Balance the Budget

Balance the Budget Print All

Description

This lesson plan allows students to work as different parts of Congress to balance part of the budget. They work through the process of balancing the budget from resolutions to appropriations. Ultimately, they must compare their version of the budget to the President's proposal and decide whether he would sign or veto their bills!

Objectives

Students will be able to…

analyze the decisions that must be made in the government when determining how money is allocated.
simulate the budgeting process through active and paper simulations.
analyze their appropriations bills and budget against that of the President, comparing and contrasting.
review the following vocabulary: appropriations, subcommittee, resolution, bills, and budget.

Lesson Prep

all student and teacher materials.

Balance The Budget.pdf

Step by Step

ANTICIPATE the lesson by reviewing the budgeting process with your students.

DIVIDE students into groups of four.

DISTRIBUTE the Representative Designation slips. Each group should contain Representatives #1 and #2 and Senators #1 and #2.

DISTRIBUTE two Budget Resolution handouts and two sets of Appropriations Bills to each group.

INSTRUCT students to take an Appropriations Bill handout for each committee assigned to them on their Representative Designation slip.

PROJECT the Simulation Directions screen using a transparency or projector, review the directions with your students, and remind them to look at the overhead if they are stuck.

CIRCULATE around the classroom checking for completion, and facilitating discussion and compromise.

Recommended Sequence

Before:

Creating the Budget

Teacher Actions:

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