
Grades 9-12
Teaching Fiscal Policy in the COVID Era: Who Gets Bailed Out and Why?
Presenter: Chris Cannon
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Students view a video and answer questions about Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Graphs of real GDP per capita are used to demonstrate that the same set of data can be shown in different ways. Students are introduced to the concept of misleading graphs and complete an activity to identify misleading aspects of graphs. Working in groups, students support a given headline statement by manipulating a graph using an interactive tool. This will teach scale, origin, and units on a graph along with what makes a graph misleading. The lesson assumes students are able to calculate rate of change.
75-90 minutes (If taught in two class periods, do procedure steps 1-18 the first day and 19-35 the second day.)
Multiple Choice
Country |
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births) |
Population (in millions) |
Real GDP (in millions of U.S. Dollars) |
Life Expectancy |
Australia |
4 |
22.3 |
922,870 |
82 |
Finland |
3 |
5.4 |
390,407 |
80 |
Germany |
3 |
81.8 |
3,204,596 |
81 |
Japan |
2 |
126.5 |
4,383,325 |
83 |
(NOTE: Data from FRED, 2011)
[Answer B.]
Constructed Response
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is considered by some to be a vital sign of the health of the U.S. stock markets. Below are two tables showing the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Compare and contrast the two graphs. If a person only saw Graph 2, what might they assume about the Dow Jones Industrial Average? Explain.
Graph 1:
Graph 2:
Sample answer: the two graphs are similar because they show the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) over a period of time, they both use index as the unit on the Y-axis, and they both have the same title. The graphs are different because they have different origins on each axis, cover a different time period, and have different increments on each scale. Graph 2 primarily shows a decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Given the limited number of years shown (2007 to 2009) one might assume that the DJIA only decreases over time.
Gross domestic product and Dow Jones Industrial Average graphs created using Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) available at: www.research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/
Grades 9-12
Presenter: Chris Cannon
Grades 9-12
Presenter: Brett Burkey
Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12