E-Learning Module: Federal Budget Allocation Activity

 

Overview

In this module you will learn how Congress decides how to allocate money we pay into the government, get a general idea of what Congress spends our money on, and learn how disagreement about how our money should be spent leads to difficult decisions and compromise among Members of Congress.

This E-learning module includes three sections: Welcome, Family Budgets, and Congressional Budgets. The Welcome section briefly explains some of the duties of Congress and describes the next two sections. The Family Budgets section defines the term budget and discusses how families create budgets. The Congressional Budgets section describes the national budget, explains where the money for the national budget comes from, and briefly discusses how Congress allocates the budget. This section also includes an interactive exercise where you will estimate what percentages you think are allocated to each of these categories, find out how they were allocated in the most recent budget, decide how you think the budget should be allocated, and compare your answers with what others think.

This module is best viewed in its entirety. You can progress through the module and discuss its main points in one class period.

 

Prerequisites

Prior to completing this E-learning module, students should:

• understand the organization and function of Congress, and
• understand percentages.

Navigating the E-Learning Module

Navigating this e-learning module is fairly intuitive; however, if the need arises, you may refer to the step-by-step guide below.

Once you begin this module, you will automatically progress through the Welcome, which includes an Introduction, Family Budgets, and the first part of Congressional Budgets. (If you wish to skip any part of the Welcome, you may do so by clicking SKIP INTRODUCTION.) You can complete the interactive exercise by following the steps below.

1. Click on a budget category. A description of the programs it funds will be displayed in the box located at the bottom of the screen.
2. Move the slider above the pie chart to set the percentage you believe was allocated to that category in 2005. The maximum for any category is 40%. Remember: Your estimates for all the categories should total 100%.
3. When you are done estimating the budget, click on SUBMIT to save your budget. Then click on ACTUAL BUDGET in the second box below the pie chart.
4. View the actual budget for 2005. If you wish, you can click on each button to see the description of the program it funds. Click on WHAT YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE when you are done with this screen.
5. Decide what you think the Federal Budget should be. Click on a category. Move the slider above the pie chart to set the percentage you believe should be allocated for each category.
6. When you are done allocating the categories, click the SUBMIT button. Then click on WHAT OTHER PLAYERS THINK.
7. View the average of what others who have used the Budget Allocation activity believe the Federal Budget actually is and what it should be. Click on ESTIMATES to see what others believe the budget actually was in the year 2005, and SHOULD BE to see what they think it should have been. When you are done, click SUMMARY. How do your estimates compare to those of others?
8. Listen to former Congressman Lee Hamilton summarize the main points of this module.
9. If you wish, you may visit the suggested Web sites. Each site will open in a new screen.

Helpful Hints

Make sure your students understand each of the categories listed in the budget allocation activity. You may want to provide more examples of programs that each category funds.