P R O J E C T
O V E R V I E W
The President’s Dilemma
Name of Project:
Economics
Subject/Course:
Teacher(s): Scott
page 1
Duration:
3 weeks
Grade Level:
12
Other Subject Areas to Be
Included:
Government
Project Idea
Summary of the issue,
challenge, investigation,
scenario, or problem:
Due to a rapid rise in oil prices, the United States is facing a severe economic crisis with high levels of inflation, high unemployment, and
slow economic growth. The President, whose approval ratings are plummeting, has asked a Special Task Force of the Council of Economic
Advisors to recommend a policy to deal with the crisis without increasing the national debt. The Task Force is asked to make a presentation to
a panel composed of the President as well as representatives from key constituencies.
Driving Question
How do we, as the Special Task Force of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, develop and present fiscal and monetary policy
recommendations for dealing with the current economic, so that the economic crisis is addressed and we meet the needs of our constituents?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Essential Questions
What do economic indicators tell us about the economy?
How can fiscal policies affect the economy?
How can monetary policies affect the economy?
How can we best communicate recommendations to our audience?
Key Content
Economic indicators: CPI, GDP, unemployment rate, inflation rate
Fiscal policies: expansionary fiscal policies, contractionary fiscal policies, supply-side policies, demand-side policies
Monetary policies: expansionary monetary policies, contractionary monetary policies, discount rate, open market operations, reserve ration
Content Standards to be
taught and assessed:
SHOUTS Argue, Communicate, Discern
Common Core: RI-1, W-1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, S-1, 4, 5, 6
NYSS: 4
NCSS: VII
NCEE:1, 2, 12, 15, 18, 19, 20
21st Century Skills to be
taught and assessed:
Collaboration
x
Communication (Oral Presentation)
x
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
X
Major Products &
Performances
Group:
Other:
Policy recommendations to panel group
Audience:
x Presentation
Class
School
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Community
Individual:
X
Written component of policy recommendations
Experts
Web
Other:
Entry Event to
launch inquiry,
engage students:
Memo from President Barack Obama requesting assistance in current economic crisis
Project Tasks
http://scottmelcher.weebly.com/unit-six-the-presidents-dilemma.html
Assessments
Formative
Assessments
(During Project)
Quizzes/Tests
Practice Presentations
Journal/Learning Log
X
Notes
Preliminary Plans/Outlines/Prototypes
X
Checklists
Rough Drafts
X
Concept Maps/Lists
Online Tests/Exams
Resources Needed
x
Other:
Written Product(s), with rubric:
Summative
Assessments
(End of Project)
x
X
Other Product(s) or Performance(s), with rubric
_____________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Oral Presentation, with rubric
X
Peer Evaluation
Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test
Self-Evaluation
Essay Test
Other:
X
On-site people, facilities:
Equipment:
lap-top cart, Weebly, You Tube clips on econ concepts
Materials:
Document copies
Community resources:
Reflection Methods
(Individual,
Group, and/or
Whole Class)
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Journal/Learning Log
x
Focus Group
Whole-Class Discussion
Fishbowl Discussion
Survey
Other:
©2011 BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION