Procedures

• STEP 1:

  As a class, discuss the following questions:

  • Where do people keep their money?
  • What things can people do at a bank?
  • How do banks get their money?

• STEP 2:

  Have the students view the two clips below and answer the questions on the following handout:

  Handout: Goals and Tools of the Federal Reserve (Google Doc)

• Video Clip 1: Introduction to the Federal Reserve (2:39)

  • Why was the Federal Reserve created?

  • How is the Federal Reserved structured?

  • What are the two main responsibilities of the Federal Reserve?

  • What is the third responsibility that is mentioned in the clip?

• Video Clip 2: Federal Reserve Policies and Consumers (4:48)

  • How can the Federal Reserve use interest rates to stimulate the economy?

  • How can the Federal Reserve purchase assets/use quantitative easing to help grow the economy?

  • How can the actions of the Federal Reserve impact you as a consumer?

  • How can more loans and more money in the economy help an economy recover from a recession?

• STEP 3:

  After viewing the clips, go over the answers with the students.

• STEP 4

  Explain how the Federal Reserve can control the Federal Funds Rate which is the interest rate that banks use to in transactions with each other.

  Using individual computers or personal devices, have the student go to the Chair the Federal Reserve simulation (Website). Students will simulate the actions of the Federal Reserve by adjusting the Federal Funds Rate to try to fulfill the two responsibilities of the Federal Reserve.

  Have the students answer the following questions about their experiences with the simulation:

  • Explain how you adjusted the Federal Fund Rates.
  • How did your actions affect both inflation and unemployment?
  • Based on your results, how do you think inflation and unemployment are related.

• EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

  • Federal Reserve Collage: Using newspapers and magazines, have create collage of pictures that relate to the Federal Reserve including its responsibilities, tools and related concepts. Be prepared to present and explain your collage.