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Wisconsin Economic Standard D.8.5 Role of Government

Give examples to show how government provides for national defense; health, safety, and environmental protection; defense of property rights; and the maintenance of free and fair market activity

Economic Concepts
Market economy  ||  Public goods and services  ||  Government regulations  || Government allocations
 

Links to Content Information 

	Badger: State of Wisconsin Information Server
	Budget of the US Government Fiscal Year 2002
	Federal Agencies and Departments - Links to agencies and departments that provide various services to citizens.
	Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet
	U.S. House of Representatives Committee Office Web Service
	U.S. Senate Committees
	The White House
	Wisconsin Budget Information - For information on the Wisconsin budget, look under the heading Financial Disclosure.
	Wisconsin Department of Revenue - Information about taxes and paying taxes in Wisconsin.

Links to Lesson Plans and other Suggested Teaching Strategies

	Don't Fence Me Out! (Barriers to Trade) - Grades 6-8. Students will identify and describe commonly used trade barriers and explain why trade barriers are imposed.
	How has the Constitution shaped the economy in the U.S.? - Class discussion and small group task identifying the six characteristics of a market economy and the provisions in the constitution  that support a market economy. From Focus on Economics: Civics and Government, �National Council on Economic Education
	Interpreting Economic Indicators - Grades 8-12.  Students will access the US Census Bureau's Internet site and interpret listed economic indicators, develop hypotheses as to the potential impact these indicators had on the business cycle as compared to the GDP statistics, and develop a consensus as to the business cycle the economy was in.
	Limiting trade - Middle and High School level.  Students learn about various types of trade     restrictions and their effects by applying a model to determine who will benefit and who will be hurt by a tariff. From Focus on Economics: Geography, �National Council on Economic Education.
	National Budget Simulation - This simple simulation gives a feel of the trade-offs which citizens and policy makers will need to make to balance the budget. There are three ways to play the game,  offering different levels of detail.  This site also includes links to information about the Federal Budget.
	What are the economic functions of government?  Middle and High School level.  Class discussion and small group task identifying six economics functions of government and examples of these functions using current events. From Focus on Economics: Civics and Government,    �National Council on Economic Education.
	Other Web Sites - This page lists web sites offering a wealth of lesson plans for teaching economics, in addition to these lesson plans.

List of Curricular Materials and Learning Activities 

	Focus: Middle School Economics from Economics America (search catalogue), available from Economics Wisconsin.  Relevant lessons:  Unit 4, Lesson 10: Where Does the Money Go? - Students look at the categories of federal spending, discuss them, and calculate the percentage of spending in each category. Unit 4, Lesson 11:  Where Does the Money Come From? - Students look at the categories of federal taxation, discuss them, and calculate the percentage of total taxes collected in each category.  Unit 4, Lesson 14:  No Free Lunch - In their roles as responsible citizens, students learn to consider both the costs and the benefits related to public policy issues.  This lesson uses budgets and a decision tree to structure student analysis of taxing and spending issues.
	Master Curriculum Guide in Economics: Teaching Strategies 5-6 from Economics America (search catalogue), available from Economics Wisconsin.  Relevant lessons:  Lesson 14:  If This, Then That - Using a flow chart, students study the costs and benefits of economic government policies.  Lesson 15:   Regulation Rigmarole - While producing friendship pins, students experience the effects of government regulation on productivity and costs of production.
	Focus on Economics: United States History, from Economics America (search catalogue), available from Economics Wisconsin.  Lesson 4:  Who Should Make the Food Safe? - Students gain insight into ways in which government regulations affect the behavior of producers. pp.35-44
	Virtual Economics: An Interactive Center for Economic Education, Version 2 - Each exhibit includes teaching tips, background information, a list of lessons, and video and audio clips that give additional information about the topic.  Available from Economics America (search catalogue).  In section Fundamental Economics, see exhibit: Economic Systems In section MacroEconomics, see exhibit:  Fiscal Policy In section MicroEconomics, see exhibit: Roles of Government
	Economics and the Environment, from Economics America (search catalogue), available from Economics Wisconsin.  Relevant lessons:  Unit 3, Lesson 6:  It's Fine as Long as It's Mine--All Mine! - Students learn about property rights and how property rights can affect the way markets allocate resources.  p.64 Unit 5, Lesson 12:  Negotiate or Take Them to Court? - Students explore the possibilities and limitations of negotiation and court rulings as they relate to decisions concerning the most valued use of natural resources.  p.136 Unit 5, Lesson 13:  Regluation: Is Just Saying "No" Enough? - Students learn how regulation is applied and consider the economic incentives associated with compliance.  p.147 Unit 5, Lesson 14:  Buying Environmental Quality at Discount Prices - Students discover how the use of emission charges and permit markets can encourage pollution control.  p.159
	Focus: International Economics, from Economics America (search catalogue), available from Economics Wisconsin. Lesson 19:  Privatization Around the World - Students review and evaluate the approaches most widely used to privatize public enterprises and services.  p.177

National Content Standards 6, 16, and 17.

Scroll down the linked pages to locate the grade 8 benchmarks.

Email an expert

 Professor Mark Schug - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee