The Federal Budget: Taxes and Spending

Civics The American Economy The Federal Budget: Taxes and Spending
Students learn about the federal budgeting process and define the types of revenue and spending. Then they evaluate the effects of a government shutdown on the economy. Next, they contrast the types of revenue at the three levels of government and conclude how taxes might contribute to the economy.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for The Federal Budget: Taxes and Spending:

Preview - Scene 1
Exploros Learnign Experience Scene Navigation


Overview

In this experience, students learn about the federal budgeting process and define the types of revenue and spending. Then they evaluate the effects of a government shutdown on the economy. Next, they contrast the types of revenue at the three levels of government and conclude how taxes might contribute to the economy.

The federal budget was also covered in the experiences:

  • “Budgeting Your Money,” which compared mandatory and discretionary spending to fixed and variable household expenses
  • “The Government and Income Inequality,” which examined entitlement programs and mandatory spending

 

Objectives

  • Describe the federal government’s budget process.
  • Explain how the federal budget reflects priorities.
  • Describe how state and local taxes and spending are independent of the federal government budget.


Engage


photograph of the Capitol building at night

U.S. Capitol Building


Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, which in other words is the power to spend, collect revenue, and borrow. The Constitution states that each chamber may “determine the Rules of its Proceedings,” and it does not establish any procedures for budget-related legislation. Congress has developed rules and practices to govern the process. In this lesson, you will learn about the federal budget process and other issues related to the federal budget.

Objectives

  • Describe the federal government’s budget process.
  • Explain how the federal budget reflects priorities.
  • Describe how state and local taxes and spending are independent of the federal government budget.

Did you know that every time you make a purchase you pay a tax? You choose a candy bar that costs 99 cents, but when you check out the cost might actually be $1.08. The difference is a sales tax. The rate of this tax varies depending on where you live. In five states there is no sales tax, while some cities also have one.


What other types of taxes can you name? To list multiple taxes, separate them with a comma like this: cent, dollar.

Post your answer

Sample answers: income tax, property tax, payroll tax, inheritance tax, excise tax (gasoline, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.)


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in The American Economy Unit.
Civics The American Economy What Is a Market Economy?
What Is a Market Economy?
Civics The American Economy American Production
American Production
Civics The American Economy Economic Choices
Economic Choices
Civics The American Economy Living in a Global Economy
Living in a Global Economy
Civics The American Economy The Government and Income Inequality
The Government and Income Inequality
Civics The American Economy Consumers
Consumers
Civics The American Economy Distributing Goods
Distributing Goods
Civics The American Economy The American Economy: Unit Review
The American Economy: Unit Review
Civics The American Economy Capitalism and Free Enterprise
Capitalism and Free Enterprise
Civics The American Economy Government's Role in the U.S. Economy
Government's Role in the U.S. Economy
Civics The American Economy Labor and Management
Labor and Management
Civics The American Economy Buying on Credit
Buying on Credit
Civics The American Economy The Federal Budget: Taxes and Spending
The Federal Budget: Taxes and Spending
Civics The American Economy How Businesses Are Organized
How Businesses Are Organized
Civics The American Economy Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs
Civics The American Economy Budgeting Your Money
Budgeting Your Money
Civics The American Economy Banks and Banking
Banks and Banking
Civics The American Economy Supply and Demand in a Market Economy
Supply and Demand in a Market Economy
Civics The American Economy Saving and Investing
Saving and Investing
Civics The American Economy Measuring the Economy
Measuring the Economy
Would you like to preview the rest of this learning experience, and get access to the entire functioning Civics MS course for your classroom? Sign up using your school email address below.
Back to top