Teaching Students About Public Debt
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As a teacher, educating students about public debt is definitely not an easy task. However, it is a subject that every student must know about. Whether they realize it or not, public debt affects the future of their communities, state, and country. So, it is essential to students learn about public debt and its impact.
Here are some useful approaches to help students learn:
Make it relevant and relatable
Teach your students about public debt by giving practical examples that pertain to their everyday life. Discuss what happens if you take out a loan, and the interest on that loan continues to accrue until it is repaid. Use examples of credit cards, car loans, and mortgages to explain the concept in a way that is relevant to the student’s life.
Use Real-Life Data
Displaying and using real-life data is another effective method to teach students about public debt. The U.S debt clock, available online, displays the national debt, different spending categories, and other deb-related topics. It’s an excellent tool to help students visualize how much money the U.S. Government owes to creditors, and how it affects public policy.
Discuss the Impact of Public Debt on Their Generation
Public debt is a growing concern for younger generations, who will ultimately be responsible for repaying the debt. Engage students in a discussion about how public debt is relevant to their generation’s future. Discuss the potential impacts, both positive and negative, of government spending when it comes to loans and debts.
Encourage Critical Thinking
Teach the students to form their opinions on various ways of spending public money. Encourage critical thinking about different ways to cut costs, increase revenue, and manage public debt. By knowing where their taxes go, students will understand the value of responsible money management.
Implement Debates and Discussions
Finally, practice various debating techniques and discussions. Organize group debates on topics such as reducing government spending, creating new programs to improve the economy, or raising taxes to pay off public debt. Students will be able to share their opinions, work on their public speaking, and develop critical thinking skills.
To conclude, teaching students about public debt and economics can seem intimidating, but with a practical, relevant and assisted curriculum, it can become an informative subject that students will appreciate. By providing students with a solid understanding of the economy and public debt, they will better understand the government, its regulations and the effects of their decisions on their future.