For Teachers: Lessons on Gross Domestic Product

The Stock Market Game Week in Review: Feb. 25-29

Friday, Feb. 29: Leap Day. This extra day is added to the calendar every four years to help synchronize the calendar year to the astronomical or seasonal year, or the length of time it takes the earth to complete its orbit around the sun, which is approximately 365 ¼ days.

While some view this date as Sadie Hawkins Day with women given the "right" to propose to men, most view it as just another work day. Many on Wall Street, however, wished this leap day was an opportunity for the markets to "adjust" themselves into positive territory as it was another rough week.

Last week, the U.S. dollar dipped further, reaching a new low against the euro, after data confirmed the U.S. economy nearly screeched to a halt at the end of last year, limiting the Fed's options as it tries to steer through the housing and credit crises. The Commerce Department report stated the U.S. economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), grew at a scant 0.6% pace during the October to December quarter, compared with a much healthier 4.9% during the previous quarter. ...