CLASS POLICIES – Economics
2014-2015
MR. HAUBNER
This course is designed around California State Guidelines and other relevant life skill issues. My goal is to provide every student with basic economic literacy and create opportunities for students to relate Economics to their own lives as well as pass this class. Furthermore, if you are in this class, you are expected to produce every day.
This course is an absolute requirement for graduation in the state of California. Therefore, students are expected to arrange their priorities in order to devote an appropriate amount of time and energy to prepare for the class. In other words, do not put outside activities, such as jobs or sports, first. Further, there will be no curving of grades, no awarding of courtesy Ds and no last minute deals cut to pass failing students. I do not expect each student to become an Economics major in your future academic pursuits, rather, I expect you to meet the minimum level of proficiency needed to pass.
The following rules and procedures will be observed for the duration of the 19-week semester.
ATTENDANCE:
There is a very strong correlation between high levels of attendance and higher grades. However, the relationship between grades and attendance is not exactly direct. If one simply attends class, they will not necessarily achieve a higher grade. However, good attendance is a prerequisite for better grades. It is not likely that a student pass this class by simply obtaining the make up work. One of the most important keys to success in Econ is showing up as much as possible and doing your homework on time.
MAKE UP WORK
State and district statutes require that students who are legally absent be given the opportunity to make up missed assignments, quizzes, and tests. But, making up assignments is no substitute for being in class, and it is highly probable that students who miss class will score poorly even though they have turned in the make up work. Students are responsible for contacting the teacher (e-mail: ) or another student (via the telephone) to get the next day’s assignment. Furthermore, if a student shows up the next day of class after an absence, they will be given a window of 1-5 school days in order to turn in the make up assignment(s) (depending on the length of the absence).
TESTS
To encourage good attendance, we will have frequent quizzes (sometimes two in one period). Quizzes and tests will account for a large portion of your final grade (roughly 70-75). Also, there will be 3-4 large tests that will determine that share of your grade along with a cumulative final. Quizzes will be based upon readings from the previous night. Each quiz will be worth 10 points and will generally have 10 questions the will be directed toward important information from the reading in the book. Finally, students will be expected to correct incorrect information on tests the day after taking a test. These “test corrections” are worth points and give students one last chance (after the test) to build a better understanding of the material as well as improve their grade.
PROJECTS
There will be two large projects (budgeting project and macroecon project) and one small project that will make up 15-20% your grade. Also, the Stock Market Game will be played in this semester. Thewinning teamin each classwill get an Aon the final (100%). Thus, there are opportunities other than testing to improve your grade, but testing is the primary form of evaluation. The Stock Market Game will require a $7.50 fee to play. Please be sure to write the check to FHS, and write your name in the subject line. I will then deposit this check into an Econ account and the Econ account will pay the game administrator. This check will be collected tomorrow.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The community service project will be dealt with in your government class. So, you may start some form of community service, but I would ask Mr. Clark for approval before starting on the work itself, just to ensure that you are going in the right direction.
MAKE UP QUIZZES AND TESTS
Some students have developed a pattern of routinely missing class on certain days; typically test days and Fridays, especially the Friday before a holiday, break or three-day weekend. In addition, the incidence of cheating has become rather serious. To combat these unfortunate situations, absent students must approach me for make-ups as soon as they return from their absence so they can make up the missed quizzes or tests. Missed quizzes and test will be scored as “0” until the assignment is made up and entered into Zangle.
BEHAVIOR
Certain types of behavior are disruptive and unacceptable at any time in the classroom. These types of behavior include: racial, ethnic or sexual slurs, and profanity. NOTE: Changes in federal or state law
mean the sexual kidding you may have thought was harmless fun in the past, is now a state and/or federal crime. Make no mistake, I will respond to the above behavior by removing you from class and seeking permanent removal from class. It is fully within your capability to comply with my standards with respect to behavior. Also, there will be three “standing rules” that will be covered briefly.
TARDINESS
Punctuality is required. It is not optional, and there are no excuses. A tardy will be given to each student who has not crossed the threshold of the door at the beginning of class. Furthermore, students will not be allowed to leave class to use the restrooms during the period unless a medical condition is identified with a doctor’s note. Students should be sure to use the restrooms before and after the class period. However, students will be given two bathroom passes for the semester. Use them wisely. The following policy will be enforced:
FIRST TARDY: Verbal Warning
SECOND TARDY: 5 grade points will be subtracted
THIRD TARDY: 5 grade points will be subtracted
FOURTH TARDY: 5 points will be subtracted.
CUTTING
Cutting is also an unfortunate practice undertaken by some students. In order to encourage students not to cut, each student will earn the following. If you do not miss class, cutting will not be a problem. The fastest way to fail is to be tardy, cut and not do homework.
First Cut: loss of 10 points
Second Cut: loss of 20 points
Third Cut: loss of 40 points
MATERIALS
Students must come to class with a working pen and paper and workbook EVERY DAY. Taking organized notes are important for student success. There will be a particular note taking process that I will demonstrate that will be worth points. Also, I will give/solve word problems that will be worth points as well. Clearly, there will be a great deal of in-class work that will be done, and strong attendance is a prerequisite to success. In summation, be in class every day, come prepared, and be ready to work.
GRADING
At the end of each grading period, students will have earned a grade based on approximate number of quiz, assignment and test points. THIS CLASS IS NOT GRADED ON A CURVE. An A is 90% or better, a B is 89 to 80%, a C is 79% to 70%, a D is 69% to 60% and finally an F is 59.49% and less. Once again, there are no courtesy D grades for students with nice personalities who fail tests. Extra credit will not be offered. Also, I do offer online grading, however, the Zangle program will require a certain learning curve, but I assure you I will make every effort to become accustomed to its many uses. Thus, I will be posting grades on Zangle to the best of my ability.
MISCELLANEOUS
1.Hats and sunglasses may not be worn in class at any time.
2.Damaged or lost books must be paid for in order to earn credit for the class.
3.Food and beverages must not be consumed in class. Do not walk into class with either food or drink. Third period is a clear exception to that rule.
4.You may not use personal toys in class. Cell phones will be left in “the grid” and i-pods, i-pads and i-touches should be left in your bag. Also, please be sure to turn off or silence your cell phone before you come in class.
5.Cheating on a test, quiz, or assignment will result in a “0” on that test quiz or assignment. A memo will be sent to your counselor or administrator, possibly disqualifying you from a scholarship or other recognition. I have written and will write a negative letter about a student to the college of their choice if I catch anyone cheating.
6.Dress must be appropriate for the school setting. Shoes must be worn at all times. The PUSD behavior code will be in effect. Further, it will be considered inappropriate to wear clothing of a revealing nature. Also, it will be considered inappropriate to wear clothing that contains drug alcohol, tobacco or sexual material. Do not be surprised when I address such issues; even something as seemingly trivial as “class shirts that seem inappropriate”.
7.School is in session from 8:01-2:47. The main office is open from 7:30-3:30, and the school phone number is 461-6600. My extension is 5820 from the main line, and my e-mail address is . E-mail is the best way to reach me.
8. Class is dismissed by the teacher; not by the clock or your watch.
CURRICULUM
This class will cover information from Basic Economics to Personal Finance. The class will be divided into four units, and each unit will have one test and several quizzes, which will be based on the reading of the previous night. At the outset of class, students will be given the opportunity to read over notes or ask questions about the material to better prepare for the quiz. Students will not be able to read over the book before a quiz. Again, please understand that quizzes and tests will compose a large share of your grade. There will be no easy points in this class. Therefore, each student will need to come to class “test ready” every single day. Lastly, there will be a cumulative final.
1.I have read and understand the terms of the policies.
2.I understand that there is a very strong correlation between high levels of attendance and higher grades.
3.I understand that anything less than 59.49% will result in an F as a grade.
______
Parent Signature DATEName Printed
e-mail address: ______
1. I have read and understand the terms of the class policies.
2. I understand that there is a very strong correlation between higher levels of attendance and higher grades.
- I understand that anything less than 59.49% will result in an F as a grade.
______
Student Signature DATEName Printed