Introductory Packet
Economics
Mr. Klein
Room 523
Free periods: 4,9
cklein@wboro.org
Phone: 266-3200 x6523
Welcome
It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to teach you. I am looking forward to
working with you and helping you achieve success. We all have goals to reach
and by respecting one another and working together, we will reach our goals. I
will give you many opportunities to succeed. All you need is the willingness to
work and the right attitude.
This packet is for your reference. It contains general information that you
need to know for this class. It also serves as a contract between us. Read it
thoroughly and keep it in your binder. You may want to refer back to it on
occasion. Changes may be made throughout the school year when needed. You
will be made aware of these changes in advance.
I am always available for questions and concerns. I have listed my free periods
and my e-mail on the front of this packet. Students may stop by or make
appointments when they have free time. Students may also e-mail me. Parents
are encouraged to contact me with any questions or concerns as well. My phone
number and e-mail are listed on the cover for your convenience. You can also
find general information and reminders on my school website.
I hope that you are all excited to begin the year and continue your academic
success!!
Classroom Rules
You are now seniors and adults in the eyes of many. With that comes a certain
amount of responsibility and multiple expectations. It is an exciting time for
you. Next year, you will be embarking on your independent life. You need to
prepare yourself for that and become accountable for your actions. We all
make decisions, and with those decisions come consequences. Some are positive
and some are not. It is important to keep that in mind while in the classroom.
As seniors, you know how to behave. I expect every student to contribute to a
positive learning environment. I like to treat students as adults unless given a
reason not to. Inappropriate behaviors will not be tolerated. I like the
classroom to be comfortable and fun, but an environment where everyone has
the opportunity to learn without disruption. There is a time to have fun and a
time to work. I trust that you are all mature enough to know the difference. I
will be fair and consistent and students will be made aware of my concerns and
disapproval of behaviors. Dealing with inappropriate behavior will begin in the
classroom and proceed as necessary. I like to keep the classroom rules simple.
There are three main rules to follow in my classroom. Choosing to follow these
rules will assure your success.
1. Be Prepared
When you come through the door, you will have all materials needed
for the class. These materials include:
 Notebook
 Binder (2”)
 Pens and pencils
Going to school without a pen or pencil and a notebook is like going skiing
without your skis...It just doesn’t make sense! Be prepared! In some
cases, materials may be available for rent as set forth by the Mini
Economy Congress.
2. Be Polite and Respectful
Everyone’s opinion is of equal importance in this class and everyone in the
class will show mutual respect for one another. I am not flexible in this
area. Everyone brings talent and ideas to the class.
3. Do Your Best
I realize that not all material is easy to understand. All I ask is that you do
your best and we will get through the material together.
Grading
I’m sure this is the page that many of you are concerned with. You are all
asking, “How do I get an A?” Your grade will be calculated each quarter in the
following manner:
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Quizzes and Homework 25%
Unit Tests 40%
Quarter Tests 20%
Projects 15%
5. Final Grade Calculation...((Qtr1*2)+(Qtr2*2)+Final Exam)/5
 Quarter tests are comprehensive exams given at the end of each
quarter. They will focus on the material covered during the
quarter and will help students stay on top of their learning while
continually reviewing and preparing them for the final exam. These
tests will be multiple choice. (1 per quarter)
 Projects are designed to help you understand a specific topic and
are a fun way to boost your grade. They allow you the opportunity
to explore in detail material that is introduced in class and make
real world connections that will impact you. (1-4 per quarter)
 Unit Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will cover the
material from the unit. Unit tests will be multiple choice. (2-4 per
quarter)
 Quizzes and homework. Brief quizzes will be given in class to
assess knowledge of a particular area. These are almost always
announced. On rare occasions, an unannounced quiz may be given.
Homework may be given to reinforce learning that takes place in
the classroom. Various homework assignments may be graded.
* In the rare event that we do not have a quarter test, the unit test
average will be used in its place.
** Extra Credit is not available at any point in the course. There are
many opportunities to succeed.
Cell Phones
Cells phones have become a fixture in our society and can be very useful in
times of emergency. They are not useful in this classroom and will not be
tolerated. If you have a cell phone it is to be turned off and put away upon
entering the classroom. Cell phone violations will result in dismissal from class.
Parents should be aware of their child’s schedule so that they are not trying to
call you during class time. In case of an emergency your parent may call the
main office and you will be notified.
Missed Work/Late Work
Although regular attendance is expected, I understand that certain
circumstances lead to unexpected absences. You are responsible to make up all
work. You are required to get the assignments and notes from a fellow student
and “while you were out sheets” will explain what you missed and provide you
with directions. Missed work is not ignored. You are expected to turn it in on
the due date. If you are not in school, it is to be e-mailed to me by 2:20 PM on
the day it is due. Tests and quizzes are made up by the date that I set (within
2 days of return). After that they count as a zero. All work, tests, quizzes,
projects, etc… that are not complete by the date that I set is considered
late and will not be accepted…NO EXCEPTIONS! Cutting class does not
entitle you to “missed work” privileges!
Academic Integrity
It is expected that all work is the product of the student’s own thoughts and
ideas. Failure to follow this guideline will result in a grade of “0” for the
assignment or task. Repeated behavior will meet with more severe tasks as
determined by the teacher and administration. Simply put...DON”T CHEAT!
Binders
You are required to keep a binder throughout the course. Your binder should be
organized neatly and will be reviewed quarterly. Upon this review you will
receive a grade that counts as a unit test. Exemplars will be available at the
end of each quarter to help you organize your material. The purpose of the
binder is to help you. Many of the materials given will be directly referenced on
the final exam.
Books
You may sign a textbook out for the semester if you like. The books serve as a
reference for you. Although I will not assign daily reading out of the book, it is
assumed that you are reading the chapters as they correspond with classroom
material. The books are the property of WCS and should be returned in the
same condition that they were assigned. You will be billed for damaged or lost
books.
Web site
I have a developed a small web site on the W’boro homepage (under high school
classrooms...social studies...Mr. Klein). This is only to provide general
information and supplement what takes place in the class. My contact
information can be found on this site. I check my e-mail several times a day and
it is a great way to contact me for information. Students should feel free to email me with questions and concerns. On occasion, I will post important notices
or needed documents on the site. However, this site is not a substitute for the
information that is given in the classroom. Students are responsible for
materials, assignments, and instructions given in class.
Twitter
I have a twitter account to keep students more involved. I will send various
reminders via twitter for test, quizzes, projects, and other important
information. If you are interested in following my tweets, my account name is
@kleinboro.
Procedures
Procedures are extremely important to maintain efficiency and effectiveness in
the classroom. Various procedures will be established for the daily operations
in the classroom. The students are expected to learn these procedures,
respect them, and follow them. Many procedures will be set by the mini
economy with appropriate fines and tolls charged for failure to comply with the
procedures. Continued disrespect of procedures will result in disciplinary
action. Procedures covered in the first days of class will include:
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Entering the classroom.
Bathroom use.
Class discussions.
Assignments after absences
Tardiness / absences.
Fire drills.
General classroom needs.
One Final Note
As seniors, much of your high school academic career is behind you. You have
all suffered through the Regents Exams and countless academic headaches. It
is easy to look ahead to June and get lazy. Keep in mind...You must pass this
course to graduate! There are no free passes! Unfortunately, every year, a
few seniors do not take this seriously and consequently, do not graduate. Please
remain focused.
The Course
After all this, you’re probably wondering what we are going to study. Below is a
brief course outline. Economics 12 is a condensed version of two different
courses that you may take in college (Micro and Macro Economics). We will
first look at economic systems and the elements of individual decision making.
From there, we will venture into financial, national, and world economics. We
will have many discussions in the course that will help you with the economic
decisions that you will make in the future.
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1 – Introduction to Economics
Chapter 1 What is Economics?
Chapter 2 Economic Systems
Chapter 3 American Free Enterprise
2 – How Markets Work
Chapter 4 Demand
Chapter 5 Supply
Chapter 6 Prices
Chapter 7 Market Structures
3 – Business and Labor
Chapter 8 Business Organizations
Chapter 9 Labor
4 – Money, Banking, and Finance
Chapter 10 Money and Banking
Chapter 11 Financial Markets
5 – Measuring Economic Performance
Chapter 12 Gross Domestic Product and Growth
Chapter 13 Economic Challenges
6 – Government and the Economy
Chapter 14 Taxes and Government Spending
Chapter 15 Fiscal Policy
Chapter 16 The Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy
7 – The Global Economy
Chapter 17 International Trade
Chapter 18 Economic Development and Transition
Dear Student,
I would like you to sign the bottom of this sheet. Your signature is proof that you have been
given these guidelines and that they have been explained to you. It also indicates that you
understand my expectations. Completion of this sheet is a homework assignment and you
will receive credit accordingly. This form must be completed and returned to me by
February 6th, 2015. If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please discuss
them with me after school or during free time. Thank you.
Parent/Guardian Name:
Phone Number(s): HM
WK
Parent’s E-mail:
Student’s signature:
Printed Name:
Student’s E-mail:
Any important information you want me to know:
Cell: