Indiana Social Studies GE.5.9

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Money and Banking: Role of Monetary and Fiscal Policies

The Standard

Analyze and discuss the structure of, the purpose for, and the effects of government taxation.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify how income, sales, and property taxes are collected. They explain why governments collect taxes and compare effects on household budgets, business choices, and public services.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can tell which taxes apply to a paycheck, a purchase, and a home. They can calculate tax owed under different rates and explain who pays more and how the revenue might be used.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a higher tax bracket applies to all of a person's income, rather than just the income in that bracket. They may also think sales tax takes the same share of every household's income because everyone pays the same rate at checkout.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A household earns $100. The first $40 is taxed at 10% and the rest at 20%. Find its tax, then name one public use for the money and one effect on the household's spending.

Lesson moves

Give pairs mock $40 and $100 paychecks and play money; collect 10% on the first $40 and 20% above $40, then compare.
Ask: If two families each buy a $100 coat and pay $6 sales tax, why might that tax strain one family's budget more?
Play tax-card match: pair income, sales, and property tax cards with a pay stub, store receipt, and tax bill, then name who pays each.
Show a one-page city budget excerpt; students circle a tax revenue line, underline a funded service, and predict one effect of a revenue cut.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to GE.5.9, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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