Economics – Fall 2013
Coach Pipes – Room 1007
Planning: 4th
Email: ryanpipes@walkerschools.org
Class website: www.coachpipesecon.wikispaces.com
Economics is a senior level course that is required by the state of Georgia
for graduation. You will be held to the standards of both the state of Georgia and
Ridgeland High School. This course also carries a state mandated EOCT. This
test will account for 20% of your final grade. Since this exam is cumulative, it is
very important that you attend class as much as possible. Lack of attendance
can severely hinder your ability to do well.
Course Format
 Portfolios
o All of your daily work will be done in portfolio format. Each week
you will get a new Progress Chart that lists activities that need to be
completed by the end of the week and included in your Portfolios.
Portfolios will be kept in a 3-ring binder and turned in on a weekly
basis.
o Assignments will be numbered and they need to be kept in order in
your portfolio for grading as well as for easy access in the future.
 Mini-Lecture
o Most days there will be a mini-lecture on the topics being discussed
in class. During this time I will cover notes and give you a rundown
of the information covered in the Standards. If you ever miss a
class period, the mini-lecture will be posted on the class website.
 FOCUS and Arching Questions
o Each week you will be given a list of FOCUS questions that go
along with the material being covered in the mini-lecture and the
portfolio work. These questions need to be answered and turned in
with your portfolio each week.
o FOCUS Questions – Minimum of one paragraph in length (at least
complete sentences)
o Arching Questions – Minimum of two paragraphs in length (at least
10 complete sentences)
 Projects
o Many times throughout the year we will be doing projects. Some
projects will be larger than others. These projects will sometimes be
completed on your own and sometimes in groups.
o Projects fall into the Major Grade category
 Tests
o Our class is separated into five units. Each unit we study will
culminate with a Unit Test. These test are formatted similar to the
EOCT and will gauge your progress throughout the semester
o Tests fall into the Major Grade category
Grading
 1st Nine Weeks – 40%
o Minor Grades – 40%
o Major Grades – 60%
 2nd Nine Weeks – 40%
o Minor Grades – 40%
o Major Grades – 60%
 EOCT – 20%
Materials Needed
 Pencil/Pen (Blue or Black Ink)
 1” Three Ring Binder
 Loose Paper
 Spiral Notebook
 If getting these supplies is an issue please see me
Resources
 Books (these will not be issued, but used in the classroom)
o Textbook: Economics – Principles and Practice
o Passing the Georgia End of Course Test (Orange Book)
o Georgia DOE – EOCT Study Guide
Guidelines for Class
 No Food or Drink in Class (Water Bottles with Lids – OK)
 No Cell Phones! (They will be taken and turned in)
 Come Prepared Everyday
 Give Effort