, brainstorm a list of all the benefits of a tax increase. Then consider the perspective of a taxpayer against the increase and make a list of the monetary costs. Use the lists for a classroom debate on the topic.

Introduce the concepts of income and expenses. Give students the following scenario: Your family has decided to take a summer vacation to Disney World. You are responsible for earning money to spend on park passes and souvenirs during the trip. Brainstorm three ways to earn money and estimate approximately how much income you might receive from each activity. Write a letter to your parents explaining your fundraising plans.

Working in groups, use restaurant menus to pick something to order and then calculate the sales tax on the order. Report the cost with tax and figure the tip using the tax rate as a guide.

Read Earth Day-Hooray! by Stuart Murphy. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of incentives in the story: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/EarthDayHooray.pdf

Taylor purchased candy bars from the store at 50 cents each. She wants to sell them at school after lunch for $1 each. From what you've learned about supply and demand, what advice would you give Taylor regarding her price?

Discuss that not all organizations are required to pay taxes to the government. These include schools, churches and not-for-profit groups, such as scouts, animal protection agencies and charities. Ask the class for reasons why these organizations are tax-exempt and whether they think this is fair to everyone else. Have students write a letter to the school newspaper explaining their opinion.

Compare three different credit card offers. Make a chart showing the similarities and differences of each. Decide which offer is best for you and present your information tothe class.

Make up a rap about regretting a buying decision (buyer's remorse) and wishing you had purchased your opportunity cost instead. Perform it for the class.

A crayon factory increases its production in the months before school starts each year. If the factory produces 2,000 boxes of crayons in each five-day week for 12 weeks, how many total boxes are manufactured? (2,000 x 5=10,000 x 12=120,000)

Read Uncle Jed's Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/UncleJedsBarbershop.pdf.

Change the lyrics of a popular song so that they now convince someone to keep their liabilities low for better financial health.

Research the household savings rates of several different countries. Make a chart comparing the rates. Which country's rate is the highest? What are some possible reasons for this?

Currency is printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (in Washington, DC or Fort Worth, TX) and then shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution to local banks when needed. Find these locations and the Federal Reserve office closest to you on a U.S. map.

Create a consumer profile, such as a 20-year-old college athlete, and make a collage of products or services using newspaper, magazine ads and/or computer-generated images that would appeal to that type of consumer.

Discuss famous entrepreneurs that students are familiar with, such as Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney and J.K. Rowling. Look at: www.thelittlee.com/html/famous_entrepreneurs.html and ask students to choose one entrepreneur they are impressed with to research and share with the class.

Develop a chart listing 10 tips that will help the environment through protecting natural resources. (Example: Pick up litter along trails and waterways.)

Two friends set up a lemonade stand, charging 75 cents for two glasses sold. They lowered their price to 60 cents, selling four glasses. Their final price of 50 cents sold six glasses. Create a demand graph that shows this information. What was the twins' total revenue? ($6.90)

Discuss this proverb: "It is a wise man who lives with money in the bank, it is a fool who dies that way."

Which is greater: $1 million, or a penny that doubles in value for 30 days? Use a calculator to figure out the compound interest of the doubling penny by taking each new total and multiplying by 2 to double. (The final total for the doubling penny is $5,368,709.12)

How do students buy their goods and services? How many shop online versus going to brick-and-mortar stores? Discuss the use of shopping apps and how they help in comparing prices. Do students ever use apps to comparison shop?

Discuss this quote: "A man with a surplus can control circumstances, but a man without a surplus is controlled by them, and often has no opportunity to exercise judgment." - Marshall Field

Draw pictures that represent financial words and write the definitions of the words on the opposite side. Save these financial flashcards to use for review. Suggested words: bank, save, deposit, withdrawal, interest, emergency fund, short-term goal, long-term goal.

Introduce the stock market as a market in which the public buys and sells stock, or shares of ownership in companies. Brainstorm companies that students are familiar with (such as McDonalds, Nike, Toys R Us, etc.) and ask students to nominate the five best choices for stock purchases. Discuss the reasons for their picks.

Use the above activity to develop small group businesses with four to five students. Each group should decide on their product, follow the production steps and sell the products to classmates using fake money. Students may choose to incorporate marketing techniques to increase sales. Groups should give a final business report, noting profit/loss, to the class.

Assume the identity of a superhero or a credit villain in the Kansas City Fed's role play Professor Finance and Fed Boy Meet the Catastrophe Clan to learn about the use and misuse of credit and how the CARD Act protects consumers. http://bit.ly/13jzWzX

Read the book Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Saturday to introduce saving money. Start with Alexander's dollar on the board and subtract the amount of his purchases throughout the story. Discuss Alexander's spending decisions.

Economic growth occurs with an increase in productivity, which is the amount of outputs (goods and services) produced per unit of input (resources). Form an assembly line production of bookmarks in class, and then try to increase productivity with more efficient assembly techniques.

Write and perform a skit that tells the story of how banking may have begun. Read the Boston Fed's Banking Basics for one description of the world's first lenders as a reference.http://bit.ly/11ksT7e

Design a trophy celebrating an important export from your state and explain your choice and reasoning with the class.

Use the FDIC's EDIE the Estimator tool to explore how FDIC insurance protects depositors. Try the simulator using varying deposit balances to determine the FDIC coverage limit for a single account. Check your answer by reviewing the page's Deposit Insurance FAQs. http://1.usa.gov/YVeeTe

What financial institution lending practices led to the establishment of the Community Reinvestment Act? Why is the CRA important to bankers and consumers today?

Introduce the concepts of imports and exports. Learn the top three imports and exports of your state by visiting: www.census.gov/foreigntrade/statistics/state/data/index.html. Discuss possible reasons why these resources made the top of the list. Choose a neighboring state and do the same research. Create two Venn diagrams comparing both states' imports and exports.

In groups, construct story problems that feature characters needing to calculate amounts to save or spend. Example: Joe wants to save $500 for a trip to Chicago in six months. How much does he need to save each week to meet his goal?

In professional sports, a trade is a sports league transaction involving and exchange of players' contracts and/or draft picks. Have students research a sports trade in the NBA. Ask them to write a summary of the trade deal, including the advantages and disadvantages for the teams and/or players involved.

Summarize the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. What was the cost of Little Red ignoring her mother's advice on her way to Grandmother's house? What would have been the benefit ifshe had listened?

Read Isabel's Car Wash by Sheila Bair and Judy Stead. Discuss how Isabel started her car wash with help from investors, who became part owners with her. Did the car wash earn a profit or show a loss in the story?

Gather pictures from magazine, local newspaper articles, chamber of commerce promotional material, etc., and create individual or group collages that represent the economy of theregion where you live. Be sure to include the natural, human and capital resources of your area.

Discuss that many economic scenarios can cause either a shortage or surplus of used cars. Ask students to brainstorm situations where a used car shortage might develop and where a used car surplus might develop. If you were a used car dealer, what would you do to avoid a large surplus or shortage?

Discuss the difference between fixed expenses (those costs that do not change) and variable expenses (those costs that can change). Ask students to interview a parent to discover what fixed and variable expenses they pay monthly. Report findings to the class.

Read the original Federal Reserve Act, signed Dec. 23, 1913. Write down four key facts about the founding of the Federal Reserve System from the primary source document, available from the Librarians' Society of Washington, D.C. http://bit.ly/18qbUEL.

Introduce the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection as our nation's consumer protection agency. Its job is to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices. Have students research the seven divisions of this agency by going to: www.ftc.gov/bcp/about.shtm. Discuss the importance of each division to consumers.

Introduce the first two principles: People choose and people's choices involve costs. Explain that opportunity cost is a person's second-best choice that is given up when the first choice is made. Ask students to give examples of choices they make during a school day, such as lunch and recess options, and name the cost and benefits of each choice.

In preparation for homecoming, identify what is needed for the event. Then divide the list of items into goods and services. Rank the list in order of importance to you. What goods and services could you give up if you were on a limited budget?

Examine currency from other countries and see what it can reveal about their culture and economy with the Cleveland Fed's Explore Money from Around the World online activity. http://bit.ly/11MDk3I

Some areas routinely experience water shortages. List the ways you use water every day. How could you cut down your usage or recycle water to help reduce water shortages? Create a public service announcement featuring your water saving ideas.

Jay Eagle from the Kansas City Fed is flying throughout the Tenth District. Learn more about Jay and how to have him visit your classroom at jay.kcfed.org.

A bear market is one where stocks steadily decline and investors are motivated to sell; a bull market is one where stocks are steadily increasing with investors' optimism. Ask students to design two new symbols (animal or other) to replace the bear and bull images and share why their symbols are good representations of these markets.

Uncover how and why the Federal Reserve expanded its balance sheet during the recent recession and financial crisis in the Philadelphia Fed's resource It's Not Your Mother and Father's Monetary Policy Anymore: The Federal Reserve and FinancialCrisis Relief. http://bit.ly/19gvxBB

Brainstorms items of value that people invest in, such as real estate, gold, art, coins and jewelry. Ask students to write an essay discussing whether they think these options are better investment areas than the stock market and give their reasons for their opinions.

Develop a list of economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of developing a new city park. Develop another list for the development of a large chain store like Wal-Mart in the same area. How are the costs and benefits the same or different?

Ask students to make a list of items that they would like to purchase in six months, including the estimated cost. Ask them to select on item and divide the cost by 6 for a monthly amount to save. Have them divide the monthly amount by 4 for a weekly savings amount. Ask if it would be a realistic weekly savings goal. If not, what would they do to make this a goal they could reach?

Read Pickle Patch Bath Tub by Frances Kennedy. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of income in the story: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/PicklepatchBathTub.pdf

Research and record the population of five different cities or communities within your region. Develop a bar graph to compare the population results. Discuss how the population of an area can affect its economy, in terms of jobs and housing.

Read Monster Musical Chairs by Stuart Murphy. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of scarcity in the story: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/MonsterMusicalChairs.pdf

Read Rock, Brock and the Savings Shock by Sheila Bair. Illustrate the benefits of saving by using two clear jars, one for Rock and one for Brock, and adding or removing beans whenever the boys save or spend money.

Debate this topic: "The benefits of making financial mistakes outweigh the costs."

Research the United States' top 15 trading partners by going to: www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/topcurmon.html. Create a bar chart that shows three things: U.S. total trade with its top 15 trading partners, U.S. exports with its top 15 trading partners; and U.S. imports with its top 15 trading partners. Discuss the graph and what it shows about U.S. trade.

Place a variety of job titles with their associated incomes in a hat and then place an assortment of typical monthly expenses in another hat. Draw one job and income and five monthly expenses. Determine if the income exceeds the monthly expenses.

Starting your own business as an entrepreneur has opportunity for profit and possibility of loss. Brainstorm a list of potential businesses to start and then list possible profits and losses for one of those businesses. Debate whether the business risks are worth the rewards.

Tell students to imagine they’ve just purchased their first used car. Have them name services their car will need to run efficiently, and goods they could buy to fix up their vehicle. Ask them to go online to find auto stores that provide these goods and services with item costs.

Use the lesson plan and role play "Professor Finance and Fed Boy Meet the Catastrophe Clan" to discuss the uses and misuses of credit: http://kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/fed_boy_lesson_plan.pdf

Ask students to compose a story about becoming an entrepreneur, including the name and type of their new business and a description of the capital and human resources they'd need.

Explain the benefits as well as the costs (monetary and nonmonetary) of owning a pet. Draw a picture of three pets, listing one cost and one benefit for each.

Choose a product and research the price of that product during a 10-year period. Graph the changes over time and discuss possible reasons for those changes, such as the increasing priceof materials, a better quality product, inflation, etc.

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that refers to wants and needs. Brainstorm a class list of other songs on the topic of wants and needs.

Explore myths and realities about the Fed using primary source materials in the Atlanta Fed's lesson Myths, Tall Tales, and Urban Legends: A Lesson on the Facts Behind the Fed. http://bit.ly/YeYn1k

Learn about federal income taxes, FICA, W-4 and W-2 forms in Know your dough Lesson Two: "W" is for Wages, W-4 and W-2: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/paycheck/IYP_lesson2.pdf.

Introduce the definitions for save and spend. Describe short-term savings goals as items students want that will require saving for several months. Ask students to choose an item as a savings goal, estimate the cost of the item and figure the amount they would have to save weekly to reach their goal. Have students share their goals and savings plans with the class.

Read Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of short and long-term savings goals: www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/Bunny-Money-Lesson-Plan.pdf.

Use GeoFRED from the St. Louis Fed to examine economic data for your state. How does your state's unemployment rate today compare with what it was in May 2009? http://bit.ly/13R3yWW

View the American Currency Exhibit on the San Francisco Fed's website to explore currency from throughout our nation's history. Choose two bills from different eras and create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast bill symbols and features. http://bit.ly/1922F3l

Review the credit scenarios from the Dallas Fed's Building Wealth in the Classroom, Lesson 9. Choose one and decide whether the teen described should borrow money. Write a short persuasive essay with reasons to support your answer. http://bit.ly/10IsJHM

Read The Panic of 1907 by the Boston Fed. Write a skit titled "We Survived the Bank Panic," describing the thoughts and emotions that people may feel as they wait in line to withdraw money before their bank closes for business. http://bit.ly/1840vMy

Ask students to work with a partner on the following income/expenses problem: You want to convince your family to buy a new computer to replace the outdated one at home. Create a visual that gives family members ideas on how to cut monthly expenses (such as food, clothing and entertainment) in order to save income for the purchase.

Read Saturday Sancocho by Leyla Torres. Use the related children's literature lesson from the St. Louis Fed to learn about the advantages of paying money over bartering for goods.http://bit.ly/18D0u5U

Brainstorm types of financial emergencies (car break-downs, medical problems, home repairs, etc.). Discuss why it is important to have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.

Brainstorm a list of careers or jobs that are associated with taxes (such as accountant). Research one of these careers to learn about the education qualifications, income level and demand for the job.

Discuss this quote: "The strongest bank in the United States will last only as long as people have sufficient confidence in it to keep their money there." - Carter G. Woodson

Use Lesson 2: "W Is for Wages, W4 and W2" at www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/paycheck/IYP_lesson2.pdf to learn about gross pay, net pay and the different deductions that are taken from paychecks.

Choose a job and research its income in two different countries. (Example: a starting teacher in Mexico is paid $10,465 a year, while a starting teacher in Canada is paid $35,400 a year.) Discuss why the same job can have different salary levels in different countries.

Invite someone in sales to speak about the skills necessary to be a successful salesperson.

Use actual coins to show that quarters are 1/4 of a dollar, dimes are 1/10 of a dollar, nickels are 1/20, and pennies are 1/100. Use coins to add fractions to see if you have enough money to pay for sample small items.

Discuss the meaning of this scarcity quote: "There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen." - Wayne Dyer

Add together all the bill denominations currently in circulation. What is your dollar total? ($1+$2+$5+$10+$20+$50+$100=$188)

What does Penny Pigeon learn about saving and building assets? Read the Financial Fable Penny Pigeon and the Missing Nest Egg to find out at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/education/fables/index.cfm.

Read Supermarket by Kathleen Krull. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss how technology has changed markets: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/supermarket.pdf

A class of 28 students earned popsicles. The teacher bought 2 boxes of popsicles, with 12 in each box. How many more popsicles does the teacher need to avoid a scarcity in her classroom? (4 more)

Use magazine pictures to create a collage of future wants. Develop a budget that includes long term savings goals to purchase these items within the next five to 10 years.

Discuss the correlation between a country's resources and what goods they export and import. Have students choose countries, research their major resources, exports and imports, and share their findings. Discuss which countries might make good trading partners.

Think of people at school who are producers. One example might be cafeteria workers who produce breakfast and lunch for students. Others could be a custodian, principal, administrative assistant or any teacher. Make a list of these producers and the goods or services they offer. Ask each student to write a thank-you note to one of these producers.

Political cartoons show opinions. Look at the cartoons featured throughout the Kansas City Fed's Balance of Power, Under Pressure, or Integrity, Fairness and Resolve books. Create an original political cartoon related to the Federal Reserve and explain your message.http://bit.ly/11CEUqr

The American economic system has tax laws that influence people's behavior. For example, a sales tax increase at restaurants might influence people to stop eating out. Write an essay on how a response to tax increases could have future consequences for businesses.

Use the lesson plan and role play for "Payment Parliament" to teach students about the many ways we pay for goods and services: www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/Payment%20Parliament.pdf.

Cut magazine or catalog pictures of natural, human and capital resources and place them randomly into paper bags. Divide students into groups and give each group a resource bag. Ask them to create a new business using their resources and share how each resource is used within their business to produce a product.

Download the St. Louis Fed's Econ Ed Mobile App to explore the cost of using credit. Learn how interest is calculated, and then use the Credit Cost Calculator to see how interest ratesaffect monthly payments and the total cost of a purchase. http://bit.ly/11zNwSM

Discuss this quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". - Franklin D. Roosevelt. How could these words relate to bank panics?

Introduce the economic meanings of cost and benefit. Discuss that both are not always money-related, using the example of the costs and benefits of doing homework. Have students brainstorm a list of costs (losses) and benefits (gains) they experience by doing their homework. Take a vote to decide if the costs outweigh the benefits or vice versa.

Your credit report is like a report card. It is used to calculate your credit score. You can receive one free credit report every twelve months from each of the nationwide credit bureaus-Equifax, Experian, and Transunion-by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

Solve this income problem: Jay shoveled snow for five neighbors on his block. He earned $10 from two of them, $12 from the third, and $15 from the fourth and fifth. What was his income total? What was his average income from each shoveling job? (Total income: $62.00. Average income per job $12.40)

Take turns pantomiming workers performing service type jobs, such as bus driver, construction worker, chef, etc. Have the class try to guess which services are being acted out.

Discuss the word "panic" and brainstorm situations in which people may panic (severe weather, accidents, fire, etc.) How do you feel when you panic? Why could these feelings cause you to take actions you normally wouldn't? Relate these feelings to bank panics.

How do high levels of employment affect economic growth?

Read Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder to learn about factors of production, which can lead to economic growth. Draw a flow chart that shows the inputs (productive resources) necessary to create chocolate chip cookies (outputs). http://bit.ly/120lmuN

Look closely at a one-dollar bill. What symbols and words do you see that connect this bill with the Federal Reserve?

Research the new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) at: www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/wyntk_creditcardrules.htm. What rule targets underage consumers? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this rule for college students.

Research the concept of balance of trade. Define this term and explain what it means to the U.S. economy.

Write and perform a skit showing the impact of incentives on changing poor cafeteria behavior.

Discuss this quote: "Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States." Ronald Reagan

Read The Goat in the Rug by Charles Blook and Martin Link. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of resources in the story: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/GoatintheRug.pdf

Discuss the fact that $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills have all been redesigned by the Treasury and will be updated again in the future. What is the incentive for our government to do this redesigning?

Have students list all the extra-curricular activities they could participate in for the first semester, including sports, clubs and competitions. Discuss that scarcity of time forces them to choose between several activities they may be interested in.

Your credit card company sets your minimum payment at 2% of your balance. If you have a $1,000 balance on your credit card, what will your minimum payment be? (answer: $20). (Keep in mind, if you only pay the minimum balance most of your payment goestoward interest.)

The St. Louis Fed offers instant message simulations on a variety of personal finance topics. Try one and learn about how to open a bank account. http://bit.ly/14C0qf1

Discuss investing in a savings account to earn interest (payment made for the use of your money). Show how interest is compounded. For example: $100x5% annual interest = $105 in a year 1; $105x5% annual interest = $110.25 in year 2; $110.25x5% annual interest = $115.76 in year 3. Ask students to use calculators to figure the savings account totals in years 4 and 5. (Year 4 = $121.55; Year 5 = $127.63)

Watch the Economic Lowdown video on equilibrium at: http://www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/podcasts/economic_lowdown_video_3.cfm. How do the concepts of surplus and shortage relate to market equilibrium?

Discuss the use of income to purchase holiday gifts and ask students to make a list of five items they'd like to buy for friends, including the price of each gift. Looking at the total amount they'll need, will they earn enough income to make purchases? How might they earn more money to complete their shopping?

What is the value of the largest note ever printed? ($100,000) Which president was on the bill? (Woodrow Wilson)

Look carefully at a picture of a $10 bill. Identify the following features that make the bill legal currency: denomination amount; presidential portrait; serial numbers; Federal Reserve and Treasury seals; important signature. Ask students to look for additional features and discuss.

Create a collage using magazine pictures of items you'd like to purchase in the future. Narrow your choices to two favorites. What would your final choice/opportunity cost be?

Develop a budget for a classic picnic. Use grocery ads to plan a meal for 20 students that includes an entrêe, two sides and a dessert, for $50 or less

Learn about the sectors of the Federal Reserve's Beige Book in the lesson Exploring Economic Sectors, available at: www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/Exploring-Economic-Sectors.pdf. Use the discussion questions provided for each sector to explore the concepts of supply and demand.

Write about the problem that occurs when people do not recycle resources and the resulting opportunity cost on the environment.

Ask students to design the "Market of the Future" by drawing a blueprint of their dream store. Have them include basic food departments and cashier areas, and then add original areas to make their market unique.

Introduce the concepts of profit and loss. Organize a classroom business selling a food or craft product. Have students figure the cost of materials (expenses); create the products; and decide on a selling price (income) to make a profit. Invite another class to view and buy the products using fake money. After the sale, have students figure the class profit/loss based onthis formula: total income - total expenses = profit.

Calculate the monetary costs and benefits of running a lemonade stand using the following assumptions: mix that makes 32-oz. of lemonade costs $3 per container and a package of 50 8-oz. cups is $5. You sell 48 8-oz. cups for $2 each. (costs=$44, benefits=$96)

Jennifer sells craft items for extra income. She sold $236 worth of items in October, $348 in November, and $559 in December. What was her income for the three months? ($1142) What was her average income from crafts monthly? ($381)

Research and list the components of GDP by expenditure. What is the largest component of U.S. GDP? (consumption)

Compose a song or a rap about being a "savvy shopper." Include verses about comparison shopping, purchasing quality vs. quantity, and avoiding buyer's remorse.

Discuss the importance of the following quote to those who run their own business: "In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield." - Warren Buffett

Discuss homecoming expense choices and opportunity costs. For example, with a limited amount of money, would you choose a fancy limo for transportation? Would you spend more money for a high-dollar outfit instead? Or would you spend your dollars on an expensive restaurant meal before the dance? Discuss the reasoning behind your decisions.

Explain the meaning of the following quote: "Our necessities never equal our wants." - Benjamin Franklin

Discuss capital resources in the area of technology by brainstorming types of technological resources used daily by students. Have students rank these devices by importance in their lives. Which of these capital resources could they do without? How would they compensate?

Read Meet Kit: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp. Use the children's literature lesson from the St. Louis Fed to role play the effect that unemployment and reduced spending can have onpeople's lives during a recession. http://bit.ly/12Bxppn

Read A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss how part of the family income was saved to reach a goal: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/ChairForMother.pdf.

Use the lesson "M&M Interesting," found at http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/lessons/M&M6-8.pdf# to learn about the advantages of compound interest. Discuss why it is important to start a savings account while you are young.

Why do bank panics often lead to recessions or larger financial upheavals?

Find auto loan 36-month interest rates for a used car from three banks. Record the rates and any additional fees or conditions from each bank. Discuss which bank you would choose to finance your car loan and give reasons why.

Display items manufactured by different countries, such as electronics, food products and clothing. Ask students to list the manufacturing country of each good. Have them locate these countries on a large blank world map, using one dot per manufactured good. Discuss reasons why some countries may have more dots than others.

Discuss the growing threat of identity theft. Ask students to write tips for consumers to follow in keeping their identity safe. (Example: Memorize your Social Security number so you won't need to carry your card with you.)

Invite a small business owner to speak to the class. Ask students to prepare interview questions about the assets and liabilities most business owners have and ways to increase thenet worth of a business.

Brainstorm ways students can earn income and make a chart of ideas. (Examples: allowance, chores, birthday/holiday gifts, garage sales, etc.) Ask students to set future savings goals (for things they will spend their income on) and share with the class.

Research the characteristics of a savings account, certificate ofdeposit, money market account and savings bond. Using the scenarioof a short-term savings goal, decide which one would be the bestplace for your money and explain your reasoning.

Debate the pros and cons of using money as an incentive for getting higher grades. Is this a good practice? Will this encourage students to work harder for grades?

Explain that smart consumers are aware of how advertising affects them, how to protect their information, and how to spot scams. Practice these skills by going to: www.ftc.gov/youarehere to visit a virtual mall and make smart financial decisions.

Consumers can pay for purchases by using cash, checks, debit or credit cards. Use the lesson and role play for "Payment Parliament": www.kansascityfed.org/education to introduce these different forms of payments to students.

Brainstorm the qualities that create credit worthiness. Assume the role of loan officers and review the credit histories of several fictitious individual who are requesting a loan. Decide to approve or reject the requests and provide rationale.

Introduce wants and needs and give examples of each concept. Tell the students that they will be planning a picnic lunch and will make a chart of wants and needs for the picnic. Draw a T-chart on the board, labeling one side "Needs" and the other "Wants." Ask students for ideas to complete the chart, telling whether each idea is a need or a want.

Interview family members or neighbors about the recent recession and any changes or effects it had on their lifestyles. Report your findings to the class.

Use the limerick below to introduce surpluses and shortages. Ask students to make up their own poem about surpluses and shortages to share. There once was a price just too high,So that no one would bother to buy.On the shelf the stuff sat,Gathered dust like a floor mat.A surplus needs a lower price-that's why! And then there was a price oh so low,That folks stood in a long line, oh no!But the shelves were soon bare,Those still waiting sure cared.A higher price would have solvedtheir shortage woes.

What could happen to the price of gasoline if demand increases worldwide? Will prices increase or decrease? What could happen to the price if new oil pipelines add to the supply of gasoline? Will prices increase or decrease?

Explain why the United States, Canada and Mexico all gain from voluntary trade among their countries.

Ask students if they have ever run a lemonade stand. Point out that this is an example of a market, where buyers purchase lemonade from sellers. Discuss how sellers set their prices so buyers are willing to purchase. Ask students to give examples of goods from other types of markets they have visited, such as farmers markets, flea markets and garage sales.

Opportunity cost is the next best choice given up when making a decision. Write and perform a skit where the main character makes a decision on whether to take a part-time job. Make sure to include the opportunity cost.

Use the role play There's No Business Like Bank Business toexplore the benefits of saving money in a bank:www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/Bank_Business_script.pdf.

Write a haiku on the importance of paying yourself first.

What does a camel have to do with bank supervision and regulation? Find out by reserving the Kansas City Fed's Fed Detective traveling trunk for elementary and middle schoolclassrooms. http://bit.ly/14E67M2

Use the above activity to develop small group businesses with four to five students. Each group should decide on their product, follow the production steps and sell the products to classmates using fake money. Students may choose to incorporate marketing techniques to increase sales. Groups should give a final business report, noting profit/loss, to the class.

Introduce the three types of resources, giving examples of each:Natural - gifts of nature used to make goods and services;Human - workers who make goods and provide services;Capital - goods made and used to provide other goods and services.Hand out magazines and have students find pictures of each type of resource. Use images to create a class resource poster with three columns labeled for the different resource types.

Give students a sample budget of expenses for a family. Have them identify the fixed expenses (the same amount monthly) and the variable expenses (a changing amount monthly). Ask students to draw sentences out of a hat representing events that might change a monthly budget, such as buying holiday gifts or fixing a flat tire. Have the students identify whether the expense is fixed or variable and then modify the budget to incorporate the added expense.

Play the online game Pursuit: On the Trail of Economic Growth from the Boston Fed with a small group or individually. This game traces the economic growth of New England throughout history. What events shaped the growth of this area? http://bit.ly/190VJ2L

As entrepreneurs invent new products, they often make former products obsolete, or out of date and no longer used. An example of this would be the typewriter, which is now rare because of computer word processing. This concept is called "creative destruction." Ask students to brainstorm and discuss other examples of creative destruction due to new inventions.

Using your local newspaper, find three advertisements for products. List examples of marketing techniques that producers use to entice customers to buy their products, suchas bargain prices or use of brand names. Share your results.

Justin's assets are a $250 bike, a $1299 computer, and $582 in savings. His liabilities are $475 owed on a loan for the computer and $138 owed to his mom. Add Justin's assets and subtract his liabilities from the total. What is Justin's net worth? ($2131 - $613 = $1518)

Read The Pickle Patch Bathtub by Frances Kennedy. Use the St. Louis Fed's children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of developing a plan to achieve your savings goal: http://bit.ly/12LedV1

Explain the wisdom of this quote: "If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it."

Professionals like lawyers and accountants may trade services, such as an accountant preparing a lawyer's taxes and a lawyer handling a legal matter from the accountant. Write a short news article about the costs and benefits of trading services.

Think of a time when you paid for an expense you planned to buy (food, school supplies, etc.) and one you didn't plan to buy (spur-of-the-moment purchase.) Write a song that explains which was the better decision and why.

Learn how a bank operates as a business in the Kansas City Fed's There's No Business like Bank Business activity. http://bit.ly/150sooC

You are a producer of a new and unique athletic shoe. Develop a poster or commercial to advertise your amazing shoe.

View a short clip depicting a bank run from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life. Describe in a paragraph or two how depositors make poor decisions when they fear their bank is failing.

Explain a market economy as an economy that operates by voluntary exchange between buyers and sellers in a free market not planned or controlled by government. Ask students to research this and other types, such as traditional and command economies: http://www.councilforeconed.org/resources/lessons/whateconisabout-sample.pdf. Discuss the differences in the three economies and why a market economy works best in our country.

Would you want to bank at an unregulated bank? Give a two-minute oral presentation explaining your position.

Discuss the stock market as a public place to invest dollars in stocks, or shares of ownership in a company. Go to: www.essortment.com/invest-money-mutual-funds-stocks-17734.html to learn about stocks vs. mutual funds. Which type of stock would you invest in? Give reasons for your answers.

Use the lesson plan and role play for "There's No Business Like Bank Business" to teach students the concept of how banks operate as a business: www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/No_Business_lesson.pdf and www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/Bank_Business_script.pdf.

Watch the Economic Lowdown video on demand at: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/podcasts/economic_lowdown_video_2.cfm. Take notes on the six ways demand can change, giving an example for each. Create and present a skit showing the effects of supply and demand on the purchase of the newest cell phone, tablet or electronic device.

Discuss opportunity costs in buying school supplies with students. What backpack choices did they make, and what designs were their second choices? Did they consider mechanical pencils vs. regular pencils? Did they choose markers or crayons? Talk about how they made their decisions.

Just for fun, try saying this tongue twister quickly three times: Skyler scored the scarce scholarship.

Compare the unit price, or cost per item, of products. To find unit price, divide the price by the number of pieces, ounces or pounds. What would be the unit price for a 20 pound bag of dog food priced at $15? ($.75 per pound)

Use the school cafeteria as an example of a business that provides goods and services. Tell students that goods are things that satisfy wants, such as food and utensils. Services are activities that satisfy wants, such as cooking the food and cleaning the cafeteria. Ask students to draw cafeteria foods or other goods on one side of art paper and activities or services on the other side.

Make a list of incentives that would persuade you to complete the task of cleaning your bedroom from top to bottom. Which of these incentives would your parents agree to?

The following statements are common descriptions of credit. Discuss each example and use one as a topic for a creative story.Credit is your reputation for financial responsibility.Credit is the time allowed for payment for something sold on trust.Credit is a source of revenue for financial institutions.Credit is NOT more money; it is "tomorrow's" money.

If you had to choose a president for a new $200 bill, which choice would you select and which would be your opportunity cost? A) John Kennedy or B) Franklin Roosevelt. Have students discuss why they made their choice.

Think you have what it takes to steer our country's central bank? Play the Chair the Fed game from the San Francisco Fed to try your hand at monetary policy. http://sffed-education.org/chairthefed/default.html

Research Mattel, Hasbro or other toy companies to see how they determine what toys to produce and supply to retail stores. Use the information you find to predict what toys might be popular in 2020.

Trivia: Eldercare services are predicted to be one of the most profitable business opportunities in 2012-2013 due to a boom in the elderly population and longer overall life spans.

The start-up costs for your lemonade business includes $1.99 for the mix and $2.50 for the cups. If you sell each cup for $.60, how many cups do you need to sell to make a profit? (At least 8 cups.)

Create a rap or song titled, "Invest in Yourself." Include all the ways to invest in your human capital, such as more education, training and practicing to gain experience, and taking care of your health. Perform your verses for the class.

Learn about market equilibrium, or the point at which there is no shortage or surplus of a good or service, by watching the third episode of the Economic Lowdown Video Companion Series at: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/video_podcasts.cfm.

List all the concepts from this planner on the board and number them. Number the sections of a beach ball similarly. Toss the ball to the class. Whoever catches it should explain the concept with the number closest to their right thumb. Repeat.

How do students buy their goods and services? How many shop online versus going to brick-and-mortar stores? Discuss the use of shopping apps and how they help in comparing prices. Do students ever use apps to comparison shop?

Read Saving Strawberry Farm by Deborah Hopkinson. Use the children's literature lesson from the St. Louis Fed to simulate a bank run. http://bit.ly/138xL3x

Entertainment purchases can be a budget downfall. Brainstorm a list of 10 budget-friendly ideas for family entertainment that cost $5 or less.

Discuss this quote: "I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise, what is there to defend?" - Robert Redford

Write and perform a skit that explores the concept of fair trade, which aims to help producers in developing countries receive higher prices for their goods and improve social and environmental standards. Include advantages and disadvantages to fair trade policies.

Would you accept a cow as payment? Learn about the four characteristics of money and evaluate various forms of money, including cows, that were used as currency in earlier times by reviewing Kansas City Fed's lesson Early Forms of Money. http://bit.ly/1a8sTip

What key historical events led to the establishment of the Federal Reserve System?

Ask students to inventory their personal assets and liabilities and develop a graphic organizer with their results. Have them rate their personal financial situation as great, okay or needing improvement. Tell them to write three goals for their financial health in the next year.

Watch Katrina's Classroom from the Atlanta Fed to understand how natural disasters can affect banking services. Write a creative story about leaving your home due to a natural disaster and the steps you would take to be financially stable during this time.http://bit.ly/14C0lYK

Use the Recession Lesson "Navigating the Fear of the Unknown" (http://kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/RecessionLesson-EconomicUncertainty.pdf) to learn about the role that economic uncertainty played during the recent recession for businesses and consumers.

Introduce counterfeit money ("fake currency") as the major reason bills have been redesigned. Look at a real note online: www.newmoney.gov/currency/20.htm. Identify security measures placed on new U.S. currency including color, watermarks and micro-printing.

Discuss "interest" as "payments made for the use of money." Ask students if they think earning interest when they deposit money in a savings account is a good incentive to save. Why or why not?

The Fed is the lender of last resort to financial institutions. Watch Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke explain this role in lecture one of The Federal Reserve and the Financial Crisis. Draw a political cartoon illustrating how the Fed might assist banks during a financialpanic. http://1.usa.gov/12Txk0q

Read My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss investing in human capital through acquiring skills and knowledge: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/MySideMountain.pdf

Why have other countries adopted mobile payments faster than the United States? Find out in the Atlanta Fed's podcast The Future of Mobile Payments. Write a description of a mobile payment option you think would work best in United States. http://bit.ly/11YTIOu

Write and perform a rap highlighting one or two of the principles you've discussed from the Guide to Economic Reasoning. Give examples explaining the principles in your lyrics.

The threat of war pushed the Federal Reserve Banks to open early because of bank panic fears. How else can war affect the economic health of a country?

When a company wants to increase their profit, they can reduce their costs (expenses) or increase their sales (income). You are the owner of a new sushi restaurant. Describe two ways to increase your sales and two ways to reduce costs.

Through a story and activities, Piggy Bank Primer introduces students to economic concepts such as saving and budgeting: http://www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/piggy_bank_primer/StudentSavingBudgeting.pdf.

Introduce the importance of weekly budgeting. Ask the class to use spending journals to track their purchases for a week. After journals are completed, students should share results for a class list of typical purchases and costs. Have students use the list to create a graph showing the areas where most purchases were made. Discuss ways to cut back on common buys to stay within their budgets.

Discuss what everyday life would be like if there was no money in circulation and we had to barter to get what we needed and wanted. Write a creative story with the title "Moneyless" to show the problems that might result.

Discuss the meaning of this quote: "An opportunity cost is an opportunity lost."

Discuss the quote: "In our rich consumers' civilization, we spin cocoons around ourselves and get possessed by our possessions." - Max Lerner

Read Free Enterprise: The Economics of Cooperation, available at www.dallasfed.org/educate/classroom.cfm, to learn about the role of businesses in a free-enterprise system.

Stores often have a surplus of holiday candy after Halloween and Valentine's Day. What methods do store managers use to quickly sell their surplus? (half-price sales; special display) Describe three new and creative ways to reduce this surplus.

Why is money deducted from your paycheck and where does it go? Learn how to read a paystub, discuss different methods for receiving wages, and discover ways to get more from your paycheck with the Kansas City Fed's Putting Your Paycheck to Work resources. http://bit.ly/17nFIa0

Discover how the recession influenced the savings habits of consumers in the Recession Lesson: "The Silver Lining of the Economic Downturn" at www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/education/teachingresources/RecessionLesson-SavingsHabits.pdf.

The mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is to make markets for consumer financial products and services, such as banking and credit, work for Americans. Research the CFPB at: www.consumerfinance.gov/regulations. Choose a regulation and share whether or not you think it is beneficial for businesses as well as consumers.

Why does it matter that the recent recession coincided with a financial crisis? Research from the Kansas City Fed that examined banking crises in Spain, Norway, Finland, Sweden andJapan found that when a recession is combined with a financial crisis unemployment increases are unusually severe and persistent. http://bit.ly/11m62Nt

The class has been earning incentive points towards a party since the beginning of the year. They've earned 576 points in 8 weeks. What was the average number of points earned each week? How many more points do they need to reach their 1000 point goal?

Develop a classroom currency to use as pay for completing projects, following rules and helping others. Discuss income earned from these tasks each week and plan a future action to spend this income at the end of the quarter, semester or year.

Use lesson 2, "W is for Wages, W4 and W2," from It's Your Paycheck personal finance curriculum to learn what deductions are taken from weekly/monthly income. Discuss why these deductions are necessary for the government and the individual. www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/paycheck/IYP_lesson2.pdf

What monetary policy tools does the Federal Reserve Bank use to regulate the money supply?

Hand out various grocery receipts to students with the sales tax blacked out. Discuss that some states tax only non-food items, while others tax both food and non-food. Have students calculate the sales tax for both situations.

Choose a country and list the natural, human and capital resources available in that geographic area. Create a business producing a good or service that uses those available resources.

Introduce the concepts of asset and liability. Brainstorm a list of students' current assets and discuss items that they would like to own as future assets. Ask students to design a tri-fold showing their assets now, possible future assets and their savings plan to get these assets.

Read Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the topic of opportunity cost in the story: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/SomethingNothing.pdf

If U.S. exports to China are worth $8 billion, and U.S. imports from China are worth $34 billion, what is the total trade amount? ($42 billion) What is the trade deficit? ($26 billion)

Use the Fifty Nifty Card Teacher Resource Guide's "Word of the Week" activity to integrate the concept of scarcity into reading, language and art: www.federalreserveeducation.org/resources/fiftynifty

Create a PACED (Problem, Alternatives, Criteria, Evaluate, Decision) grid to determine the costs and benefits of a used car decision. Possible criteria include model; year; gas mileage; and insurance costs. Visit www.econedlink.org/lessons/docs_lessons/463_PACED1.pdf for a sample grid.

Create an invention or innovation that would make life easier. Name and describe your invention. What price would you sell it for? What would your income be if you sold 100? 250? 500?

Ask students to choose a class business that might be successful in their school, such as a craft, food or entertainment business. Create a business plan, including the following: resources needed, production process, product display, advertising, pricing and labor schedule. Present the plan to your principal for approval.

Share pictures of different careers, and challenge students to analyze the costs and benefits of working in each career. Have them research information on salaries, education levels, work environment and job outlook by going to: www.bls.gov/oco/ooh_index.htm. Ask them to make a table listing this information for five careers, and then decide which career provides the most benefits and the least costs.

Bank XYZ is examined and scored every year to make sure it is following banking rules as a safe and sound place for your money. The last four scores were 3, 2, 2 and 1. What is the average score of Bank XYZ? (Answer: 2)

Are you wise about credit? Learn about developing good credit by reading the Kansas City Fed's Common Cents article "Laying the foundation for responsible credit use." Take theGet a Credit Clue quiz to see if you are credit card worthy. http://bit.ly/11Dsm65

Trivia: Did you know that the United States is the world's largest consumer of oil? No other country consumes even half as much of the 20 million barrels a day used by the United States.

Calculate this profit/loss stock statement: 100 shares of XYZ Electronics bought at $29 each + $1.50 broker fee ($2901.50); 100 shares sold at $35 each - $1.50 broker fee ($3498.50); ($3498.50-$2901.50 = $597 profit).

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces currency daily to avoid a scarcity of money. How many bills are produced in a day? A) 3,500 B) 350,000 C) 3.5 million D) 35 million Answer: (D)

Trivia: U.S. household and nonprofit organizations' liabilities, which include mortgages, consumer credit, loans and securities, totaled almost $14 billion in 2010.

Become a board member of a Federal Reserve Bank and learn about the Fed's grassroots approach to gathering regional economic information in the Atlanta Fed's simulation Monetary Policy Starts in Your Own Backyard. http://bit.ly/ZNti2r

Read Ten Mile Day by Mary Ann Fraser. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the role of production in the development of the transcontinental railroad: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/TenMileDay.pdf

Explore money from around the world by visiting the following website: www.clevelandfed.org/Learning_Center/Online_Activities/explore_money/index.cfm. Discuss money symbols and designs from several chosen countries, then vote for the most beautiful piece of currency. Ask students to redesign a U.S. dollar using more symbolism and color.

Discuss how this quote relates to entrepreneurship: "Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way." - Les Brown

How does a recession affect the circular flow of income within the economy?

Visit www.bos.frb.org/entertainment to play the online game Show Business: The Economics of Entertainment and learn about economics in the entertainment industry.

Discuss this quote: "Competition is not only the basis of protection for the consumer, but is the incentive to progress." - Herbert Hoover

Learn about entrepreneurs and economic growth through the Kansas City Fed's lesson Do I Have What it Takes to be an Entrepreneur - and is my Community Ready? Calculate the breadth and depth of entrepreneurship in your county, and discuss if your area is ready to encourage more growth. http://bit.ly/12DHl1H

Use the Kansas City Fed's Exploring Economic Sectors lesson to learn how the Federal Reserve assesses economic conditions in the United States. http://bit.ly/13mAbfu

Read Scraps of Time 1960s: Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissak. Use the children's literature lesson to learn about how taxes fund transfer programs such as Head Start and Medicaid: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/Scraps_of_time.pdf

Look at a dime and identify the portrait. Use the lesson plan, "Why is Roosevelt on the Dime" available at: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonplans/viewLP.cfm?id=29 to learn more about Franklin Roosevelt and why he was chosen for the dime.

Use the "Professor Finance and Fed Boy Meet the Catastrophe Clan" lesson: www.kansascityfed.org/education to introduce the Credit CARD Act and consumers' credit rights and responsibilities.

You have two possible babysitting jobs for Saturday - one watching 6-year-old twins for four hours at $3 an hour, and one with two kids, ages 1 and 3, for four hours at $4 an hour. How much would you earn from each job? What would your choice/opportunity cost be?

What three federal agencies regulate banks? (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency-OCC; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-FDIC; and the Federal Reserve)

Research three universities you may want to attend. Evaluate each one using a decision grid with these criteria: size, location, fields of study and tuition cost.

Ask students to keep a financial journal, writing down what they spendand save for 30 days. They should keep track of the amount they spendin one column and the amount they save in another column. At the endof the 30 days, ask them to total the amounts of each column and figurethe percentage of money they spent and the percentage they saved.

Discuss the difference between fact and opinion statements used to market a product. Hand out advertisements from magazines that contain both types of statements and ask students to identify the facts and opinions given. How can an awareness of these statements help consumers make wise choices?

Brainstorm the skills and knowledge that will be needed in the future to work as a bank teller. Write a job posting that might be used by a local bank describing the characteristics that banks will be looking for when hiring tellers.

North Dakota's oil surplus has led to a low unemployment rate and a state budget surplus. Research North Dakota's boom and write an essay about whether or not you would be interested in moving to the state under current circumstances.

When you deposit a $5 bill in the bank, will you ever see that exact $5 bill again? Draw a comic strip that shows what happens to the bill that you deposit.

Use a blank outline of your state to map your city and the major communities surrounding it. Draw images to represent the businesses and industries that are important in your region, such as a cow for agriculture or a truck for transportation.

Use the lesson plan "Currency and the Fed" to introduce students to the functions of money and the Federal Reserve System: www.stlouisfed.org/education/assets/lesson_plans/Currency&Fed.pdf. Ask students to write a brief newspaper article on how money is handled by the Federal Reserve.

Most states have created 529 plans to assist parents in saving for their children's future education. Have students research plans for the states in their region, including regulators, fees and internet options. Make a chart comparing neighboring states' 529 plans to your home state.

Why is there a lag time between the beginning of a recessionary period and when it is officially declared a recession? Answer this discussion question and more with the Kansas City Fed's Teaching Tips: Recessions 101. http://bit.ly/11ML6M3

Discuss the costs and benefits, both monetary and nonmonetary, of having a public school system. Research what it costs taxpayers per year for a student to attend public school, using your state department of education website. What are the benefits of public education? Arethere any costs? What are the benefits to taxpayers that make themwilling to share the costs? Write a brief essay explaining your ideas.

Discuss what Thomas Jefferson meant when he said, "The merchant has no country."

Design a new $500 bill with your nominee in the portrait. Remember to include legal currency details, such as denomination, serial numbers, seals and signatures. Add additional details to make your note unique.

Read Uncle Jed's Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss starting a business at: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/UncleJedsBarbershop.pdf.

Introduce the topic of credit and discuss the responsibilities of credit use. Discuss the rule of thumb that credit should not be used for purchase of basic needs (such as groceries, utilities and rent). Make two lists of goods and services. Include items that are good purchases to make with credit on one list, and on the other list detail items you do NOT want to purchase using credit.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insures bank accounts up to $250,000 per account holder. What part of $1,000,000 is $250,000? (answer: one fourth or 25%)

Discuss the resources used in the production of chocolate (cocoa beans, sugar, milk) and the producers of each resource. Ask students to choose any product, make a list of resources used in its production, and count the number of producers involved in the process. Can anyone find a product that has more than five producers?

Draw a picture that shows farmers trading equipment, crops or labor with each other. Explain how this trade situation helps farmers and their families.

Discuss this quote: "America's support for human rights and democracy is our noblest export to the world." - William Bennett

What's your money personality? Are you a saver, avoider, spender, giver or worrier? Find out by taking the Money Make-up quiz at the end of the Kansas City Fed's Common Cents article "Watch and Learn". http://bit.ly/1923cSJ

Review the story of the Three Little Pigs. Do a cost/benefit analysis to compare their houses of straw, sticks and bricks in terms of materials, labor, cost and effectiveness.

Bring white elephant items from home (with a parent's signed note). After having an opportunity to trade items, explain the benefits of the trades made. Does everyone agree the trades were positive? If not, why not?

Read Saving Strawberry Farm by Deborah Hopkinson. Use the children's literature lesson to discuss the role banks played during the Great Depression: www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/StrawberryFarm.pdf.

Discuss this quote: "Expenditures rise to meet income." - C. Northcote Parkinson

Which is the better milk buy? one gallon for $2.49; 1/2 gallon for $1.29; or one quart for $.69? (One gallon at $2.49)

Use Lesson 2: "W Is for Wages, W4 and W2" at www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/assets/lesson_plans/paycheck/IYP_lesson2.pdf to learn about gross pay, net pay and the different deductions that are taken from paychecks.

Discuss the fable of the Grasshopper and the Ant and its "saving for the future" moral. Rewrite the fable using human characters to make the spending and savings decisions.

If a company's losses are much greater than its profits, the owners might consider filing for bankruptcy. Research the concept of bankruptcy and write an essay describing the advantages and disadvantages.

Imagine two people: one who has access to credit, and one who does not. Discuss the advantages of having access to credit and the barriers of non-access to credit and how it might shape each individual's future as his or her life unfolds.

Ask students to name restaurants they have visited. Tell them to think of all the goods and services that a restaurant is expected to provide. Make a list of these items and ask students to write a creative story titled, “Starting My Restaurant Business” that uses these ideas.

How did the settlement pattern of the United States influence the location decisions for Federal Reserve Banks?

Make a collage of magazine ads that would appeal to consumers urging them to save money, possibly by living greener.

Examine samples of foreign currency by going to: www.clevelandfed.org/Learning_Center/Online_Activities/explore_money/index.cfm. Compare bill features for three chosen countries. How are these notes similar? How are they different? What are some basic features that are common to all currency studied?

Check out the Kansas City Fed's Financial Fables ebooks to discover how "money morals" can help students from preschool to fifth grade become money smart. http://bit.ly/11OINYK

Just who was Salmon Chase and why was he on a $10,000 banknote? Explore the American Currency Exhibit: www.frbsf.org/education/teacher-resources/american-currency-exhibit/showcase-of-bills to learn how our country's history is reflected on our currency.

Carl Sandburg once said, "Money is power, freedom, a cushion, the root of all evil, the sum of all blessings." Discuss how money could be explained in each of these different ways.

Draw a cartoon about a time when you experienced either a buyer's high or buyer's remorse after a purchase. In the panels, show the purchase, how the purchase made you feel and what you might do differently in the future.

What innovations and technological advancements have changed the U.S. payments system in the last 30 years?

Write a short essay explaining the reasoning for tariffs on imports to the United States.

Introduce taxes by asking what happens on April 15. Discuss that one of the purposes of income taxes is to pay for public goods (such as parks and roads) and public services (such as police, fire and military workers). Ask students to imagine what would happen if the government didn't use tax money to provide these goods and services. Have them draw a picture of a situation where a lack of public goods or services caused a problem.

You have saved enough money to buy your first computer! Which is the better buy: a laptop for $599, a case for $29, and a mouse for $19; or a desktop monitor for $149, a computer tower for $469, and a keyboard with mouse for $39? (laptop package=$647; desktop package=$657)

Get an international view of economic growth by looking up the per capita GDP and other economic information from the CIA World Factbook. Create a Venn diagram to compare similarities and differences of two countries. http://1.usa.gov/18tqEb9

Discuss the exchange rate of currency as the ratio at which a unit of currency in one country can be exchanged for that of another country. Research the exchange rate for bills from five countries by going to: www.xe.com and using the exchange rate calculator. Which notes were worth more than the American dollar? Which were worth less? Why do you think one country's currency is valued higher than another?