All of the resources I have listed in The Best Sites To Learn About The U.S. Financial Crisis do just that — try to explain why we’re in our financial crisis.

I’m adding a new web tool into that mix that’s a little different (and California-centric).  It’s an online interactive from the Sacramento Bee that, with very little teacher guidance, English Language Learners can see how the downturn is affecting different regions in the Central Valley — including our own.

It’s called The Economy At A Glance.

Our students don’t really need help in seeing how it’s affecting their lives since they experience added financial hardships everyday. However, this kind of graphic begins to provide them with a slightly bigger picture.