SOURCES OF GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC PUBLICATIONS

FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS INTERACTIVE WEB SITES ON LINE LITERATURE COMPUTER AUDIO VISUAL MATERIAL VIDEO LENDING LIBRARY

Federal Reserve Board Publications and Education Resources - The Federal Reserve is committed to economic education. Here you can find links to instructional materials and tools that can increase your understanding of the Federal Reserve and economics. All of the Fed web sites, curriculum, newsletters, booklets and other resources are free.

FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS

  • Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta - This education site offers a monetary museum, economic speeches, publications and links to other education resources.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - This education site offers consumer and economic educational programs designed for schools from elementary through college levels, and for a variety of adult audiences including business groups, bankers, community organizations, consumer and social service professionals. Topics range from banking, currency, and basic economics to consumer awareness programs.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago - For information on figuring and controlling interest or credit and electronic money, visit this education site. This site houses many informative resources on money and reserves, the Public Debt and a glossary of terms to expand your economic concepts and knowledge.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland - This site's education programs include conferences and workshops for teachers,a bank's speakers bureau, an annual Fed Challenge competition for high school students, print and electronic resources to help understand economics and the Fed's role in the U.S. economy and tours for high school, college, and community groups.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas - This education site is home to economic education resources for students and teachers. You can also find games, contests and education conferences and workshops.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - Do you have questions? Visit this education site for a list of frequently asked questions. The site also lists tour information, education resources and publications.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis - What do you know about the Economic Literacy Project? This education site is home to many different resources and projects, including the Economic Literacy Project. Among other things on this site, you can find information on tours, student essay contests and take the economics challenge.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Participate in the Econ Bowl, Fed Challenge educational competitions, or obtain an overall understanding of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Visit FedWorks and take a tour of the Fed's most unique Bank, and discover workshops, clubs and educational materials that improve economic and financial literacy. Additional information for K-12 students and educators also can be found on this site.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia - This site serves as a portal to the Fed System's valuable economic education resources, including "The Fed Today" video and FED101, our interactive web site for high school, college and general audiences.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond - The Fifth District has provided long-standing support of economics education programs. Two economic education newsletters for teachers are published, and there are many opportunities for Fed staff to sponsor and participate in workshops, provide printed matter and audiovisual materials, and consult with teachers on classroom projects.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco - Do you ever wonder what economists mean when they talk about things like the money multiplier, natural unemployment, and moral hazard? Find the answer by asking Dr. Econ on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco education site. This site also contains various interactive games, exhibits and publications.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - Take the Money Challenge on this education site. This interactive quiz will challenge just how much you know about U.S. currency. The site also contains other challenging activities as well as informative guides and workshops.

    INTERACTIVE WEB SITES

  • Federal Reserve Board Education Contents
  • FedEd - An educational publication exploring relevant economic topics, with essays written for students and teachers. Includes activities for the classroom, suggested workshops and materials for both the teacher and the classroom.
  • The Federal Reserve Today - Explains the functions, objectives, and organization of the Federal Reserve System.
  • The Fed Today - This site serves as a portal to the Fed System's valuable economic education resources, including "The Fed Today" video and FED101, our interactive web site for high school, college and general audiences.
  • The Fed Today Free Video - The Fed Today video is currently available to you at no charge. The lesson plans for the video are available for you to download online. You can download the entire curriculum or individual lesson plans from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia web site.
  • Fed 101 - The Federal Reserve Today - Contents page for educational material covering the history, structure, monetary policy, banking supervision and financial services of the Federal Reserve System.
  • American Currency Exhibit - Visitors take a journey through the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's American Currency Exhibit, which provides a look back in time at the evolution of money and a lesson in how our nation's history is closely tied with our currency.
  • Virtual Money Museum - A virtual tour of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Money Museum, allowing visitors to travel to different parts of the museum by just clicking on the colored exhibits on a map.
  • What's A Dollar Worth - This site allows visitors to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis's site to use a Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculator to find out what goods would be worth in the past and assess the impact of inflation over the years.
  • Our Money - This Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis site primarily examines currency issued by the U.S. government, including information about the history of currency, how money is printed, the features on each side of a bill, new currency designs and counterfeit protection.
  • Peanuts and Crackerjacks - Why are ticket prices so high? Why are the owners and players always bickering? Get the answers to these questions and more in this Federal Reserve Bank of Boston interactive baseball game designed to help students in grades 8-12 learn about economics in a fun web environment. The site includes a teachers guide containing more than 50 activities and discussion exercises geared to a variety of learning styles.
  • Ask Dr. Econ - Do you ever wonder what economists mean when they talk about things like the money multiplier, natural unemployment and, moral hazard? Or do you want to know how the Federal Reserve affects interest rates and helps keep the economy on course? Visit the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco web site and ask Dr. Econ!
  • National Council On Economic Education - This site offers online lesson plans that conform to national standards for grades K - 12, a national directory of EconomicsAmerica centers, and information about the NASDAQ teaching awards.
  • Foundation for Teaching Economics - This site has information on nationally offered summer workshops for teachers and students as well as online lesson plans used in FTE programs.
  • JumpStart Coalition - This site contains a searchable database of personal finance educational materials.
  • The Stock Market Game - This site hosts a simulation of Wall Street trading, created to increase student and adult understanding of the stock market and related economic concepts.

    ON LINE LITERATURE

  • Consumer Information - Federal Reserve Board site containing online versions of a variety of booklets covering personal finance issues such as credit cards, vehicle leasing and home mortgages.
  • Economic Literacy Project - maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis that explores how educators, journalists, business and government leaders are attempting to increase American's knowledge and understanding of economic concepts. Includes an interactive economic literacy test.
  • Public Information Catalog The Federal Reserve System's comprehensive guide and online ordering facility for publications and materials.
  • Econ-Exchange - A semi-annual publication for K-12 teachers. Its mission is to promote economic education through insightful essays and exemplary lessons for elementary, middle, and high school teachers to adapt to their classroom programs.
  • FedEd - An educational publication exploring relevant economic topics, with essays written for students and teachers. Includes activities for the classroom, suggested workshops and materials for both the teacher and the classroom.
  • Inside The Vault - This easy-to-read newletter is produced for educators by the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis. Each issue includes an article on a current economic topic and an economic snapshot, with quarterly updates on GDP, CPI, and unemployment rates.
  • On Reserve - Tri-annual newsletter for educators produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Each issue contains an article of current interest, lesson suggestions, descriptions of new educational materials, a bibliography for educators and a schedule of economic education activities in the Seventh Federal Reserve District.
  • The Ledger - Economic education newsletter is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for educators and the general public. Each issue contains information on economic education resources -- programs, organizations, pamphlets, books and web sites -- plus brief articles on economics topics and concepts, questions related to "everyday economics" and facets of New England's economic history.
  • Dollars and Cents - A Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta brochure that provides basic information about U.S. currency and coin, including how they are made, what design and features they include, how they circulate and how to spot counterfeit currency.
  • Building Wealth - A beginner's guide to securing one's future.
  • Consumer Information - Federal Reserve Board site containing online versions of a variety of booklets covering personal finance issues such as credit cards, vehicle leasing and home mortgages.
  • Economic Literacy Project - Web site maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis that explores how educators, journalists, business and government leaders are attempting to increase American's knowledge and understanding of economic concepts. Includes an interactive economic literacy test.
  • Resources for Economists on the Internet - A comprehensive guide to economic resources on the Internet.
  • National Council on Social Studies - This site offers professional development, teaching resources, and publications for social studies educators.

    COMPUTER AUDIO VISUAL MATERIAL

    Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank - Computer Audio Visual Material  (Download FLASH READER if required)
  • Fed 101 At A Glance An interactive web site featuring an overview of the history and organization of the Federal Reserve, the monetary policy and regulatory functions, and the services provided to depository institutions. Site also includes interactive simulations with ways to test knowledge, such as quizzes and a virtual Bank examination. This site requires Macromedia Flash Player 5.0 and is best viewed with Netscape 4.73 or higher and Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher. There is an HTML version of the site available for users without Flash or higher version browsers. Specific topics follow:
  • Checks Mystery - Follow the life of a check through the banking system
  • Go Back In Time - A time line starting in 1775 for the U. S. Banking System and the Federal Reserve
  • Where's The Money - How the Fed creates money
  • The Examiner For A Day - Examining the manner in which a loan is reviewed and analyzed
  • Fed Clue - A self test on your understanding of the Federal Reserve System
  • Fed President Interview - An interview with a Fed President

    VIDEO LENDING LIBRARY

    The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis lends videotapes to schools; civic, professional and business groups; banks; service clubs; and other organizations. These videos are offered as a public service in order to promote a better understanding of commercial and central banking operations, monetary policy and fundamental economic concepts. The tapes cover topics ranging from money, banking and the Fed to international trade, and the only cost is return postage.
    A list of available videos follow:

  • ADAM SMITH AND THE WEALTH OF NATIONS -- 28 min -- Traces the life, career and basic beliefs of one of history's greatest thinkers. Examines events and influences of the father of economics. [H.S., College, Adult]
  • BOTH BORROWER AND LENDER -- 14 min -- Describes options for depositing/borrowing funds available to consumers and what consumers should look for in financial services [Jr. H.S. and Up]
  • CHICKENFEED -- 17 min -- San Diego Chicken explains the basic concepts of the monetary system: medium of exchange, money substitutes, supply, exchange as a voluntary agreement between individuals and inflation. [Upper Elem. and H.S.]
  • CHICKENOMICS -- 24 min -- San Diego Chicken explains five aspects of U.S. market economy: private ownership, consumer sovereignty, markets, self- interest motive and competition. [Jr. H.S. and H.S.]
  • DECIMALS: THE FAKE MONEY CAPER -- 22 min -- The math topic is decimals and the subject is money. Eddie and friend Vincent help a secret service agent track down a counterfeiting ring. Eddie learns about creating and safeguarding our money supply and figuring the true value of a peso and a ruble. [Grades 3- 6]
  • ECONOMICS BY CHOICE -- 18 min -- Illustrates basic economic concepts for children with situations that relate to their own lives. Concepts include: unlimited wants, scarcity, choices, opportunity costs. [Elem.]
  • *NEW* ECONOMICS: THE BASICS -- 30 min -- Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has six segments. They are The Basics, Not Enough of Anything, Making Choices, Markets, Competition and Government and the Economy. [Jr. H.S. and H.S.]
  • EFT- AT YOUR SERVICE -- 14 min -- Follows a couple as they learn about direct deposit, automatic bill payment, ATMs and other electronic funds transfer services. Explains rights and responsibilities of user. [H.S., College]
  • ENTERPRISE IS...AMERICA -- 72 min -- Four-part program. Each section is independent. Provides better understanding of American business, profit, competition, productivity, world trade and investment. [H.S.]
  • *NEW* THE ENTREPRENEURS -- 42 min -- Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has six segments. They are Young Entrepreneurs, More Young Entrepreneurs, The Entrepreneurial Spirit, The Business Plan, Marketing and Business and Financing the Dream. [Jr. H.S. and H.S.]
  • *NEW* FED CHALLENGE -- 28 min -- Overview of the Fed Challenge competition [H.S.]
  • THE FEDERAL RESERVE -- An instructional kit on money and banking and the Federal Reserve, to be used with an accompanying four-part 88-minute video. [H.S.]
  • THE FED TODAY -- 13 min -- Charles Osgood explains the workings of the Federal Reserve System: history, structure, monetary policy, banking supervision, financial services and more. The Fed Today video is currently available to you at no charge. The lesson plans for the video are available for you to download online. You can download the entire curriculum or individual lesson plans from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia web site.[H. S. and up]
  • THE FED: OUR NATION'S CENTRAL BANK -- 13 min -- Examines the roles of the Fed in setting and implementing monetary policy, promoting safety and soundness in financial systems, helping individuals and businesses make and receive payments safely and quickly. [H.S.]
  • GIVE and TAKE -- Part I 84 min; Part II 84 min -- 12-part program dramatizes personal economic problems relevant to daily lives of young people. [H.S.]
  • *NEW* THE GLOBAL ECONOMY -- 46 min -- Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has five segments. They are What is Global Economy?, Why Do Countries Trade?, NAFTA: Who Wins?, Who Loses?, Global Investing and Portrait of a Global Corporation. [Jr. H.S. and H. S.]
  • *NEW* HISTORY OF THE DOW -- 60 min -- With rare footage and first-hand accounts, this excellent program traces the history of blue chip stocks in the 20th century. [Middle School, H. S., General Audiences]
  • *NEW* HOW COMPANIES WORK -- 38 min -- Fast-paced and contemporary, this Junior Achievement video has six segments. They are Small Business: Main Beach Surf and Sport, Large Business: Ford Motor Company; Nonprofit: Student Conservation Association, Financing Growth and Responding to change: Interface. [Jr. H.S. and H.S.]
  • IT'S YOUR MONEY -- 60 min -- Learn the basics of smart spending and saving in today's markets. Topics include budgeting, banking services, understanding risk and making investment choices. Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. [H.S., College, Adult]
  • THE MAKING OF MONEY -- 24 min -- History of U.S. paper currency (from 1690 private bank issued notes to how money is printed now), a look at 1996 changes and process of distribution by the Fed. [All Ages]
  • MAN'S MATERIAL WELFARE -- 27 min -- Rich DeVos, president of Amway, discusses man's material welfare and how it can be achieved through the free enterprise system. [H.S., College, Adult]
  • MONEY CONNECTION -- 17 min -- Fast-paced news show format combines historical photographs and live-action footage with interviews and animation sequences. Explains the Federal Reserve and basic money and banking concepts. [Elem.]
  • MONEY ROCK -- 30 min -- Leave it to the Schoolhouse Rock crew to make money concepts interesting! This video explains savings accounts, taxes, stocks, checks and other money matters. [Elem. and Jr. H.S.]
  • THE MONEY STORY -- 33 min -- Learn what money is and how it is made, spent, saved and collected. [Elem. and Middle School]
  • MONEY: SUMMING IT UP -- 23 min -- Surveys the history of money from salt, tools, coins, paper currency and checks. Discusses the role of money in developing the United States, the recurring problem of inflation in history and the establishment of the Federal Reserve System. [H.S.]
  • MUTUAL FUNDS: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS -- 8 min -- Provides valuable information for bankers and consumers about the financial risks associated with purchasing mutual funds and annuities and emphasizes the lack of FDIC protection. [Adult]
  • ONCE UPON A DIME -- 30 min -- This cartoon shows the need for a medium of exchange from primitive times to today. [Elem.]
  • THE PEOPLE OF MARKET STREET -- A seven-tape series showing how economics influences one's life. Produced by Walt Disney Educational Media Co. Should not be duplicated. [H.S., College]

  • 1. Scarcity and Planning -- 16 min -- Explains the concept of scarcity: People want more goods in quantity and quality than are available. Also covers the problem of organizing work to achieve production.
  • 2. Cost -- 20 min -- Explains the concept of opportunity costs. Cost of any good, act or ;service is best alternative opportunity given up. Cost of giving up a party used as an illustration.
  • 3. Demand -- 21 min -- Economic analysis with explanation of the law of demand. The more something costs, the less people want it. Factors such as wealth, family size, tastes and type of work affect demand.
  • 4. Supply -- 20 min -- Shows how amount produced and supplied responds to market price, anticipated sales, selling price; how costs and profits guide a potential producer.
  • 5. Market Clearing Prices -- 23 min -- How price of a good equates amount demanded with amount supplied. Explains the role of inventories in helping provide a reliable supply at predictable prices.
  • 6. Wages and Production -- 18 min -- Applies demand and supply principles to labor. Explains how wage rates affect kinds and amount of labor services offered and demanded. Also describes some factors affecting wage rates.
  • 7. Property Rights and Pollution -- 19 min -- Contrasts how exchange of well-defined property rights can direct goods to their highest valued uses with difficulties encountered when property rights are not used, well-defined or exchangeable. Illustrated in the context of air and water usage.
  • PERSONAL FINANCE: NO-BRAINERS -- 60 min -- This informative video presents the main steps of successful personal finance: setting goals, financial planning, budgeting, saving, investing and reviewing the portfolio. [H. S., General Audience]
  • PIGGY BANKS TO MONEY MARKETS -- 30 min -- The young cast, original songs and live action help kids learn how to earn, save, spend, invest and give. [Lower Elem.]
  • THE PRIME-TIME WORLD OF MACROECONOMICS -- 120 min -- Learn all about price level, circular flow model, exchange rates, FDIC, disposable income, inflation, interest rates, aggregate demand, fiscal policy, net exports and other important fundamentals. [H.S., College]
  • TAX WHYS - UNDERSTANDING TAXES -- Part I 84 min; Part II 30 min -- Six-part program introduces some of the major issues of taxation. [H.S.]
  • TOO MUCH TOO LITTLE -- 22 min -- Traces the nation's monetary system from Colonial times to present. Focuses on money, how the money supply affects the economy and why Congress established the Federal Reserve System. [H.S.]
  • TO YOUR CREDIT -- 15 min -- Designed to acquaint general public with various consumer regulations administered by the Federal Reserve System. [H.S., College, Adult]
  • TRADE OFFS -- Part I Lessons 1-6 (2 hrs); Part II Lessons 7-12 (2 hrs); Part III Lessons 13-15 (1 hr) -- 15 lessons, 20 min. each, designed to help students think their way through economic problems. Topics include: cost, decision-making, productivity, specialization, capital goods, human capital, voluntary exchange, buyers market demand, sellers and market supply, and market clearing price. [H.S.]
  • WHERE THE BANKERS BANK -- 13 min -- Guided tour of one of the 12 district banks of the Federal Reserve System. Helps students gain an understanding of the nation's payments system. [Elem., Middle]
  • WILDE ABOUT TRADE -- 20 min -- Explains international trade and finance -- why nations trade, how foreign exchange rates are determined and how nations invest abroad. [H.S.]