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Dive into Econland with the quirky comic book crew to explore how economics is already a part of middle school students’ everyday lives.

Measured as a share of gross domestic product, the federal debt is higher than at any time since the end of World War II, and it’s projected to climb. Policymakers are faced with difficult decisions about how to reconcile government priorities, including retirement and health benefits promised to the growing number of older people, with the tax revenues that the current tax code will yield.The Fiscal Ship game challenges you to put the federal budget on a sustainable course. Your mission is to pick from a menu of tax and spending options to reduce the debt from projected levels over the next 25 years. But budget decisions aren’t only about fiscal sustainability. To win the game, you also must find a combination of policies that match your values and priorities.

This activity is adapted from a lesson by Andrew T. Hill, Ph.D., Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, written to accompany the book Uncle Jed’s Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell (ISBN: 0-689-81913-7).Prior knowledge is needed before playing the game.

The accelerated pace of many AP U.S. Government and Politics classes means teachers must select instructional resources that quickly explain complex concepts. This lesson plan suggests a variety of resources to help students master the essentials of monetary policy while learning about the makeup of the Federal Reserve System and its crucial role in our nation’s economy. The resources include individual online learning, videos to view individually or as a class, an in-class activity, and more.

In this activity, students first watch a video to learn about the structure and roles of the Federal Reserve. They then read a blog post that imparts valuable historical context by tracing how the makeup of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors has shifted from members with banking, finance, and government experience to primarily academic economists. Working in small groups, students then participate in a card-sorting activity. Their task it to evaluate 22 fictional candidates and select 7 to recommend to the president of the United States to fill vacancies on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The candidates’ biographies include information about their current position, background, experience, and which Federal Reserve District they live in. As directed by Congress, the seven chosen must fairly represent the “financial, agricultural, industrial, and commercial interests, and geographical divisions of the country.” Students will be challenged to negotiate with their group members while winnowing the possibilities to pick a team to (i) make good monetary policy and (ii) satisfy the requirements of the Federal Reserve Act

What tales can money tell? Learn about different cultures, journey through various landscapes, and meet heroes—all by examining a country’s currency. Find out which country’s money honors a great chess champion, which depicts the dangerous sport of land diving, which honors the nation’s diversity—and much more!

Why do we have money? Think about a dollar bill: If you’re hungry, you can't eat it; in a rainstorm, it won't keep you dry. But you can trade it for an apple or an umbrella. If you lived in a world without money, how would you get the things you want and need?