Making Sen$e with Paul Solman

The Role of Government: The Federal Government and Fiscal Policy

Students will visit “A Citizen’s Guide to the Federal Budget,” and use the federal government web site to obtain information which will help them understand basic information about the budget of the United States Government for the current fiscal year.

Grades 9-12

The Role of Government: The National Debt vs. The Deficit

This lesson defines and compares the National Debt with the National Deficit. Students will discover the differences between the two and look at current trends. Students will examine the amount of per-capita debt and be exposed to the reality of the amount the national debt is increasing every d...

Grades 9-12

Understanding the Debt Ceiling Debate and the Budget Control Act of 2011

This lesson provides an introduction and an overview of the Budget Control Act of 2011. Students will be given information about the legislation and presented with different proposals for dealing with the long-term deficit problem of the United States.

Grades 9-12

Opportunity Cost

Consumers are faced with tough choices because so many innovative and exciting products and services are available. Therefore, engraining a decision-making process that includes considering of opportunity cost is necessary to shape future consumer behavior.

Grades 9-12

Chevy Volt...It’s Electric!

The costs and benefits of owning an electric or hybrid car will be evaluated in this lesson. By reading and researching the history of the production of electric cars, the lesson allows students to understand how this market has developed. Specifically, the evaluation will focus on the Chevy Volt...

Grades 6-8, 9-12