Fiscal & Monetary Policy
Define fiscal and monetary policy and highlight their differences.
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Lessons & Activities
Teaching about the Federal Reserve
OVERVIEW
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States. It plays an important role in the economy, and also in the curriculum. We're here to support you with easy-to-use teaching resources to help students understand the role and function of the Federal Reserve.
The Federal Reserve System
The Three Key Entities
This video assignment discusses the three key entities of the Federal Reserve System: the Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Banks, and the FOMC. or more information about the Federal Reserve, visit The Fed Explained.
The Fed Explained
Help your students understand and remember the structure and functions of the Federal Reserve with this concise infographic. Display in your classroom and use these hands-on learning activities to reinforce concepts with your students.
The Story of the Federal Reserve System
Read this comic book about the Federal Reserve’s structure and key responsibilities as the citizens on Planet Novus work to develop their own central bank and use the lesson plan enhance engagement.
Monetary Policy
Conducting Monetary Policy
In this video assignment, learn about monetary policy, one of the important economic functions of the Federal Reserve.
The Fed's New Monetary Policy Tools
This interactive module assignment shows how the new tools the Fed uses to move the economy toward its Congressional dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. See how the tools have changed from open market operations to interest on reserves since 2008.
How Fed Policy Transmits to the Economy
In this activity, students participate in a demonstration showing how changes in monetary policy ripple through and move the economy toward the Fed’s goals of maximum employment and price stability.
Related Resources
INFOGRAPHICS & COMICS
VIDEO Q&A
0-15 MIN
Alexander Hamilton & Central Banking
Learn about Alexander Hamilton's impact on the United States and central banking.
MODULES
31-45 MIN
Making Sense of the Federal Reserve
Introduce the structure of the Federal Reserve and the basics of monetary policy.
READING Q&A
16-30 MIN
Jargon Alert: Helicopter Money
Learn about a tool to stimulate economies and fight deflationary pressures.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
46-60 MIN
Lecture Guide: How the Federal Reserve Implements Monetary Policy
This lesson teaches how the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) conducts monetary policy.
CURRICULUM UNITS
Teaching the New Tools of Monetary Policy
Resources for teaching the Fed's monetary policy tools in an ample-reserves framework.
More in This Series
CURRICULUM UNITS
The Great Depression
Understand the Great Depression and its impact on the economy.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Measuring the Great Depression
Describe how we measure the economy’s health with tools such as gross domestic product (GDP), the unemployment rate, and the consumer price index (CPI).
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
What Do People Say
Identify and analyze suggested causes of the Great Depression.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
What Really Caused the Depression?
Determine that banking panics and shrinking money supply caused the Great Depression.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Dealing with the Depression
Examine statistical data related to the Great Depression.
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Turn Your Radio On
Identify economic problems using Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "fireside chats".
LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
1 HOUR+
Could It Happen Again
Learn about the role of the Federal Reserve System in the context of the Great Depression.
