Quantitative Easing & Tightening Reader's Theater Script | ECON 101.5 Series

This readers’ theater script, Quantitative Easing (QE) and Quantitative Tightening (QT), spans 12 scenes in a modern high school classroom. Students debate QE’s cash flood and QT’s pullback with Mr. Carter and Ms. Lopez, joined by Mia, Jay, Sara, and Liam. Historical economists—Ben Bernanke (2000s), Ludwig von Mises (1940s), Milton Friedman (1970s), and Friedrich Hayek (1970s)—drop in, tracing QE’s 2008 rescue to today’s $9 trillion debt and 7% inflation. From job booms to price surges, it explores why QE ruled then faltered, and QT’s fix. With 10 speaking roles, it’s built for grades 9-12, offering flexible casting.

The worksheet deepens analysis with varied questions:

• Short-Answer Questions (5): Test basics like “Why does Mia question QE?” with quotes on prices versus jobs.
• Long-Format Questions (5): Link concepts to life, like “How might Bernanke affect school loans?” tying history to now.
• Economic Concept Questions (5): Add research depth, like “Find U.S. debt 2019-2022” to probe QE’s cost, with data hints.
• Themes and Discussion Questions (4): Spark talks on winners versus losers, like “What’s a split in your life?” connecting to teens.
• Application Focus: Students cite evidence (e.g., Mises on inflation), link to today (e.g., loan rates), and weigh policies, building reasoning.

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What's included?

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS Grades 9~12, CCRA)
• Teacher Tips
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: Google Doc (6 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~10 Characters, 3700 words,
• Format: Google Doc (10 pages)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions
• 5 Economic Concept Research & Extension Questions
• Format: Google Slides (22 Slides)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about 50 minutes
• Depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.

Script Summary:

• Scene 1: Mr. Carter explains QE’s job boost, but Mia questions price hikes, kicking off the QE-QT clash.
• Scene 2: Ms. Lopez traces QE’s post-2008 rise and success, with Liam asking why inflation surged later.
• Scene 3: Jay defends QE for store growth, Sara slams its inflation cost, spotlighting trade-offs.
• Scene 4: Ben Bernanke justifies QE’s crisis rescue, facing Mia’s doubts on its lasting toll.
• Scene 5: Mia shows grocery price jumps and asset gaps, hinting at Austrian critiques of QE’s fallout.
• Scene 6: Ludwig von Mises blasts QE’s distortions, clashing with Jay’s faith, teasing the Cantillon effect.
• Scene 7: Sara pushes QT to curb inflation, Jay fears job losses, debating fixes amid QE’s cracks.
• Scene 8: Milton Friedman links money supply to inflation, with Liam probing QT’s timing risks.
• Scene 9: Ms. Lopez reveals QE’s $9 trillion debt, Mia ties it to loan rate hikes.
• Scene 10: Friedrich Hayek warns of QE’s bubbles, leaving Sara weighing QT’s market cure.
• Scene 11: Students vote QE versus QT, balancing jobs and prices in their lives.
• Scene 12: Teachers connect QE/QT to today’s rates and headlines, urging Liam to see the stakes.

Will this meet your classroom's needs?

Try this FREE Globalization & Tariffs script from the ECON 101.5 series first :)