Welcome to the Classroom Economist, our online multimedia teaching package featuring a number of resources to enhance your teaching of core economic topics.
Each module features video content that covers key concepts, with content ranging from informational videos to lectures from economists and master teacher lesson demonstrations. A voice-over PowerPoint lesson features a narrator speaking over slides. Also available is a SMART Board lesson on the topic. (Even if you don’t have a SMART Board, you can open and use the lessons; PowerPoint versions of the lessons are also included. See the instructions for using SMART files without a board.)
The Test Your Knowledge interactive quiz gauges students’ understanding—and yours—of the lesson. (You must view the quiz in slideshow mode. On the ribbon, select the Slide Show tab, then select From Beginning.) Finally, a resources guide provides links to a number of online tools that supplement the other materials.
Banking
These modules focus on topics related to banking.
Fractional Reserve Banking
The Classroom Economist looks into the inner workings of fractional reserve banking and answers these questions: What role does the Federal Reserve play in the U.S. banking system? What is the money creation potential of deposits? What is the money multiplier?
What Is Money?
In this edition, the Classroom Economist offers a close look at money—its definition, the problem it solves, what fiat money accomplishes, and how the Yapese used giant wheels of stone for money.
Economic Indicators
These modules focus on topics related to the economy.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
In this edition, the Classroom Economist discusses gross domestic product (GDP): what it is, how to measure it, and what it means to a country's economy.
Inflation
This inaugural issue of the Classroom Economist explains key concepts regarding inflation, including inflation targeting, the consumer price index, core inflation, and more.
Unemployment
The Classroom Economist takes a look at the labor market. It includes a discussion of how the labor market differs from a product market, what the different ways of looking at it are, and how to measure it.
Federal Reserve
These modules focus on topics related to the Federal Reserve System.
History of Central Banking
This edition of the Classroom Economist explores the early history of central banking in the United States, describing the evolution of banking from the late 1700s through the Great Depression, with a special focus on the Fed's role in the Depression.
Jekyll Island and the Creation of the Fed
In this lesson, students will learn about the early history of the Federal Reserve. They will learn about Jekyll Island’s past and about the Panic of 1907, the Aldrich-Vreeland Act, the origins and outcomes of the secret Jekyll Island meeting, and the passage of the Federal Reserve Act.
Monetary Policy
This edition of the Classroom Economist offers a look at the role of the Federal Reserve System in setting monetary policy, and describes the tools of monetary policy and the role that the banking system plays.
The Structure and Functions of the Federal Reserve
Wondering how to explain to your class the mixture of public and private elements that make up the Federal Reserve? This edition of the Classroom Economist offers unique tools to help you teach about the Federal Reserve System, including its evolution, components, responsibilities, and much more.
Infographics
Infographics are graphic representations of information that allow viewers to grasp information quickly. Use these infographics in the classroom to teach and reinforce economic concepts in a colorful and easy-to-understand format.
The Circular Flow Model 8/22/2018
This infographic explains how resources, goods and services, and payments move through the economy.
Economic Systems: How Do Countries Organize Economic Activity? 7/15/2015
This infographic covers the systems that societies develop to organize economic activity.
Entrepreneurs 8/22/2018
This infographic introduces students to the motivations and decision making of entrepreneurs and discusses their economic impact.
The Fed Explained 2/10/2015
This infographic highlights the basics about the Fed's structure, functions and the FOMC, its policymaking body.
Fiscal & Monetary Policy 8/4/2016
This infographic defines fiscal and monetary policy and highlights their key differences.
GDP 8/4/2016
This infographic highlights the basics about GDP.
Fiscal & Monetary Policy 8/4/2016
This infographic defines fiscal and monetary policy and highlights their key differences.
Maximum Employment 5/26/2017
This infographic highlights the goal of maximum employment and features labor market measures and terminology.
Price Stability 6/27/2017
This infographic highlights the goal of price stability and provides visual clues for price level measures and terminology.
Supply & Demand: How Do Markets Determine Prices? 7/15/2015
This infographic highlights basic concepts of this foundational theory of economics.
The Broad Strokes of Art's Economic Impact 2/4/2015
This infographic highlights the vital role the arts play in our economy using key economic concepts like gross domestic product and employment.
Trade: Why Do Nations Trade? 7/15/2015
This infographic presents the basics of international trade, covering such concepts as production possibility frontiers, absolute and comparative advantage, and more.
Your Connection to the Economy and the Federal Reserve 8/17/2017
Make the Fed more relevant to your students' lives using the Richmond Fed's infographic, Your Connection to the Economy and the Federal Reserve.