Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: A Penny Saved
Students will read the comic book, "A Penny Saved" published by the New York Federal Reserve Bank. Students will make the information relevant through projects, graphic organizers, teacher instruction, and problems.
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: What Does the Fed Do?
This collection of lesson materials focuses on how the Federal Reserve System works. Students will learn how banking systems work and what a fractional reserve banking system is.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Focus on Economic Data
This lesson focuses on the May 1, 2013, press release by the Federal Reserve System's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on the current Federal Reserve monetary policy actions and goals, and specifically, the federal fund's rate...
Other
Bank Reserves and the Money Supply
This article, from a larger study titled "Money: What It Is and How It Works," explains the fractional reserve system, which requires banks to hold a certain amount of their deposits as cash. Covers reserve requirements, factors...
Other
House Committee on Financial Services
This website describes the House Committee on Financial Services. The chairman of this committee is Michael G. Oxley. "The Committee oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking and...
Federal Reserve Bank
Katrina's Classroom: Teaching Money Skills for Life
Students will participate in Katrina's Classroom curriculum provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The lesson emphasizes the importance of being prepared for a financial emergency. This is a Commerce and Information Technology...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: How Is Our Economy Doing?
Students learn the meaning and measurement of six important economic indicators and use the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank National Economic Trends website to assess the current state of the economy.
US Department of the Treasury
Secretaries of the Treasury: William G. Mc Adoo
William McAdoo's tenure as Secretary of the Treasury under Woodrow Wilson is overviewed on the official site of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Read about the accomplishments of the Treasury Department under McAdoo including the...
University of Nebraska Omaha
Ec Ed Web: Virtual Economics Web Companion
The Virtual Economics Web Companion for K-12 economics and social studies teachers was created by the National Council on Economic Education. A wide variety of educational materials and lesson plans can be accessed through this site....
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Legendary Coins and Currency
Archived images of coins from a beautiful online exhibition on the history of money.
Other
Economic History Services: The Panic of 1907
Find out what a bank panic is and read about why the bank panic of 1907 was one of the worst in U.S. history.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: The Dismal Science: The Gold Bug Variations
This page provides access to the article, "The Gold Bug Variations: The gold standard-and the men who love it." In it, Paul Krugman discusses the relationship between the gold standard and monetary policy. (Nov. 22, 1996)
Other
Dallas Fed: Gone to Texas: Immigration and the Texas Economy [Pdf]
An extensive publication describing how Texas immigration has developed throughout rich and varied Texas history.
Other
Business Week: Alan Greenspan's Brave New World
This 1997 article covers Alan Greenspan's career and analyzes the economic climate (past, present, and projected future) during the boom years of the 1990s.
Federal Reserve Bank
American Currency: Demand and Interest Bearing Notes: Financing the Union
Brief overview of demand notes of the Union, commonly called "greenbacks." Gives a historical context for the notes and has many pictures of what they looked like. Includes an activity looking at Union soldier wages.
Read Works
Read Works: Money Matters
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about paper money as it cycles through the economy. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Auburn University
Auburn University: Glossary of Political Economy Terms: Monetary Policy Defined
This site provides a very thorough definition of the economic concept of monetary policy. The explanation is by Dr. Paul Johnson of Auburn University
Other
U.s. Treasury: History of u.s. Currency
This page provided by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing gives the the history of paper money from the colonial notes in 1690 to the currency redesigns of 1996 and 2003.
Library of Economics and Liberty
Concise Encyclopedia of Economics: Great Depression
For upper level classes and abilities only. A very scholarly explanation of the causes of the Great Depression and steps Franklin Roosevelt to end it. An excellent source due to its thorough analysis and detail.
University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska: My Money [Pdf]
A teaching resource with teacher guides, lesson plans, and a test of money for grades 4, 5, and 6. Includes exercise sheets.
Other
University of Exeter: Money in North American History
This resource provides information about money in North America from Wampum to electronic transfer.
Other
Money: What It Is, How It Works: Understanding Government Debt
This article discusses how our monetary system works and the role the government plays. Organized into the following sections: "Government Money," "Treasury Options", "Tax or Borrow?", "Rolling Over Government Debt", and "Net Financial...
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: The Great Depression Begins 1929
An overview of the Great Depression and its causes.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: The Osage "Reign of Terror" Murder Trials
The "Reign of Terror" that overtook the Osage Reservation in 1921 is just one chapter in the long story of mistreatment of Native Americans by whites, but is one of the most horrifying. Before the chapter ends, untold dozens of Osage...