• Check Out Resources Online

• Resource Check Form

HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CATEGORIES:

• Middle School Audiovisuals

• Middle School Lesson Plan Guides and Reference Books

AUDIOVISUALS:

Note, some of the audiovisuals are available digitally (wma files), please let us know if you would prefer a flashdrive if available.

	10-J: The History of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City In the 1913, Congress created the Federal Reserve to bring financial stability to the nation after a number of banking panics. The Federal Reserve Act created a unique central bank. Regional offices located throughout the country and under the leadership of local directors blend with oversight from the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. to create a public-private partnership, mirroring the value Americans place on the regional distribution of responsibility and the importance of checks and balances. This DVD explores the roots of this innovative banking structure. Grades 4-12    38 mins.    1990, Pacific Arts Video Publishing PBS Watch Online
	Ben Franklin From in-depth interviews with renowned biographers and historians, to reenactments shot on location in Philadelphia, this DVD is a remarkable virtual “walk” in Ben Franklin’s footsteps.  The History Channel recounts his life in an absorbing presentation, with narration coming from noted actor Edward Herrmann. Grades 6-12   100 mins.    2005, The History Channel
	Black Oil: The Story of Oil A timely look at oil, the “black gold” of the ground.  This History Channel presentation chronicles the birth and rise of the oil industry in the United States. It is seen from its fledgling beginnings, through the days of John D. Rockefeller and the robber barons, to the Gulf War and the present. Grades 6-12   50 mins.    2005, The History Channel
	Bubble Download: The True Story of the Internet Technology journalist John Heileman presents the story of the Internet revolution and its cultural, commercial, and social impact to our lives. The founders of Amazon.com and eBay, Jeff Bezos and Pierre Omidyar, tell the story of how their businesses grew from nothing to dominate the global economy and profoundly change the way we live our lives. BUBBLE traces the growth of the dot.com stock market bubble and illustrates how rapid growth in the industry and investor speculation caused the U.S. recession of 2001. Grades 6-12    43 mins.    2009, Discovery Communications, LLC
	Buy Me That Too!: A Kid’s Survival Guide to TV Advertising Most children watch 30,000 - 40,000 television commercials a year, and can’t tell the difference between an advertising fantasy and reality. This video helps children weave through the maze of TV advertising by showing tricks advertisers use to fool viewers and revealing facts that ads don’t provide. Introduces clips from actual commercials, movies and video games and gives tips for spotting deceptive ads. Request teacher guide. Grades 3-6    30 mins.   1992, Ambrose Video Publishing Watch online  Part 1  /  Part 2
	Buy Now, Pay Later What is “credit” and why is your “credit rating” a valuable asset? Viewers meet a young couple out to buy a TV set, and learn the pitfalls of buying on credit. Viewers learn that “buying credit” often costs more than the merchandise. Find out how to establish and protect credit, how to “repair” credit, and how to maintain a line of credit.   Grades 7-12    23 mins.    1996, Learning Seed
	Capitalism, Socialism and Communism Introduces students to systems of government, defining the political, economic and social aspects of each. Current political upheavals are put into perspective as the history of these systems is traced through Russia, Europe, Asia, the U.S. and Africa.   Grades 7-10    23 mins.   Learning Group
	Chickenomics Series 1. Chickenomics: A Fowl Approach to Economics - Experiences the key aspects of a market economy: private property, consumer sovereignty, self-interest and competition. 2. Chickenpower: A Fowl Look at Energy Prices - Remembering the energy crisis of the 70’s, how prices affect supply/demand and demonstrates the folly of price controls. 3. Chickenfeed: A Fowl Look at Money - Demonstrates key aspects of money, exchange, money substitutes, supply and inflation. Grades 4-12    approx. 20 mins. ea.    or 1985, WRI Education
	Common Cents: The Johnny “Gullible” Story A memorable and fun presentation teaching the use of a budget, savings, credit cards and cash advances, credit reports, auto financing and insurance  A teacher’s guide booklet and CD-ROM with games, lesson plans and activities are included as part of this Common Cents boxed set, which interest and encourage discussion. Grades 6-12    15 mins.    and CD 2003, State Farm
	Creating Our Economy A comprehensive video-supported economics resource for fifth through eighth grade students. With real-life applications representing a range of industries and enterprises, the series explores key economic principles from the inside out. Go to the farm, get on the production line with manufacturing, and visit with education and the service sector. 1. International Trade 2. Markets and Competition 3. Markets and Prices 4. Monopoly and Competitive Markets 5. Productive Resources Grades 5-8     Five 20-min. segments    2006, Agency for Instructional Technology
	Discovering the Hot Stocks Early: Successful Stock Selection Strategies Wall Street brokerage firms spend billions yearly on research, seeking to divine the future of stock prices from the insights and observations of paid analysts who closely monitor the progress of American corporations, both large and small. However, in light of recent market scandals, how can you be sure whose research you can really trust? Learn from one of the best portfolio managers, Mitch Zacks as he reveals which subtle analytical factors actually provide the most accurate prediction of future stock-price performance. Grades 4-12    60 mins.    2004, Marketplace Books
	The Drew Carey Project -Volume 1 Ever think that the government doesn't know best? Can the news media always be counted on to get the story straight? Drew Carey hosts four teaching videos that challenge some commonly held assumptions. Traffic Gridlock highlights innovative private-sector solutions to the problem of traffic congestion. How does a speedy trip on the "Drew Carey Freeway" sound? How about a helicopter ride to work? Living Large challenges the claim that the American middle class is being squeezed. The media and politicians tell us that it's all doom and gloom for those of us who are neither millionaires nor welfare cases. What do you think? Dance Ban is a modern-day "Footloose" story. In Arizona, a steak house featuring live music went into business. Then the county officials invoked an ordinance that banned dancing. So go ahead and eat - but watch that toe-tapping! Officials in National City (California), a predominantly Hispanic community, pushed to tear down an athletic center for struggling kids to make way for luxury condos. Why would they do that? Grades 6-12   34 mins.      2008, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	The Drew Carey Project -Volume 2 Food Fight investigates how licensing affects entrepreneurship on the streets of Los Angeles. In downtown LA, people are hungry for the local delicacy - bacon dogs. But selling them can land street vendors in jail. Take a trip with Drew Carey into the black market world of selling bacon dogs. Kidneys for Sale tackles the controversial topic of organ donation. Each year in the U.S., thousands of people die while on the waiting list for a kidney. What if donors could be paid? Throw Pillow Fight challenges a growing licensing movement in the field of interior design. Do decorating decisions affect the health, welfare, and safety of consumers? Can unlicensed interior designers put your life at risk? Who benefits from Agricultural Subsidies? Some argue that agricultural subsidies are necessary to protect America's farmers and ensure a steady food supply. Critics say U.S. farm programs cost taxpayers billions each year, significantly raise the price of commodities, undermine world trade agreements, and contribute to the suffering of poor farmers around the world. Grades 6-12   33 mins.      2010, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	Economics: What’s It All About? This unit is designed to teach students the basic principles of economics as they relate to our system of free enterprise. Such concepts as supply and demand, inflation, labor and management, and profit and loss are explained in an enjoyable, easy-to-understand manner. Using examples to which the youngsters will relate, these stimulating programs provide insight into the variety of roles they them-selves play as active participants in our economic system. 1. A Promise to Pay - Children learn about currency in this educational live-action program featuring real-world examples and an easy-to-understand format. The program presents money as a medium of exchange and demonstrates how it enables a value for goods and services to be set. 2. I Have It, They Want It - Children are introduced to the concept of supply and demand in this educational live-action program featuring real-world examples and an easy-to-understand format. 3. Buy Mine - This educational live-action program examines the basic concepts of the free enterprise system, using real-world examples and an easy-to-understand format. 4. I'll Pay Later - Children are introduced to the role of banks in a free enterprise sys-tem in this educational live-action pro-gram featuring real-world examples and an easy-to-understand format. Grades 4-7        4-Volume Set 10 mins. Ea.       2007, January Productions
	Economics by Choice Illustrate basic economics concepts for children with classroom activities that relate to their own lives. Produced in cooperation with the National Center of Economic Education for Children, this documentary, hosted by Dr. Lois Abeles, illustrates the concepts of unlimited wants, scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost. Request teacher guide. Grades 3-6     18 mins.   1985, Disney Films
	Everyone's Space Host Scott Bakula (of Star Trek and Quantum Leap) shows how competition drives innovation - even in space exploration. In the 1960s, the intense rivalry between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. fueled the Space Race, culminating in Neil Armstrong's "giant leap" in 1969. The near future seemed to hold great promise for commercial space flight and space tourism. But in the intervening years, NASA's accomplishments have been underwhelming.  Now, the most exciting innovations are found in the private sector, where the Ansari X-Prize contest inspired enterprising teams to race toward the goal of developing a cost-efficient, reusable space craft.   Grades 6-12   17 mins.      2008, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	Famous Amos: The Business Behind the Cookie A delightful look at entrepreneurship and concepts important to start-up, growth and success of a new business. Request discussion guide. May be copied. Grades 6-12    30 mins.    1985, American Economic Life
	The Foundations of Wealth Most of us associate wealth with money but real wealth can only be achieved through the production and distribution of goods and services. This series of ten playful English segments will explain how society evolved in such a way to enable a huge increase in production to be achieved. Of course there were no television cameras or film crews available 10,000 years ago to record what happened, so this series uses cartoons to illustrate how things might have been all those years ago! Each cartoon section is followed by real-world images showing how this is relevant today. Grades 5-8     115 mins.    2005, In the Classroom Media Download Teacher Guide
	Freedom's Sound The Estonia Piano Company is one of Estonia's most remarkable success stories. Under Communist rule, the company built pianos exclusively for the Soviet Union. There was no competition, no incentive to improve. The instruments were sturdy, but hardly world-class. After independence, the company had to quickly adapt, or fail in the face of competition from around the world. Through entrepreneurship and innovation, the Estonia Piano Company reinvented itself, and now produces pianos for the world market that rival Steinway in quality - at about half the price. For workers as well as consumers, Estonia has  shown the world that freedom works! Grades 6-12   12 mins.      2002, izzit.org Download Teacher Guide  /  Watch Online
	From Poop to Profits What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?  This is the story of dairy farmer Brad Morgan, told in his own words.  When falling milk prices threatened his business, Morgan didn't give up.  He Innovated.  He came up with an idea for turning manure into something he hoped consumers would value.  He took risks, worked hard, and - by serving consumer's needs - succeeded far beyond his expectations.   Grades 4-12   11 mins.      2009, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	The Global Economy Study the partnerships that political and economic leaders have forged in the 20th century. Students will see how such regional organizations as the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, as well as such global organizations as the World Trade Organization and the World Bank, came to fruition and have contributed to our global economy. The program also investigates the nature of free trade and protection, including how the global economy affects local markets. Grades 6-8    20 mins.    2003, Clearvue and Sve
	Gold!: The History of Man’s Greatest Obsession “Gold” ventures across the world and through the ages to tell the story of mankind’s oldest obsession.  It examines every aspect of our complicated relationship with this most precious of metals, from the gilded dreams of conquistadors and ‘49ers to gold’s role in shaping economies and societies.  Visits to the world-famous museums showcase the glittering treasures of ancient civilizations, while an extraordinary tour of a three-mile-deep mine in South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin offers a rare, up-close view of workers wrestling the timeless treasures from the clutches of the earth. Grades 6-12    appox. 200 mins. total (2 disc.)    2001, A&E Television Networks
	Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism “Most of the people in the world today call the name of their dream Socialism”. - Michael Harrington, 1968. Much of the history of the past 200 years revolved around a single idea. It was the vision that life could be lived in peace and brotherhood if only property were shared by all and distributed equally, eliminating the source of greed, envy, poverty and strife. This idea was called "socialism" and it was a man's most ambitious attempt to supplant religion with a doctrine grounded on science rather than revelation. It became the most popular political idea in history.   Grades 6-12   180 mins.   2005, New River Media and PBS
	History of the U.S. Constitution It is our nation's most revered document and a creation of mankind's enduring search for liberty and freedom. It resonates with the spirit of the times during which it was conceived and serves as a guide to an unknown and rapidly changing future. It is the United States of America's Constitution. In this series we shall see how this document has protected the American people from the abuses of power and tyranny and how for over two centuries the principles set forth by the U.S. Constitution have empowered Americans to excel and aspire to greatness - great art, great literature, excellence and leadership in science and technology. The Constitution has enabled the United States to become the world's most prosperous and most powerful nation. The series features easy to use menus and includes comprehensive ancillary materials: teacher guides, maps, documents, test blanks, and Spanish and English subtitle options on every disc. Grades 7-12    224 minutes (4 discs)    2005, Ambrose Video Publishing/Centre
	Ice Cream & Economics Chronicles the success story of the founders of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream Company. Learn how two offbeat businessmen went from listing an old van, a Volvo, an old couch, and a sailboat as collateral on their loan application, to being named National Small Business Persons of the Year.   Grades 6-12    15 mins.    or 1988, Pyramid Films
	Katrina’s Classroom: Financial Lessons from a Hurricane Meet Nick, Jacquelyn, and Jamie. Through these teenagers' stories, middle and high school students and their families will learn the importance of being financially prepared. This is a four-chapter, DVD-based curriculum that teaches students about financial responsibilities such as budgeting, banking, savings, and wise use of credit. The curriculum includes lesson plans and student activities tied to each five-minute video segment. Grades 6-12    approx. 7 mins. each    2008, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
	The New Coloradoans: Immigration in Colorado for Middle School The program was developed to help Colorado students understand the complexity of the immigration issue in our state and nationally, to raise awareness of varying perspectives on the issue, and to engage students in a way that will encourage them to keep informed on issues and ad-vocate for their own views. Grades 6-8    30 mins.    2006, The Piton Foundation and Rocky Mountain PBS
	Pennies a Day Thirty years ago, Professor Muhammad Yunus left the classroom where he had been teaching economics, and ventured out into the poor rural villages of his native Bangladesh to try to discover what prevented these hard-working people from escaping poverty. In one village, Yunus found that for a total of just $27, he could make life-changing loans to 40 women. Thus was born the idea of microcredit—giving very small loans to poor people to allow them to start successful businesses. Grades 6-12   13 mins.      2002, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide  /  Watch Online
	The Power of Choice: Stossel in the Classroom Topics: Global Warming Debate; Federal Spending; Running the Country; Deb and Responsibility; Prediction Markets, Swimming and Lawsuits; Healthcare and Profit; and Costs of "Free" Healthcare Grades 9-12      2009, ABC News
	The Price System In Part I, two high school students are researching their homework online when they come across a lecture on free market economy given by Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman. Friedman uses I, Pencil, a short story by Leonard Read, to explain how a free market economy operates, stating there is nobody in the world who knows how to make a pencil. He explains that thousands of people worldwide manufacture the various components of a pencil. Part II focuses on the mechanism that makes a free market economy so successful: the price system. Milton explores how the price system has enabled the United States to develop.   Grades 6-12   12 mins.    2006, izzit.org
	Reconstruction:  The Second Civil War Despite victory over the South in 1865, Abraham Lincoln warned that the future would be “fraught with great difficulty.” He called the task Reconstruction. Spanning the momentous years from 1863 to 1877, this video tracks the extraordinary stories of ordinary Americans – Southern and Northern, white and black – as they struggle to shape new lives for themselves in a world turned upside down. Grades 6-12    180 mins.    2004, PBS Video, WBGH Boston
	Return to Mocha An entertaining prehistoric family develops their simple barter economy into a market system through specialization. An excellent introduction to international trade and comparative economic systems. Request teacher guide. May be copied.  Grades 6-12    28 mins.      or   1988, Nevada Center for Economic Education Download Teacher Guide Watch Online   Part 1   /  Part 2  /  Part 3
	Secret History of the Credit Card The average American family today carries a total of 10 credit cards. Credit card debt and personal bankruptcies are now at an all time high. With no legal limit on the amount of interest or fees that can be charged, credit cards have become the most profitable sector of the American banking industry. How the credit card industry became so pervasive, so lucrative, and so politically powerful. Grades 7-12    60 mins.    2004, PBS Video, WBGH Boston
	Stock Market Adventure A fast-paced, eight-minute video designed to motivate students to learn about the world of stocks in our financial system. Sponsored by Fidelity Investments, it features Peter Lynch, legendary mutual fund manager, and includes a two-page teacher's guide.  Grades 4-12    7 mins.    Fidelity Investments
	Ten Trillions and Counting: Frontline All of the measures by the feds to stem the tide in the financial meltdown have added hundreds of billions of dollars to our national debt. FRONTLINE reports on how this debt will constrain and challenge the new administration, and on the growing chorus, that without fiscal reform the US government may face a debt crisis of its own in years to come that make the current financial problems look almost painless by comparison.  Through interviews with leading Experts and insiders in government finance, the film investigates the causes and potential outcomes of - and possible solutions to - America's $10 trillion debt. Grades 6-12    60 mins.    2009, PBS
	The Ultimate Resource Over the past quarter century, hundreds of millions of people around the world have escaped from the darkness of dire poverty.  Economic reforms have unleashed the powerful forces of competition & incentives, spurring innovation all over the world & allowing for the betterment of life on Planet Earth.  The Ultimate Resource profiles the lives of individuals around the globe who are applying their intelligence, imagination, & spirit to advance the well-being of their families & communities. Grades 6-12   57 mins.      2007, Free to Choose Media
	The Ultimate Resource: Eusebio's Dream High in the Andes Mountains of Peru lie the ruins of Machu Picchu, the historic royal retreat of the Inca empire. Eusebio Mendez Atau and his family farm the land as did Eusebios father and grandfather for the last 100 years. Still, he is unable to hold legal title to the land on which his livelihood depends. Without legal title, Eusebio cannot get a loan to buy more seed or more land. He cannot borrow to educate his children or improve his home. Nor can he benefit from the sale of the property. Through the work of The Institute for Liberty and Democracy in Lima, which fights for property rights and the rule of law, Eusebios Dream has finally come true. Eusebio and his neighbors have received legal title to their land at last! Grades 4-12   12 mins.    2002 izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	The Ultimate Resource: The People's Economy For much of the twentieth century, China was a poor communist country. But over the past twenty-five years, 400 million people in China have escaped the dire poverty of living on less than $1 a day. Average real incomes have increased 440%. The city of Shanghai now stands as a dramatic symbol of the fastest growing major economy in world history. Hundreds of thousands of people work in skyscrapers, some among the tallest in the world. Privately owned designer boutiques line the city's streets. It would seem that Communist China is using free trade to reinvent itself--but not entirely. In The People’s Economy we meet Shi Hai and his employees at internet gaming company Snail Game. They are navigating the delicate path between China's cultural traditions and their bold, new ideas. China still faces many challenges, including widespread poverty in the countryside. One important question remains unanswered: Will China's new economic freedoms lead to political freedom for the Chinese people?   Grades 4-12   12 mins.      2010, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	The Ultimate Resource: Victoria's Chance In a small fishing village in Ghana, a child is being celebrated. A welcoming ceremony -- "Kpodziemo" or "Outdooring"-- is held only after the mother believes her child will survive. This age-old ceremony is about the dreams of all parents for all children.  Joshua Korley has been fishing his entire life. His most prized possession is his outboard motor. He nets about 50 dollars a week, when the fishing is good. Joshua believes his lack of education has been a setback in his life. His daughter, 12-year-old Victoria, has a dream: to become a doctor. Public schools in Ghana are free, but overcrowded. There are 73 students in a class. Joshua wants something better for Victoria.   Grades 4-12   11 mins.      2008, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	Understanding the Stock Market This interactive CD-ROM gives an overview of how the stock market works, market cycles, and information sources for sound decision making. It can be used by teachers or students and is a great resource for the Stock Market Game. Grades 6-12     CD-ROM 2002, SIFEE
	Unintended Consequences: Eminent Domain In 2005, the US Supreme Court took on the most important property rights case in the history of our country. The Kelo case pitted homeowners in New London, CT against city officials who wanted to use the power of eminent domain to redevelop the area in the hope of creating jobs and increasing tax revenues. The homeowners resisted, arguing that eminent domain power should only be used for public projects like roads and schools. Ultimately, however, the Court upheld the city's right to turn over the homeowners' property to private land developers. Since that ruling, the use of eminent domain to transfer property from one private owner to another private owner has increased dramatically. The controversial Kelo v. New London decision sparked a nation-wide debate about the importance of property rights that continues today. Grades 4-12   12 mins.    2007, izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	Unintended Consequences: The Great Depression The Great Depression of the 1930s was the greatest economic calamity in American history. It was as hard on children & teens as it was on adults. Their fathers had lost their jobs, they'd been evicted from their homes, even their schools had gone bankrupt & closed their doors. How could this have happened in the richest country on earth? Had capitalism failed in America? Or could it have been a case of Unintended Consequences? Could the Depression have been avoided? Grades 7-12   12 mins.      2002, Izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	Yours and Mine: The Lesson of 1623 Did the Mayflower pilgrims wear black with brass buckles? Did they survive by sharing, having commonly owned property? Filmed at the Plimoth Plantation Living History Museum in Massachusetts, this short drama sets the record straight by explaining what really happened there in 1623. Includes teacher’s guide. Grades 4-9    12 mins.     2006, izzit.org Download Teacher Guide
	Your Life Your Money: Empowering Young Adults to Get Their Money Right Told through real-life stories by a series of engaging characters, this presents a broad range of fundamental financial information from basic banking to loans and insurance. The program describes the money management successes and challenges of six young adults (from diverse backgrounds and representing a diversity of ethic backgrounds and career choices) and, through their stories, teaches viewers about key personal finance topics such as the wise use of credit, investing for retirement, and insurance. Hosted by Donald Faison (Scrubs). Grades 6-12    60 mins.    2009, PBS