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ECONOMICS SYLLABUS

Instructor: Mr. Luis Gonzalez

Class Location: Room 322
Conference Period: 1stth period – 8:25 – 10:00am
Textbook: Economics – McGraw-Hill

Course Description:
This economics course will focus on major economic concepts and theories of the U.S. and various
countries around the world. A significant focus is placed on the problem of scarcity and supply and
demand. The course requires note taking, interpretation of graphs, tables, maps, editorial cartoons,
research, oral presentations, the use of primary/secondary materials, and the use of technology
(computers and internet). The students will work cooperatively, role-play, and complete simulations
in an effort to learn the importance of teamwork; plus complete projects that enable them to work
independently.

ECONOMICS TIMELINE

Unit #1: Fundamental Economic Concepts (12 days)

 Introduction to Economics
 Introduction to the Budget Project
 Chapter 1 What is Economics
 Chapter 2 Economic Systems and Decision Making
 Chapter 3 Business Organizations and Economic Institutions

Unit #2: Supply and Demand (12 days)

 Chapter 4 Demand
 Chapter 5 Supply
 Chapter 6 Prices and Decision Making
 Budget Project

Unit #3: Financial Institutions (12 days)

 Chapter 8 Employment, Labor, and Wages
 Chapter 11 Money and Banking
 Chapter 12 the FED and Monetary Policy
 Budget Project

Unit # 4: Business Cycles and Fluctuations (3 days)

 Chapter 14 Economic Instability
 Budget Project

Unit # 5: Economic Systems (3 days)

 Chapter 18 Comparative Economic Systems
 Budget Project

REVIEW (1 day) AND FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (1 day)

 Project # 1 Students will have to maintain a budget based on a minimum wage salary. Your
project must include a cover page, budget sheet, furniture, appliances, checking account,
savings, housing, transportation, food / groceries, miscellaneous, clothing, and a reflective
paper. (this project equals two test grades)
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
Project # 2 Students will collect four current events related to economics and four economic
cartoons. You must write an analysis of at least six (6) sentences for each current event and
cartoon.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Teacher expectations are high in this class.

1) Reading is required in this class. There is no substitution for reading!
A student must read in order to be prepared for class and all forms of assessment. Students will be
required to do supplemental reading on their own. Supplemental reading will elaborate the
information found in their textbook. Supplemental reading will be of a higher reading level than the
text.

TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:

1. Economics, Glencoe, McGraw Hill (you may request a book to be used at home from the
administration)
2. 3 subject - notebook paper
3. BLUE or BLACK pen or pencil only (fluorescent gel pens)
4. A scientific folder
5. A calculator
6. Scissors, glue, tap
7. printing paper 1 Pack
8. Pencil Sharpener
9. Highlighters

NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION- A MUST

Notebook Requirement (organized chronologically) (A MUST IN ORDER TO PASS THIS

CLASS)

A. Your notebook will be picked at the end of the course and graded as a TEST GRADE
B. Your notebook must follow the order in which it is constructed
C. The notebook will be graded on thoroughness, quality, organization, and visual appeal.

1. Title Page (5pts)

2. Syllabus and Class Rules (5 pts.)
3. Objectives (25 pts.)
4. Notes (25 pts.)
5. Vocabulary (20 pts.)
6. Daily Work / Homework / Quizzes (10 pts.)
7. Tests and Projects (10 pts.)

STANDARD FOR WRITTEN WORK:

1) Use 8 ½ x 11’’ ruled WHITE paper.

2) Handwriting should be neat and legible (preferably print).
3) All writing should be in BLUE or BLACK ink.
4) Essay, reports, and projects must observe the appropriate instructions and deadlines. Must be
typed
5) No plagiarism/copying

* Student must consult teacher after class or before class, if absent or confused about any assignment

RETESTING REQUIREMENTS:

1) The highest grade a student can make in a retest shall be a 70.

2) Students must meet at least three of the following before retesting:
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Shall attend class prior to retesting,

Shall participate actively in class,
Shall complete remedial homework assignment on time,
Shall attend tutoring with subject area teacher before retesting,
Shall complete any assigned remediation before retesting

DAILY WORK:

1) Class time will be used for note taking, lectures and discussions, and various individual and
group assignments. A lot of material is covered during each class period, so students must use
their time wisely. There will be class homework assignments most nights. I expect all students to
turn in their work on time. When a student misses a class, he or she will be expected to have the
homework that was due that period, the very next time they come to class.
2) All work is to be turned in on the due date! NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

3) All missed work due to an absence is the responsibility of the student, not the teacher. The
teacher will not look for you and give you your missed assignment! You are responsible for
getting the notes from your peers or the teacher. If you miss one day then you have one day to
turn in your missed work, but only if your absence is excused.

EXAMS

1. There will be an exam after each unit.

2. Each exam will consist of at least 25% short answer/essay questions and the rest will be
objective (matching and multiple choices). Study your notes and vocabulary words.
3. Each nine weeks the students will be assigned independent projects that require their own out-
of-class research.
4. Projects will have the value of two exams for the Budget Project and one exam total for the
Current Events.
5. Notebook will count as a Test grade.
6. A final comprehensive examination will be administered at the end of the nine weeks.

GRADING PROCEDURE

50% Tests- Includes Chapter Tests, Notebook Test and one project (worth 2 tests grades) and a
second project (worth 1 test grade).

50% Daily Work- Includes section reviews, note taking, class discussions, skits, drawings, cartoon
interpretations, budgets, handouts, and games.

DISTRICST GRADING POLICY:

1) Major grades—tests, notebook, and projects 50%

2) Daily work—quizzes and homework assignments 50%
3) Semester grade (Daily Work + Tests/Projects/Notebook) 80%
4) Semester exam 20%
RESTROOM PASSES:
1) There are no restroom passes
2) Students are not permitted to leave the classroom fifteen minutes into the period or fifteen
minutes before the next class bell rings.

ABSENCES AND TARDINESS:

1) Daily attendance is very important because a lot of material is covered during each ninety minute
class. Students will get behind rapidly if they miss school, and will be unsuccessful on exams and
projects:
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1)Students will follow LFCISD policy on tardiness,

a) Attendance is important to get full credit in this class,
b) Attendance/Tardy Referrals will be given to the student as needed.

PROGRESS REPORTS:

Progress reports will be issued out every three weeks to all students regardless of grades.

DISCIPLINE IN THIS CLASS:

Students are considered to be mature and responsible with their work. Therefore, any silliness,
talking out of turn or inappropriately, or behavior unbecoming of a mature high school student
will not be tolerated.

Students and parents need to realize at the beginning that there is nightly work to be done in order to
achieve the high grades he/she has been used to earning prior to high school.

Important things to know and rules to follow:

 You are to be on time (seated) and prepared to learn every day, no standing in the hall or
by the door.

 You are required to have a book, notebook and pen at every class session.

 You must remain seated throughout the period, the teacher will dismiss you at the end of
class.

 Listen, take notes, read and be part of class discussion, but talking without permission will be
considered a class disruption and will be dealt with accordingly. You must raise your hand
and wait your turn to make a comment or ask a question.

 You are not to eat, chew, drink, or sell anything once the bell rings.

 If at any time a student doesn’t understand or needs help. ASK THE TEACHER!!

 Always raise your hand to ask a question or make a comment.

 Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom during lecture or fifteen minutes into
the period or fifteen minutes before the end of the period.

 Teacher will dismiss the class not the bell, REMAIN SEATED until then.

 Follow the school rules, ground rules, and dress code. (Refer to student handbook)

 As you are of high school age, I expect you to be courteous, tolerant, and honest.

This is your class! Make the best of it and have an enjoyable school year

X X
Parent Student
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