Economic Seminar

Remind texts have been a bit flaky;
use the Remind app instead of (or in addition to) texts. Notes and other assignments always subject to review & grading.

15-Jun-2017

Your final exam is 120 questions from throughout the course; the score is out of 100 so you can do what you like with the "extra" 20: skip, try/guess, whatever. NOTE: Genesis doesn't accept a grade above 100, in case you were wondering.

The usual rules are in effect - no phones, notes, etc. Scrap paper is allowed. Please use the calculator in Windows (click START button), if needed.

Click here and await the secret word.

11-Jun-2017

Ch 33/34 test

- Must be completed no later than 11:59pm this Wednesday (14Jun)

- Open notes/book/Internet

- Max of two attempts (best score counts)

- Secret word sent via Remind

Final Exam Stuff

- Previous tests will shortly be viewable online

- Final exam ?s may come from previous questions OR ?s at end of chapters

29-May-2017

We're in the home stretch. I appreciate the schedule you proposed, but we're going to have to go with this one.

If you're doing well, keep it up; if you are not happy with your grade, you have a bit of opportunity left to raise it - but that's up to you. 

• Please do not ask for an "extra credit packet" to replace regular credit that you chose to not complete/submit during the course.
• Make arrangements for extra help if you need it; do not expect material to be re-taught at the last moment.

YEAR-END SCHEDULE
(subject to change/adjustment)

22-May-2017

1) Take ~15 mins and work as a class to create a schedule through Monday, June 12th (last day of classes) that:

- finishes ch 33,

- covers ch 34,
- allows for tests for both (combine them into one test?)
- and review for final.

Here is the 7D2 schedule. Remember there is no school this coming Friday (26May).

I would appreciate it if someone would email me what you come up with (list dates and activities for each date).

2) Use remaining class time to work on questions within chapter and at end of chapter.

16-May-2017

Ch 31 was on my "wish list"...Ch 33 is next, per the syllabus.

It is expected that you read the text prior to class so that you can ask and answer questions.

12-May-2017 (14:22)

Ch 30 test results were disappointing. I observed: 

• During review, only 2 questions were asked (on the same topic from the Study Guide).
• No one asked any questions about the questions in/after the chapter.
• No one attended extra help.
• Class discussion in this Seminar course continues to be dominated by 25% of the students in the class, and these students tend to be at the top of the class; there is a correlation between participation and learning/doing well.

I suspect that many, especially those who did poorly on the test, did not read the text (or skimmed it), based on:

• None of the vocab terms were matched correctly by all - vocab should be a "gimme".
• Basics that you've seen previously (e.g., real vs nominal) are still challenging some of you.
• Many basics (e.g., 1/P) were missed by many.
• Key concepts important enough to have their own headings/sections in the chapter were missed.
• Other important topics (e.g., those italicized) were missed.

Ask yourself:

• Did I take detailed notes from the text, class, presentations, etc.?
• Did I research and use ancillary resources (e.g., Jacob Clifford, Investopedia, etc.)?
• Did I study/practice with peers or on my own?
• Did I complete the study guide and text questions to identify topics that require additional study or getting extra help on?
• Did I create flashcards (physical or virtual) for the key terms and concepts?
• Did I seek sample questions online or from the teacher?
• Did I invest enough time reviewing during the course of the chapter, and was that time used effectively?

This is supposed to be a college level course. Taking detailed, effective notes is expected at this level. That said, if you want, I can look at your notes and make suggestions, but it is very late in the course. 

I understand AP and PARCC were going on, but this was not a long chapter (barely 20 pages) over the course of a couple of weeks. That's about 2 pages per day plus one vocab term per day - hardly a breakneck pace.

If you are interested in a retake, it's next Wednesday in C120 at 2pm, and it will be averaged with your first score (not available if you didn't test on 12May).

12-May-2017

Ch 30 Test

27-Apr-2017

Ch 29 test

30-Mar-2017

Ch 28 test (open notes (ONE HANDWRITTEN PAGE)

16-Mar-2017 & 17-Mar-2017

• Complete study guides.
• Pair up and create at least 10 solid test questions (with answer key) - as if the test was going to be given. Don't do simple definitions; try to emulate the deeper questions you're used to seeing. Type it in Google Docs and print it for checking next class.

15-Mar-2017

Ch 28 PowerPoint and discussion.

13-Mar-2017

Sorry, folks, out again. Not enjoying this at all.

Use this time to read and take copious notes on Ch 28. Start study guide. Do some poking around on your own to learn about unemployment: pair-up and find an interesting article, video, etc., that's worth sharing as a resource. Email it to me with a summary (your names, why it's relevant, etc.).

06-Mar-2017

Ch 26 Test

01-Mar-2017

Please use this time to:

• Complete the two Activity slides (see Resources page) for next class
• Enhance your notes
• Work on the Study Guide (copies under window near file cabinet)
• Form groups of 3 and choose a topic to "explain" to class

27-Feb-2017

• Ch 26 slides, continued.
• For Wednesday, March 1st, please have the two activity slides (10 & 24) completed. See Resources page for slides.
• Also, I'd like you to team up and each team take a piece of the chapter and take the class through it. You can use Mr Clifford clips, an activity you find, etc.
• Study Guide due MONDAY, March 6th
• Ch 26 Test is MONDAY, March 6th

15-Feb-2017

Chapter 25 test

14-Feb-2017

Complete activity from yesterday.

Return ALL supplies to orange box next to file cabinet.

Use any remaining time to prep for Ch 25 test.

Be nice.

13-Jan-2017

Pizza Project

http://interactives.councilforeconed.org/group/wise-scheme/
http://interactives.councilforeconed.org/group/squeaky-currency/
http://interactives.councilforeconed.org/group/scruffy-alarm/
http://interactives.councilforeconed.org/group/staunch-alarm/
http://interactives.councilforeconed.org/group/hard-existence/

09-Feb-2017

Happy Snow Day! After two weeks of interruptions, we are ready to close Chapter 25. With all this extra time, I'm sure you've been able to complete the study guide, end-of-chapter questions, etc. Extra help was, is, and will be available during the usual times.

Next class: learn productivity by making pizza...sort of.

Following class: Ch 25 test.

See Remind for links to resources. NOTE: At this level, it is expected that you can/will do some searching on your own, and that extra help is for when the text, class discussion, and your own efforts don't get you to where you want to be. 

24-Jan-2017

Due to unusual circumstances, I won't see you until Thursday (26-Jan). Until then, ensure you complete the following:

• Read entire chapter, completely
• Complete Study Guide issued Friday (20-Jan)
• Complete ?s at back of chapter 25 as well as "Quick Quiz" scattered throughout chapter

The above is subject to grading. On my return, we'll finish the PowerPoint and discuss the questions/answers.

22-Jan-2017

I'm out 3 days this week (sorry, but at least no mid-term exam).

Of course, you should have already read chapter 25 so you can ask intelligent questions during class discussion. We'll finish the PowerPoint and there will be an activity and/or assignment to reinforce things. You should be completing the Study Guide (provided on 20-Jan in class). 

17-Jan-2017

Ch 24 test

HW: Read and take notes on Ch 25; find Mr Clifford & other relevant resources and enter them into your notes.

12-Jan-2017

• Whom does inflation affect? For the better? Worse?
• Mr Clifford videos 
• Take TEN MINUTES to research the topic (you should note any URLs that are particular helpful!), then we'll play a game. 

CH 24 TEST on TUESDAY (17Jan).

10-Jan-2017

Ch 23 re-test.

28-Dec-2016

Economics in the news: Increasing our standard of living while providing jobs - can it be done? Read it. And this follow-up. Be prepared to respond to both (and not just "yeah, sounds good").

22-Dec-2016

Ch 23 test.

19-Dec-2016

You really do need to read the chapter - all of it (margins, boxes, text, etc.). You should be taking notes as well. I get the feeling many of you are relying on class discussion, which should augment, not replace, your reading. 

No one has raised a single question on the questions at the end of the text or the Study Guide. 

Your test is Thursday (22Dec). You have Wednesday to prep as you see fit.

13-Dec-2016

I will check your answers to the handout today, so be sure to bring them next time. And we will finish the lesson and begin wrapping up Ch 23 (which you've read by now AND watched the Clifford videos, right?).

Here are the articles I referenced in discussion:

• How Investing In Preschool Beats The Stock Market, Hands Down
• Why kids who have trouble behaving in preschool fall behind
• What the Marshmallow Test Really Teaches About Self-Control (video)

12-Dec-2016

In-class activity: Income Distribution

Unemployment Survey

08-Dec-2016

WATCH Mr Clifford videos (they took under a minute to locate):
GDP 
Real/Nominal GDP 
GDP Deflator 
Summary 

02-Dec-2016

Ch 6 test

01-Dec-2016

Can you believe it's DECEMBER?!

REVIEW DAY: you asked for it, but you're gonna run it (not me)

Ch 6 test FRIDAY

29-Nov-2016

Minimum Wage

Stossel video 5:49, Robert Reich video 2:41,
Raise the Minimum Wage site , Milton Friedman video 3:38

Mr Clifford (you can do searches on his channel and playlists to find this stuff!)

Taxes on Producers- Microeconomics 2.11 ACDC Econ 5:57

Price Ceilings and Floors- Economics 2.6 4:33

Elasticity and the Total Revenue Test- Micro 2.9 6:12

Study Guide questions?

Ch 6 test FRIDAY

28-Nov-2016

Current events

Go over Ch 4 test in detail

21-Nov-2016

• Ch 6 Study Guide to be distributed
• Don't rule out a "quiz" this week
• If your test scores aren't where you want/need them to be, and you don't seek extra help, what is your plan? Come see me during HR1 for a discussion.
• Sample quiz on Ch 06 (we did some in class)
• Please find useful resources and share with your classmates!

15-Nov-2016

Ch 4 test is here.

14-Nov-2016

• This might help a bit.
• Mr Clifford on Double Shifts 
• Mr Clifford on HRC and DT comments, from an economic perspective (yeah, late, but I just found it)
• If you can graph the following (like we did on the board today), you should be in good shape (click to enlarge). 

26-Oct-2016

Ch 03 test

19-Oct-2016

Complete Study Guides.

Work on ?s at end of chapter in text.

Prepare list of topics you still have ?s on.

17-Oct-2016

Ch 3 presentation: conclusion

Ch 3 study guide: distributed on 14-Oct

Videos:

- shown in class last week (including table)

- shown today (Hong Kong)

- Investopedia: today's and here's another on comparative

11-Oct-2016

Chapter 3: Interdependence and Gains from Trade

Why do we trade?

Presentation/Discussion

10-Oct-2016

Ch 2 test

HW: Read Ch 3 (it's short)

22-Sep-2016 (Evac Drill)

23-Sep-2016 

Complete review of Ch 1 test

Homework (before next class):

1. Sign up for BusinessDictionary (daily vocab sent via email)
2. I recommend you sign up for Investopedia's "Term of the Day" - it's FREE. See bottom of:
   http://www.investopedia.com/accounts/signupnewsletter/ under EDUCATION. Select anything else that looks interesting. 
3. Read Ch 2 in textbook.

20-Sep-2016

Ch 01 Test

19-Sep-2016

It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Know the Ten Principles (what they mean - don't need to memorize the list). 

Questions at end of chapter (in-class) - this is "review" for your chapter assessment.

Ch 1 Assessment on Tuesday (20-Sep). 

13-Sep-2016

Finish group activity from last week

Discuss chapter 1 in-depth (take notes! ask questions!)

Finish Videos for Ten Principles

08-Sep-2016

Topic: Production Possibilities Frontier

Why Can't Things Be Free? (YouTube)

PPF Video from Mr Clifford (YouTube)

Group Activity: PPF (2 days)

07-Sep-2016

Texts distributed

Syllabus distributed

Principle 1: What is Economics/People Face Tradeoffs (vid/discussion)

HW: Read & notes for Ch1 before Tuesday's class; be ready for discussion.

06-Sep-2017

Welcome back!

Texts will be distributed in the next couple of days.

You have two GRADED assignments due by 11:59pm tonight:

Register for Remind (should take under 1 minute): 

1. Click this link or text @econfy1718 to 81010. 
2. Complete this survey by 8:00pm (should take under 10 minutes) on 06Sep.