Anderson County Career and Technical Center
Personal Finance Syllabus
140 Maverick Circle
Clinton, TN 37716
Instructor: Shannon Smith
Phone: 865-463-7006
Classroom: 213
Website: www.acctc.acs.ac
Course Description:
Personal Finance is a course designed to inform students how individual choices directly influence occupational
goals and future earnings potential. Real world topics will include income, money management, spending and
credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets; simulate use of
checking and saving accounts; demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management; and evaluate
and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making
informed personal financial decisions.
Text/Materials:
Workbook: Foundations in Personal Finance: Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace School
Curriculum
Teaching Methods:
1. Simulations: A real-life online simulation called Virtual Business will be utilized in class. This “sim”
involves the student in applying for jobs, choosing a place to live, paying bills, budgeting, and
maintaining a healthy lifestyle to survive . Discussion is encouraged as is student-procured outside
material relevant to topics being covered.
2. Lab Assignments: End of chapter activities and online activities will be assigned weekly to reinforce
material in the text. These assignments may require the application of various software packages and
will be completed during class. (Personal Finance Simulation)
3. Quizzes: Occasional unannounced quizzes will be given to help ensure students understand assigned
material.
4. Exams: The exams will cover readings and material discussed in class. Review and practice tests will be
provided prior to the exam day. The Safety Test must be passed with a 100% to utilize any lab
equipment.
5. Participation: Student participation will be graded by the level of class participation as well as team
collaboration. All students are expected to adhere to professional office environment conduct.
Grading:
A daily assignment grade will be recorded for labs, activities and participation each day.
Grading Scale
93 % to 100% = A
85 % to 92 % = B
75 % to 84 % = C
70 % to 74 % = D
UNDER 69 % = F
Course Policies:
Missed Classes: The student is responsible for obtaining material distributed on class days when he/she was absent. This can be done
through contacting a classmate, Skyward, or by contacting the instructor. Students have 3 days to make-up any work missed before it
is counted as a zero.
Assignments: All assignments are due at the end of class on the date due. Deadlines are important and must be met when discussed.
Any assignments not finished on-time will be a zero.
Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam, paper or project; failure
in course; and or expulsion activities. For more information refer to the "Anderson County Code of Conduct". For this class, it is
permissible to assist classmates in general discussions of computing techniques. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each
person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned projects, assignments, and tasks. In other words, students may
not "work together" on graded assignments.
Internet Use: Is ONLY allowed when given by teacher directive, or when student has finished with assigned work for the day. Any
sites visited that are unauthorized or inappropriate will be grounds for severe consequences.
Course Outline
Assignment Descriptions:
Week
1
Rules, forms, safety
Orientation
Assignment
Safety Test
Financial Pre-test
PF Standard
2
Savings- Chapter 1
Chapter Videos Part 1-4
Live from Financial Peace Plaza
Finance Simulation
1,2,4,4.1
3
Investment Options- Chapter 2
Chapter Videos Part 1-4
Investment Scavenger Hunt
Finance Simulation
4.3,4.4,4.5
4
Chapter 1 Test
Investment Options- Chapter 2
Chapter Videos Part 5-6
Name that Investment
Finance Simulation
4.3,4.4,4.5
Chapter Videos Part 1-5
Roth IRA and 401 (k)
Finance Simulation
4,4.3,4.4
Part 1 Video
Research Activity
Finance Simulation
3,3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
Part 2-6 Videos
Making the Minimum
Finance Simulation
3,3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
Part 7-8 Videos
The Debt Snowball/Persuasive
Writing
Finance Simulation
3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
Part 1-5 Videos
Opportunity Cost
Finance Simulation
3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
Part 1-3 Videos
Reading a Credit Report
Finance Simulation
3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
Part 4-6 Videos
Fraud and Scams
Part 1 Video- Chapter 7
3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
5
Wealth Building and College Savings
Chapter 3
7
Chapter 2 Test
Wealth Building Continued
Chapter 3/ Chapter 4
Dangers of Debt
Chapter 3 Test
Dangers of Debt- Chapter 4
8
Dangers of Debt Continued
9
Chapter 4 Test
Consumer Awareness- Chapter 5
6
10
Credit Bureaus and Collection
Practices- Chapter 6
Chapter 5 Test
11
Credit Bureaus and Collection
Practices Continued
Chapter 6 Test
12
Budgeting 101- Chapter 7
13
Leadership
Bargain Shopping- Chapter 8
14
Chapter 7 Test
Bargain Shopping Continued
Part 2-6 Videos
How to Write a Check
Finance Simulation
2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4,2.5,5
Part 1-4 Videos
Computing Discounts
3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4
Part 5 Video
Buying your First Car
3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5
Part 4-5 Videos/Career Choices
and Employment Taxes Videos
Part 1-2
1,1.1,1.2,1.3
Part 3-4 Videos
Form w-4
Part 1 Video Chapter 11
1,1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4,1.5,4.5
Part 2-6 Videos Chapter 11
Part 1-5 Videos Chapter 12
1.5,2.1,2.3,2.4,2.5,3.1,4.3,5
Chapter 8 Test
15
Relating with Money- Chapter 9
Chapter 9 Test
16
17
18
Career Choices and Employment
Taxes- Chapter 10
Chapter 10 Test
Ins and Outs of Insurance and Real
Estate Mortgages
Review
Final Exam
CLASSROOM RULES
To ensure all students have an adequate environment in which to learn, it’s extremely important that the following
classroom rules be followed. If any of these rules are not adhered to, students will face loss of privileges or disciplinary
action. Negative consequences will be discussed during orientation.
1. Students will not be allowed to eat or drink in class. BRAND NEW LAB EQUIPMENT INSTALLED.
2.
Students are to use their personally assigned log-in name and password only.
3.
Students are expected to keep workstations clean and organized, i.e. no writing on desks or books; all scrap paper in
the recycle box; backpacks under desk.
4.
Chairs should be pushed completely under the workstation upon leaving class.
5. Students are expected to report, and may do so anonymously, any suspicious activity by other
students to the teacher, i.e. equipment vandalism, writing on desks or in books, illegal copying, etc.
6.
There is to be no running, inappropriate or careless behavior in lab.
7. Students are not to access unauthorized computer environment areas, to include non-school email accounts, instant
messenger, or any sites that have been deemed “blocked” by server. Any internet sites visited deemed inappropriate in
nature will be grounds for severe consequences.
“I have read, understood, and will comply with the expectations listed above”
Parent/Guardian Signature ________________________________ Date _____________________________
Student Signature _____________________________________Date ______________________________