How do you engage, empower, and inspire the next generation? This was the question that brought together more than 300 New York State teachers, both in-person and online, at the annual convention of the New York State Council for the Social Studies in Albany, New York. The New York Fed’s Economic Education team, which produces content and programs for educators, students, and the public, presented its high school lesson plan, “How Does Where You Live Influence How You Live?”, at the 2022 conference.
Using an interactive online classroom tool, two members of the team gave a comprehensive view of the lesson plan, which focuses on redlining, to social studies teachers from around the state. The teachers discussed the lesson plan’s overarching question, as well as three related questions: What is redlining? What wealth inequalities exist now because of redlining? What health inequalities exist now because of redlining?
Teachers shared their own best practices and discussed where the lesson and activities might fit into their curriculum. The New York Fed team connected them with primary source documents, such as maps, and additional resources. The team also met with a representative of the New York State Department of Education to discuss various ways to support New York State teachers and students and demonstrate how economics applies to students’ learning and in their everyday lives. These engagements not only allow us to share our materials, but also represent opportunities to make connections and partner with educators on future projects.
The New York Fed’s Econ Ed team, which is comprised of experienced educators, provides accredited professional development, curriculum resources, and economic information — all freely available to help engage students from middle school to college. The team also offers classroom visits, in which New York Fed staff members give interactive presentations that introduce topics such as the Federal Reserve System, monetary policy, and college financing.
Our free educational materials, including “How Does Where You Live Influence How You Live?” the Economist Spotlight Series, activity sheets from our Museum and Learning Center, career resources, and educational comic books and accompanying lesson plans are available on our content for educators page. See the New York Fed’s Economic Education page to learn more.
Chaeri Han is an economic education analyst in the Communications and Outreach Group at the New York Fed.
This article was originally published by the New York Fed on Medium.
The views expressed in this article are those of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the New York Fed or the Federal Reserve System.
