Welcome to EconomicsMr. BordelonUniversity High School

What is Economics?

• Economics is about choice.• Why do you make the choices you make?• Why do people give to charity?• Why does the government choose to intervene in the

economy? Or not to?• Why do we choose to buy a more expensive product

when another product that is just as good, but maybe generic, is cheaper?

• Why do corporations choose to invest in one product but not another?

What is Economics?

• Economics is about incentives.

• Should I go out with that hot chick I saw at Fiddler’s Green, or should I stay loyal to my girlfriend?

• Should I cooperate with my competition to make a comfortable amount of cash, or should I undercut them to try to make more?

• Should I pay workers a decent hourly wage to make my product, or should I hire child laborers at 25¢ a day?

What is Economics?

• Economics is about satisfaction.

• Why are four or five Oreos good, but four or five hundred are not?

• What is better for societal health:more guns or more butter?

• If $10 million is a lot of money and allows me to buy and have everything I could ever want or need, why would I want $10 billion?

What is Economics?

• Every single actor in the economy—individuals, businesses, governments, terrorists, drug dealers, babysitters, warlords, children, adults—everyone tries to satisfy their own needs and wants by making these choices.

• Economics explains the actions behind the choices.

Grading Policy

• Volusia County’s grading policy district wide is as follows:

• 40%: Formative assessments: homework, quizzes, projects, etc.

• 60%: Summative assessments: tests, 9 weeks’ exams, semester and final exams.

Proficiency

• Volusia County’s policy district-wide for proficiency on tests and examinations is 70% or better.

• If you score a B or C on a test, and want to do better, you are entitled to intervention, which may lead to reassessment or alternative assignments.

• The 2nd reassessment is not easier than the actual test. Don’t blow off the first test, thinking you’ll have more time on the next. Only one per 9 weeks.

• Any reassessment/intervention must be completed prior to next test.

Assignments

• Assignments are due at the beginning of class, and only at the beginning of class.

• Work will not be accepted from students who are late to class without a pass.

• At my discretion, late work can be collected on the day of the test, and only for the material tested.

Late Work and Missed Tests

• Students are responsible for following up with teacher and on website for any missed test/assignments due to absence.

• If you are absent for a test/assignment, you will have as many days as you missed to make it up, but no more than 5 school days. After that, it will go in as a zero in the gradebook.

• For tests, if you just happen to be conveniently absent for the test after prep, then you will take the test on the day of your return.

Note-taking

• Students are highly encouraged to take notes.

• If you choose not to do so, you do it at your own risk. Considering this is likely your first course in Economics, it’s a good bet you don’t know everything.

• Notes will not be permitted on any assessment.

Academic Integrity

• University High School and Volusia County School Board policy will be strictly enforced. Students caught plagiarizing, copying, photographing, providing verbal or non-verbal assistance during an assignment/assessment or any other academic infringement aimed at dishonesty, will receive zero credit for not only the assignment/assessment and an immediate referral, but also zero credit for all previous assignments/assessments during that quarter until a parent-teacher conference can be held so that the student can give an explanation for his/her behavior and the appropriate solution agreed upon between parent and teacher.

Seniors

• This course is required for graduation.

• DO NOT expect to make up 17 weeks of assignments and tests in the 18th week to try and pass the course.

Class Rules

• PROMPT

• PREPARED

• PRODUCTIVE

• POLITE

• POSITIVE

• All University High School and Volusia County Schools policies will be enforced.

Class Rules

• Failure to follow class rules will be met with the following consequences:• 1st Time: Warning

• 2nd Time: Student/Teacher Conference

• 3rd Time: Parental/Guardian Contact

• 4th Time: Detention on Friday Afternoon

• 5th Time: Referral

• Major infractions will result in immediate discipline referral.

Class Procedures

• Cell phones and electronic devices are not to be used in classroom unless otherwise directed. Consider this your global warning. The electronic device will be confiscated, and you will be able to pick up your phone from the Discipline Office at the end of the school day. If this becomes an issue, then this will be treated as a discipline problem.

Class Procedures

• Backpacks and purses: Must be placed at the back of the room, or alternatively, on the shelf by the cabinets.

• Sit only in chairs.

• Please allow myself and others to speak without interruption, especially other students.

Class Procedures

• Drinks GOOD, food BAD. If there is a medical issue involved, come talk to me.

• Papers in the basket: If there are papers in the basket, they are graded and ready to be handed back.

Class Procedures

• All students are expected to give effort. The terms “I don’t know,” “I don’t care,” and “I can’t” are unacceptable in this classroom given its high workload and discussion format.• Trust me.

Office Hours

• Tuesday-Friday: First 30 minutes of lunch.

• If you are unable to somehow come during this time, you can make an appointment with me for after school. I am unavailable before school.

• Second half of lunch is mine.

• wsborde@volusia.k12.fl.us

Supplies

• Binder: keep notes and assignments, 1” to 1 ½”• Notebook paper: used to take notes and do written assignments• Pens or pencils: blue or black ink only, I will give a zero if it’s in

any other color.• Sorry, I find it hard to believe that you couldn’t find a blue

or black ink pen, given that 80% of the pens in the world are in this color.• Stop it.

• Highlighters

• There is no specific requirement of materials in my classroom. Rather, you’re adults at this point, and have a good idea of how you learn. I will not enforce some artificial organization for you. It’s time you choose how best to organize yourself and your learning.

Blended Curriculum

• This course is using blended curriculum, a mixture of online and in-class instruction. You will be expected to complete assignments online and in-class as we go along.

• You’ll also have access to laptops for in-class work, especially financial literacy.

• Any device offered is expected to be treated daintily.

• This course will count as an online learning credit for graduation.

• If computer access is an issue, come see me.