__ Syllabus: General US Economics Spring Semester 2012

Teacher: Mr. Lawrence K. Smith Room: 107 Contact Info: HS office phone: 512.462.5461 Email: larry.smith@tsd.state.tx.us Text: Economics, Today and Tomorrow, Glencoe American Economics, Pacemaker Course Description: The course is also designed to provide an essential understanding of Americas economic system. It includes the fundamental concepts of free enterprise, motive, competition, fiscal policies and the role of government in regard to economic matters. Current economics topics, problems and potential solutions will be covered as well. In additional, the personal finance literacy education weaves into the significant component concepts of consumer science existing coursework to implement individuals decision-making skills to maximize into responsible and productive citizen of a global workforce and society. There is a proper sequence for accomplishing weekly activities and assignments, which will promote consistency and familiarity with the course layout. There are 6 Units that we will cover: *Second semester topics: Intro to Economics & Economic Systems and Decision Making (Ch. 1 & 2 & 3) Business Organizations (Ch. 8) Demand & Supply (Ch. 7) Personal Financial Literacy (Ch. 4 & 5 & 6 &12 &16) Prices and Decision Making & Market Structures (Ch. 6 & 7) Money and Banking & Financial Markets (Ch. 13 &14) Economic Performance & Economic Stability (Ch.14) The Fed and Monetary Policy (Ch. 15) Note: This is a tentative outline that will fluctuate to accommodate project research, presentations, and various school activities. Rules and Expectations You are expected to follow all school ruleseven if you disagree with them. Think of it as preparation for the real worldrarely will you agree with all the rules at your job or in the US. At the Beginning of Class: Arrive ON TIME. On time means INSIDE the classroom when the last light flashes. Tardy students will receive consequences as described in the attached tardy policy. . Bring your materials and have them ready on your desk (pen/pencil, paper, book, etc.) at the beginning of class. Turn in your homework. Responsibilities During Class: Pay attention and participate. Ask questions if you do not understand. Be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Show respect to others and property. Ask permission to leave the classroom for any reason. Block: 1,3, Block 5,6,8

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Ask permission to use the computer or touch the teachers desk. Keep conversations ON-TOPIC (please socialize outside of class time). No food or drink without permissionask first! LEARN!! HAVE FUN!! Responsibilities at the End of Class: Wait to be dismissed. Clean up your area. Return classroom materials (if used). Make sure you have copied down your homework assignment. What to do In-Between Classesnot DURING Class: Use the restroom. Get water. Visit your locker and get your materials. If you have time, socialize with others in or near your next class.

15/15 Rule: During the first 15 minutes and last 15 minutes of class, no one is allowed to leave class. Period. CONSEQUENCES The CONSEQUENCE for having a great attitude, finishing homework, bringing materials, trying your best, following the rules, exceeding expectations, smiling, arriving to class on time, following directions, accepting consequences, and being happy is a fantastic, fun-filled, good-grade, tons-of-learning year!! The CONSEQUENCE for being late to class is a tardy marked on the tardy report (collected daily). For each minute (or part thereof) your are tardy, you will be meeting with the teacher to discuss about your tardy accordily to TSD TARDY POLICY. The CONSEQUENCE for not being prepared for class (no materials, incomplete homework, laptop, etc.) is the loss of your learning times without materials and theres possible times to come to after school to review your responsibilities. However, if you borrow materials from your peers (instead of asking me). The CONSEQUENCE for not turning in homework assignments including major projects & some extended writing assignments, when they are due is a 10 points penalty each day the work is late. Students may come after school that day and complete the assignment for half credit. If the teacher is unable to stay after school, students need to attend HWC and turn in the work the next day, again for half credit. The CONSEQUENCE for losing or damaging your assigned textbook (or other materials) will be paying for a to replacement book. These books are new and expensiveplease take care of them!

Other Policies: GRADES Your grades will be based on the following percentages: Six Weeks Homework/Classworks =30% Tests/Quizzes = 45% Projects = 25%

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Example: How to calculate your 6 weeks grade: Homework/Classwork average: 85% . 85 x .30 = .255 Test average: 80% .8 x .45 = .36 Project average: 90% .9 x .25 = .225 Total 6 weeks grade: .255 + .36 + .225 = .840 = 84% Homework Assignment Books will be given to each student. You are expected to USE this everyday to record your assignments, important test dates, after-school activitiesand anything else that is important to you. You should bring it to class every day. Assignments All assignments are expected to be neat and legible. Any assignments that are crumpled up, dirty or illegible (I cannot read the writing) will be returned and will need to be redone. All assignments written in blue or black ink, or pencil. Pages ripped from a spiral notebook are NOT acceptable. Cut off the ragged edges. All assignments should be written using COMPLETE sentences, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. All homework and classwork assignments need to have a proper header (see below). Assignments without headers will have 2 points subtracted. Header: John Doe 19 August 2010 COPYING /CHEATING/PLAGIARIZING If two or more people turn in homework that has been COPIED from each other, both will receive a ZERO (0%) on that assignment. You MAY work together in a group on some assignments, but the answers must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS and all students must turn in their own paper. If I catch you CHEATING during a test, your grade will automatically be a zero (0%) and a discipline report will be filled out. PLAGIARIZING is copying someone elses work and saying it is yours. It is the same thing as lying or stealing. It is also illegal. PLAGIARIZING INCLUDES CUTTING-AND-PASTING INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE INTERNET (or other electronic sources). Students caught plagiarizing will receive a ZERO (0%) for the assignment and a discipline report will be filled out. ABSENCES a. If you are absent, you are responsible for getting the assignments you missed from me. b. You will have 1 day to turn in the work AND/OR make up a test that was assigned on the day you missed, unless I say otherwise. c. Any work that was due the day that you were absent must be turned in the day you return. d. If you are present for PART of a school day but miss my class for some reason (sports, go home sick, show up late, etc.), you are still responsible to turning in any work that is due that day, even if you do not attend the class. Mr. Larry Smith Block. 1

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CONTACT ME Remember: COMMUNICATE! I am here every day after school until at least 4:00. Let me know if you need helpdrop in, or set up an appointment. My email at is larry.smith@tsd.state.tx.us, please feel free to email me any time with questions, problems, or just to say hi. Thanks! I am looking forward to a FANTASTIC year!

Please sign below stating that you have read the parent letter, class syllabus, and materials list. Please return this page to Mr. Lawrence K. Smith by Monday September 5-6, 2011. Thank you. Parent: I have read the parent letter, class syllabus and materials list. I agree to help my student succeed in school. I agree to provide my student with the required materials as soon as possible. I will contact the teacher, Mr. Lawrence K. Smith, if I have any comments or questions. _____________________ Printed name _________________________ Signature _______________________ Date

Student: I have read the class syllabus and materials list. I agree to follow the syllabus and the classroom expectations to the best of my abilities. I agree to bring my materials to class everyday. I will talk with the teacher, Mr. Lawrence K. Smith, if I have any comments or questions. _____________________ Printed name _________________________ Signature _______________________ Date

**Students who return this signed form by Monday, January 16, 2012 for A Block classes or Tuesday for B Block classes may receive 5 extra credit points!