Consumer Education s1

CONSUMER EDUCATION Syllabus – Spring 2008

Instructor Contact Information Adam Koester, Business Office, Room A119 Office Hours: 12:12pm-1:06pm, before or after school, or by appointment Email: [email protected] School phone: 656-7100 x20119 (Business Office) or 656-8800 x5816 (voicemail)

Course Description This course is required for graduation and provides practical, usable knowledge from which the students can benefit as they move into the rigors and demands of independent adult living. Students will examine and research major buying decisions such as auto, housing, furniture, etc. Consumer Education provides training in insurance buying, credit buying, banking activities, investments, budgeting, and decision-making.

Topics to Be Covered Unit 6 Spending Essentials (Subject to change as opportunities warrant) Chapter 12 Transportation-How Will You Get There? Chapter 13 Housing-A Place to Call Home Unit 1 The Basics Project Auto Purchase/Lease Chapter 1 Consumers-The Engine that Fuels the Economy Unit 7 Risk Management Chapter 3 Consumer Protection-Rights, Responsibilities, Chapter 14 Automobile and Home Insurance- Resolution Sharing the Risk Project Letter of Complaint or Commendation Chapter 15 Health and Life Insurance-Your Personal Security Unit 2 Investing Money Project Insurance Shopping Chapter 9 Investing-Prepare for Your Future Chapter 8 Saving-Plan for Financial Security Unit 8 Spending Judiciously Project Stock Research/Purchase Form Chapter 11 Budget Essentials - Food, Clothes, and Fun Unit 3 Monetary Mindset Chapter 6 Budgeting-How Will You Use Your Chapter 17 Global Economy-What It Means to You Money? Chapter 4 Choose a Career-Get a Job Chapter 2 Buying Technology Products- Let’s Talk Chapter 5 Income Taxes-How Much Will You Keep? Tech Project Resume and Cover Letter Generation Chapter 16 Choose Services When You Need Help Project Complete IRS Form 1040 EZ Project Personal Budget

Unit 4 Protecting Your Money Computer Chapter 7 Banking Services-Where to Stash Your Cash & Simulation On Your Own in Middleton The Federal Reserve Chapter 10 Credit-You’re in Charge Special Course Project Checkbook Maintenance Project Life Cycle Plan Grades Grading Scale: Course Grades: 90 – 100 A Unit Tests/Chapter Quizzes 45% 80 – 89 B Unit Projects 25% 70 – 79 C Assignments 30% 60 – 69 D 0 – 59 F

Class attendance and participation are a factor in every aspect of your grade.

The comprehensive semester final will be 20% of your overall semester grade.

Class Supplies Students must have a two-pocket folder for handouts, a notebook for assignments and notes, and a pen or pencil in class each day. Textbooks will be needed every day; therefore students should have them with them when they come to class. Students are responsible for lost or damaged books. The replacement cost for lost or damaged books is $50.00. Treat your text with care!

Student Handbook Clarification All student rules as listed in the Student Handbook apply in this class. The list of clarifications for this class are as follows.

Make up work for days missed due to unexcused absences will be accepted for 50% credit (Student Handbook 5.04). Grades may be changed to reflect excused/unexcused absence as information is available to the instructor.

Make up work done for days missed due to truancy will be accepted for 50% credit, except for fifth and subsequent truancies, for which no credit will be given. However, it is in the student’s best interest to complete makeup work even though no credit will be granted (Student Handbook 5.06). Grades may be changed to reflect truancy as information is available to the instructor.

Because a tardy that is in excess of five minutes is treated as an unexcused absence, partial credit for that day’s assignments will be given in accordance with procedures for unexcused absences (Student Handbook 5.07). Grades may be changed to reflect excused/unexcused absence as information is available to the instructor.

There will be in-class assignments in this course. If you are present and do not have your book that day you may turn in your assignment late the next day for 50% credit. You will not be permitted to use someone else’s book while they are using it.

Not all people are in agreement as to what words are considered profanity. The classroom teacher shall determine what is and is not acceptable in the classroom. If you are in doubt about the use of a word or phrase, chances are it is inappropriate (Student Handbook 6.01).

Make up work for days missed due to the first two suspensions will be accepted for 50% credit. For subsequent suspensions, no credit will be given. However, it is in the student’s best interest to complete makeup work even though no credit will be granted (Student Handbook 6.02). Grades may be changed to reflect suspensions as information is available to the instructor.

As with any absence, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and what you need to do to make up any missed material. Not being magically told when you walk into class is no excuse.

Other rules from the student handbook The calculator feature of cellular telephones is not an acceptable calculator. School rules prohibit the use of cellular telephones during the school day; use as a calculator is also prohibited (Student Handbook 6.01).

Not all people are in agreement as to what words are considered profanity. The classroom teacher shall determine what is and is not acceptable in the classroom. If you are in doubt about the use of a word or phrase, chances are it is inappropriate (Student Handbook 6.01).

Classroom expectations We are here to learn, from the beginning of class until the end of class. Tardiness will be recorded and disciplinary action will be applied according to the Student Handbook. Written passes will be required for late admission into class. Therefore, you are expected to be in your seat and ready to learn when class is scheduled to begin, and you are expected to continue learning until the teacher dismisses you. Do NOT leave your seat until dismissed.

In Consumer Education, many of our learning activities involve moving around the room, talking with classmates, and using varied materials for exploring topics of study. For this type of learning to be successful, your cooperation and participation are required. I guarantee that if you work respectfully with your classmates and me, you will be satisfied with the outcome of your experience in this class.

Due dates Due dates are not flexible-when something is due. If you are going to be absent, turn in work on or before that date. If a due date is flexible, I will let you know when the assignment is made. Please do not ask for exceptions unless you have encountered a real, unavoidable, and verifiable emergency situation. (You will learn a lot about deadlines, due dates, and the real world in this class.) Additionally, no additional time will be given for your printer’s sudden inability to function.

Computer use Students MAY NOT use the computers in this classroom for anything other than work for this course. Under normal conditions, computer use is prohibited and may not be turned on without expressed permission of the instructor.

When the computers are allowed on for instructional purposes, there are some additional guidelines that must be followed. Use of personal email at school is prohibited per school rules. Along similar lines, blogging (i.e. Myspace, xanga, etc) and IM (any form of Instant Messaging) is not permitted under any circumstances at any time. Failure to comply will result in a non-negotiable zero on the assignment and potential disciplinary action.

Food/drink in the computer lab is prohibited at all times. If any is found, it will be thrown away. No exceptions (including water) will be made.

EHS has the ability to open the following file extensions for word processing: doc, docx, txt. If you do homework that you need to refer to in class please make sure you save it as one of these formats or you will be unable to open it. No additional time will be given because you failed to comply with this restriction.

Guest speakers Respectful behavior is expected when anyone speaks to the class. This includes classmates, the instructor or substitute teacher, and guest speakers. Do not lay your head down. Do not converse with other students while someone is addressing the class. Give your attention to the speaker. Raise your hand to ask questions or to make observations. Academic dishonesty While it can be tempting to take someone else’s work and call it your own, this practice should be avoided at all costs. The first occurrence of academic dishonesty in my class results in a non-negotiable zero on the assignment, and in the case of any assignment worth 20 points or more, involves a discipline referral and a call to parents. Any subsequent instances of academic dishonesty, regardless of point value of the assignment, will result in a non-negotiable zero, discipline referral, and call to parents.

Giving answers to another student is treated in the same manner as taking answers from another student.

Need for Assistance If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability, for which you need extra assistance, please see me immediately. If you have already met with Special Services, please provide me with information regarding your special needs as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be made.