The students working in groups and as an individual will document the functions of the Federal Reserve System and develop a plan to avert a banking crisis using the functions of the Federal Reserve System.
California Academic Standard(s)
- 12.3 - Students analyze the influence of the federal government on the American economy.
Class Time: Two (50) minute classes
Total Time: Four days
Goal
The students will acquire critical thinking, social and writing skills while understanding the functions of the Federal Reserve System and its role during a time of bank crisis.
Learning Styles
- Linguistic
- Auditory
- Social
- Intrapersonal
- Logical
Anticipatory Set (10 min)
The instructor will write a question on the board that states "If you were on a trip alone and ran out of money, what are some things you might do?" The instructor will allow the students two minutes to think about the question. The instructor will then call on random students to answer the question and write the answers on the board.
Direct Instruction (15 min)
The instructor will briefly explain the role of the Federal Reserve during the the 2008 banking crisis. The instructor will write the following on the board or on a computer with an overhead:
Working with a partner, please describe the main functions of the Federal Reserve System. Write the functions as bullet points using complete sentences. Be prepared to explain the functions to the class.
Modeling (5 min)
Using the board or computer and overhead, the instructor will write one function of the Federal Reserve System.
Guided Practice (20 min)
The instructor will place the students in groups of two. The students, using their textbooks, smart phones or computer will write down the main functions of the Federal Reserve System.
Checks for Understanding (10 min)
The instructor will call on random groups to provide the functions of the Federal Reserve System. The instructor will write the answers on the board.
Direct Instruction (10 min)
The instructor will provide the students the following handout:
The Federal Reserve Chairman
You are the Federal Reserve Chairman. The bank stocks have been plummeting for the last few months. Two major banks failed and filed for bankruptcy. There is a fear that bank depositors may withdraw their money worried that the banking system may fail.
As the Federal Reserve Chairman, using the power authorized by the Federal Reserve System, explain what you would do to calm the crisis in the short and long term. Please explain how you will employ each function. Be prepared to defend your plan to the class.
Modeling (5 min)
The instructor will write on the board one possible Federal Reserve Function used to calm a banking crisis and explain how the function would be employed.
Independent Study (40 min)
The students will complete their plan to avert the banking crisis.
Checks for Understanding
The students will submit their plan to the instructor.
Direct Instruction (20 min)
The instructor will lead the class in a discussion regarding their bank crisis plans.
Direct Instruction (50 min)
The instructor will show the class a PBS Frontline video titled "Inside the Meltdown"