Subject(s):
Economics, U.S.
Estimated Time:
One 45-minute class period
Grade Level:
10-12th
Objective:
Students Will:
-
Learn the definition of sequestration.
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Learn about government budgets, spending and cuts.
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Learn about the potential impact of Sequestration on communities across America.
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Learn the difference between layoffs and furloughs.
Procedure:
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Begin a discussion about sequestration by proposing these warm up questions:
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What is a budget?
-
An estimate of costs, revenues, and resources over a specified period, used to predict future financial conditions and goals.
(Source:
BusinessDictionary.com
)
-
What is debt?
-
A duty or obligation to pay money, deliver goods, or provide service under an agreement.
(Source:
Business Dictionary.com
)
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How much money do you think the U.S. government has borrowed?
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Have students watch the first part of this PBS NewsHour Report on Sequestration:
Despite Gloomy Urgings, No Signs of Give From Congress on Sequester
-
Ask students what they think will happen. Questions might include:
-
What is a layoff?
-
The act of suspending or dismissing an employee.
(Source:
Free Dictionary
) What is a furlough?
A temporary layoff or a reduction in work days with a corresponding reduction in take-home pay
(Source:
Free Dictionary
)
-
What are the differences between a layoff and a furlough?
-
A furlough is a temporary, defined period of unpaid time off, at the end of which the employee returns to work on a paid basis. On the other hand, a
layoff
is the removal of an employee from the workforce, without pay and without guarantees of returning to work.
(Source:
Lawyers.com
)
-
Students should use this
writing prompt
to assess their understanding of the issue:
-
What is sequestration?
-
It's a series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to government agencies, totaling $1.2 trillion over 10 years. The cuts would be split 50-50 between defense and domestic discretionary spending.
-
Additional
writing or discussion prompts
.
