Download 8th Grade Social Studies

12th Grade Economics 2016-2017
Miss Braley
Conference Period: 11:00 – 11:45
What will we study in this class?
The purpose of this Economics course is to provide students a basic knowledge of economic principles
including the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services to satisfy human wants and needs.
The topics covered in this course will include:
1) Unit 01: Introduction and Basic Concepts
Students will learn basic economic concepts including scarcity, opportunity cost, and factors of
production. Students will also learn about the different economic systems, with an emphasis placed on the free
enterprise system– its advantages and disadvantages, and about the circular flow model of an economy.
2) Unit 2: Celebrate Freedom Week
Not applicable for spring semester.
3) Unit 3: Global Economy
This unit bundles student expectations that address the global economy. International trade is based on
specialization. Countries specialize and produce what they have a comparative advantage to produce or what
they can produce most efficiently with the lowest opportunity cost. In this unit students study about the concepts
of absolute and comparative advantage and apply the concept to life situations. When nations produce what they
can produce most efficiently and trade for the rest all those involved in the trade benefit, countries push the
production possibility frontier outward and experience growth without using additional resources or without
new technology.
4) Unit 4: Microeconomics -- Supply and Demand
During this unit students explore the concepts of demand and supply as well as the law of demand and
law of supply. Students reproduce a demand schedule and a supply schedule and use them to construct a
demand curve and a supply curve. They demonstrate the effect a change in price or a change in one of the nonprice determinant on a demand curve and a supply curve, and construct a market to demonstrate the effect a
change in supply or demand will have on the market equilibrium price. They define market structure (the
amount and degree of competition among firms competing in the same industry) and classify different
businesses into the appropriate market structure. Students also define the different market structures (perfect
competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly) and contrast the characteristics of each.
5) Unit 5: Personal Financial Literacy
During this unit students examine their personal role in the economy and their opportunities for
investment. Students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards and credit card debt, the role of
savings in the economy, different types of bank accounts, the rights and responsibilities of taking out a loan; the
importance of a good credit score, and the costs and benefits of renting or buying a home.
6) Unit 6: Macroeconomics – Government Policy
This unit bundles student expectations that address the role of government in the economy and the role
of economic indicators in determining public policy.
During this unit students interpret data and economic indicators, such as unemployment rate, Gross
Domestic Product, Per Capita GDP, inflation, and economic growth, to determine what a of the business cycle
and analyze the data to predict changes. Additionally, students will analyze more deeply the role productivity
plays in economic growth and how the Constitution affects the role of government in the economy (building on
introduction to the ideas begun in Unit 2, Celebrate Freedom Week). Students identify taxes that are paid to the
government and categorize the taxes into the type of tax (progressive, regressive or proportional). Students
identify the different spending categories of each level of government and analyze how government spending is
changing and growing. Additionally they examine the federal budget and identify types of budgets such as
deficit budget and surplus budget. Students also identify the current national debt and analyze the affect this
debt could have on the economy. Lastly, students will identify the types of fiscal policy and demonstrate their
understanding by analyzing economic data to determine which policy would be the appropriate action for the
government to take.
7) Unit 7: Macroeconomics – Money, Banking, and Federal Reserve
This unit bundles student expectations that address money and the banking system, including the
Federal Reserve system and monetary policy.
During this unit students learn about the banking system and Federal Reserve and analyze the effects of
monetary policy on the nation’s supply of money. They describe the functions and characteristics of money and
differentiate the different types of money or sources of value of money including commodity, representative,
and fiat money and compare and contrast the positive and negative aspects of barter, currency, debit cards and
credit cards. Students describe the structure and functions of the Federal Reserve System and analyze how the
Federal Reserve uses the tools of reserve requirement, discount rate, and open market operations. Students
examine the federal funds rate and understand that the Federal Reserve targets the federal funds rate.
What am I expected to bring to class each day?
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Pens (blue or black ink only), Map Pencils.
Complete assignments and/or make up work.
A positive attitude.
How will I be graded in this class?
GRADING GUIDELINES:
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12-15 daily grades per grading period (1-2 per week)
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3-5 major grades per grading period (tests and projects)
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9-week grade is calculated by averaging 50% of all major grades and
50% of all daily grades.
Student may re-test once if first test score is below 70. The highest grade a student may earn in gradebook on a
re-test is a 70.
MAKE-UP WORK: Student will have one day per each day absent to complete and turn in any make-up work
including daily and major grades. Student is responsible for making arrangements to come before or stay after
school as necessary.
Please Note: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get assignments from a classmate or myself, and
complete make-up assignments in a reasonable amount of time.
LATE-WORK POLICY: All work must be turned in on time. An assignment turned in one day late will receive
a grade of 70, and an assignment turned in two days late will receive a 50. Later assignments will not be accepted.
TUTORING: I am available for tutoring every Wednesday afternoon from 3:15 until 4:00 by appointment.
Please e-mail me if other arrangements need to be made.
What are the expectations for behavior in this class?
Of course, students are required to follow all school policies, as listed in the Student Handbook. While in this
classroom, you are also expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
Respect yourself (be on time, prepared, accept responsibility, set high goals).
Respect others (be courteous, be helpful, accept differences).
Respect and care for the room, the class materials, and the property of others.
Complete any class assignments to the best of your ability.
If the student does not meet expected classroom behavior, he/she will face swift and consistent consequences.
These consequences may vary, based upon school policy, severity of behavior, and/or student's intent. Typical
consequences include:
Verbal corrections
Conference with student
Conference with parent/guardian (by phone, email or in-person)
Detention
Office referral
It is my pleasure to work with you this year. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached by calling
the main office (281) 324-1845 and leaving a message with the secretary, or you may email me at:
[email protected]. I want our year together in Social Studies to be a successful one.
Sincerely,
Miss Braley
Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment
I have reviewed these guidelines with my son/daughter and will help him/her meet the expectations
and abide by the responsibilities in any way I can.
_______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature
Student Acknowledgment
I have read these guidelines and understand my responsibilities as a student in Ms. Braley’s class.
_______________________________________________
Student signature
It is very important that I am able to reach you during the school year. Please print the following information and
return to school with your son/daughter (a homework grade for returning this paper).
Student Name: _______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________________
Home Phone #_____________________________
Cell Phone # _________________________
Work Phone #______________________________
When is the most convenient time to call? __________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email Address: ________________________________________________________
Please describe any special concerns you have for your child (Optional):
By signing below, we agree to work together (teacher, parent, and student) to do everything possible to achieve
success in the classroom.
Parent/Guardian Communication and Support Form
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Miss Braley
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Parent/Guardian
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Student