Taxes Discussion Prompts & Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Taxes Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What do you know about taxes?

What are some services taxes pay for?

Do kids ever pay tax? Why or why not?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 0:47: What do you use that is paid for by taxes?

Timecode 1:20: How do taxes today differ from taxes long ago?

Timecode 2:09: Is sales tax a state or federal tax? Why?

Timecode 3:01: Why do higher-earning people usually pay more tax?  

Timecode 3:48: What happens if too much tax money is taken from your paycheck throughout the year? What happens if too little is taken?

After the Movie

How might people who don’t have tax payments taken out of a weekly paycheck make sure they have enough money for tax day?

What service funded by taxpayers would you miss most, if it were to disappear overnight?

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.