Plan for success: Economics 2013-2014

Instructor: Mr. Sergio Gutierrez Phone: 602-764-3228 Room: 823 Email: [email protected]

Economics course overview: This .5 credit senior level social studies course is an introduction to the foundations and methods of economics. Economics is the study of how people choose to use their limited resources to produce, exchange, and consume goods and services, and how these scarce resources are allocated among competing individuals, businesses, governments and societies. The course will examine the characteristics of different economic systems, the essential component of private property in a free market economy, the role of government in the economy, and the effects of international trade and development on societies. Students will gain an understanding of their own actions, of the world around them and be given the power to view the world from an economic perspective. Economic Unit Outline: Unit 1: Fundamental Economics --- Scarcity; Systems Unit 2: Microeconomics: Supply and Demand, Price and Market Power Unit 3: Macroeconomics: Money and Banking; GDP and Economic Growth; Societal Challenges; Taxes, Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy Unit 4: Global Economics: Economic Systems; Trade and Development Unit 5: Personal Finance Decision-Making: Career and Education; Saving and Investing State and District standards for Economics: State standards will be strictly followed as they form the basis for the district final exam. Students may request a copy of the standards and performance objectives for each unit listed above.

Student Responsibilities and Classroom Guidelines: R*E*S*P*E*C*T* -Respect for learning: Be prepared for each days lesson. Come to class on time and come prepared to learn with the appropriate materials (Agenda, pen/pencil, notebook, homework completed, etc.). I have created and prepared for each lesson, to make it as interesting as possible, and to ensure your success this semester. I ask the same of each of my students---be prepared! Participate in discussions and group assignments; complete reading and writing assignments. Find the joy in learning and discover the rewards of challenging yourself! - Respect for self: You are valuable and important --- always do your best! - Respect for others: Keep an open mind and actively listen to others --- you may learn something! Please speak to and treat others as you wish to be treated. - Respect for manners (part 1): Please turn off cell phones and put them away when entering class. Please do not text message and/or use cell phones during class! Campus rules now include No Electronic Devices in the classroom. You will be asked to please hand them over for the class period, if it becomes apparent you cannot control yourself during class. - Take responsibility for all your actions: Economics is about choice --- this is your education, your life --- make the best choices for yourself and make the most of this opportunity! (A gentle reminder: this class is required for graduation!) Materials required: - Textbook: OSullivan, Arthur and Sheffrin, Steven M. Economics: Principles in Action. Prentice-Hall. 2007 - Students are responsible for all assignments and staying organized. A three-ring notebook binder is strongly recommended. Paper, pen and pencil should be brought to class each day. Grading: - Assignments each quarter will include, but are not limited to: weekly quizzes, reading guides, writing assignments, Internet research/analysis, lecture and video notes, and chapter/standards assessments. Class participation, and therefore attendance will also factor into the students grade for the semester.

- Reading and homework assignments are intended to help the student master the economics material in order to do well on each and/or unit test. Homework assignments will be graded by the student and be used as part of his or her review material for the tests. - Students are expected to take notes in class and actively participate in classroom activities and discussions. - Accommodations and modifications will be considered and implemented for those students with an IEP and/or 504 Plan. Grading Scale: The District has mandated the following grading system for each students final semester grade: mid-term exam accounts for 5% of the final grade; benchmark reading and writing assessments are worth 10% of the final grade and the final exam is worth 15% of the final grade. The total district mandated assessments are therefore worth 30% of the final grade. Additional tests, quizzes, participation/attendance, assignments, projects, etc. will comprise the remaining 70% of the final grade. 90 - 100% = A 80 89% = B 70 79% = C 60 69% = D 59% and below = F Superior Work Above average Average Below average Failing

Extra-credit: Opportunities for extra=credit will be given and are weighted at 2% of the final grade

Make-up Work Policy: - It is the students responsibility to ask the instructor for class assignments missed due to an absence. Students are responsible for all class notes, assignments, etc. for test purposes and should make arrangements to get the work missed if an absence is unavoidable. Please ask for make-up work at a time when it doesnt disrupt instruction time or the learning of other. - If you know of an absence beforehand, please see the teacher for the assignments before leaving so you may keep up with your economics assignments!

- Students may make up work during the advisory period. The tutoring center, Saturday School and Social Studies Tutoring is also available to all students. - Students will be required to hand in assignments that were collected during an absence upon his or her return to class. Assignments given while the student was absent will an alternate due date that will give the student ample time to complete the assignment and not have it considered late. - Students absent on the day of an exam will be assigned an Advisory period date to take the test missed when he/she returns to class. - Tests not taken during the semester will result in the student receiving an Incomplete (I) until the work is completed. Just as all bills must be paid, so too must all mandated district Benchmark Assessments be taken! Attendance and Tardy Policy: - Daily classroom attendance is directly related to a students level of academic success. Students are expected to be in attendance and on time every day. Absences and tardies detract from teaching and learning and may interfere with the students ability to complete required assignments. About your Teacher: - I graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Political Science and a Minor in Justice Studies. - I am currently attending the University of Arizona and I am expecting to receive my MED in May of 2014. - I enjoy serving my community through volunteer work and making donations. I am currently growing my hair out to donate it to the Locks of Love organization. Contact information: - Please feel free to contact me, Mr. Gutierrez, at 602-764-3228 from 7:30 am-7:55 am, you may also reach me through email any time at [email protected].

Dear Parents/Guardians and students, Please sign below to indicate that you have received, read, and understand the course information attached. Please also indicate whether or not your student may access the Internet for Economics research projects. Please return the bottom portion of this paper only. Keep the top portion of this paper for your own records at home should it become necessary for you contact me throughout the semester. Instructor: Mr. Gutierrez (Room 823) Phone: 602-764-3228 Email: [email protected] Thank you for your time, and thank you for your involvement in the education of your student! Sincerely,

Mr. Gutierrez

Student Name:________________________ Student Number:______________ Parent/Guardian Name(s):___________________________________________ I/we have received and read the course information for the Economics course taught by Mr. Gutierrez. I/we understand the criteria involved in passing this course (required for graduation) and will call if there are any questions regarding the class and/or assignments. ____________________________ (Student Signature) _____________ (Date)

____________________________ (Parent Signature)

_____________ (Date)

Yes ____ My son/daughter may use the Internet for Economics assignments. No _____ My son/daughter may NOT use the Internet for economics assignments.