Business and Economics Lesson Plans for Teachers

Teachers often hear the question, “When am I ever going to use this?” when teaching things like fractions, chemistry or other subjects. Learning about economics and money management, however, is obviously important for the world outside school. These online guides will help educators to develop lesson plans that will keep students interested in business, taxes, and economics:

Understanding Taxes for Teachers
Teaching students about taxes may seem intimidating to anyone who isn’t an accountant, but this helpful guide from the IRS presents it in an easily intelligible form. Here you’ll find a custom resource list, lesson plans, educational standards and even downloads and PowerPoint presentations describing the basic components of filing taxes.

Federal Reserve Education
The educational division of the Federal Reserve’s website offers classroom resources for students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. You can browse the website by lesson plans, activities or publications, and even search by topics on everything from financial fundamentals to monetary policy.

Investor.gov’s Classroom Resources
Investor.gov states that the best time for kids to learn about money is when they’re young, and that teaching children about managing their finances can help them be wise with money in the future. This website provides key topics and suggested activities for teaching kids about credit, savings and investments to help them make smart money decisions as adults.

Resources for Entrepreneurs from the Small Business Administration

You’ve always dreamed of owning your own business, but becoming an entrepreneur is a huge undertaking! These helpful articles from the U.S. Small Business Administration can help you figure out whether and how to start your own business.

Is Entrepreneurship for You?
This SBA article discusses both the benefits and pitfalls of becoming your own boss, and it paints a realistic picture of what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. Read the list of character traits necessary to become a successful entrepreneur, like independence, risk taking and creativity, to determine whether or not you would make a good business owner.

20 Questions Before Starting
These 20 questions will help you decide if you have all of the necessary tools to get your new enterprise up and running. On topics ranging from market research and customer service to sales, pricing, and financing strategies, this list of questions can help you think about the realities of running a business.

10 Steps to Starting a Business
A great deal of planning goes into starting a successful business, and the Small Business Association offers these 10 important steps to take to get your new company off the ground. Including everything from choosing a location to writing a business plan, these informative steps will help you become more prepared.

Keep Your Taxes Accurate with the IRS Withholding Calculator

If your W-4 form's out of date, it may be worthwhile to adjust it. This handy online calculator from the IRS will help you determine the necessary information to check your withholding form and, if necessary, learn how to fill out a new W-4 form.

Who can benefit from using the calculator?
Employees who would like to change their withholding, whose situations are only approximated by the worksheets, or those with non-wage income who would prefer to have tax on that income withheld are all good candidates for the withholding calculator.

What do I need to use the calculator?
Be sure to have your most recent pay stubs, income tax return, and estimates that are as accurate as possible on hand before using the calculator.

If, after using the calculator, you find that you need to change your withholding, simply use the results to help you complete a new W-4 form and give it to your employer.

IRS Withholding Calculator [IRS]

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