Week of August 25

Hi everyone,

Well, we managed to survive the first week. It was a hot one, but I think it should cool down a bit by the end of this week. Last week, I had intended to jump right in and start covering material in all of my classes. However, I forgot that I planned to give a pre-test in order to measure student progress over the semester. So, last week was spent going over expectations and procedures and pre-testing. This week, we can really get started. Here is what I have planned:

Computers 1
We will start by completing a flyer in Word together. I'll demonstrate everything step-by-step while students work along with me. Later in the week, students will complete study guides for the chapter and complete flyers on their own. Students will be introduced to a variety of formatting techniques available in Word.

Business Concepts
On Monday, I will pass out the study guide packet for this chapter. On Friday, study guides 1 and 2 will be due at the beginning of class. This week we will discuss wants vs. needs, goods vs. services, different types of world economies, and the concept of supply and demand. Students will be taking notes and completing activities each day.

Business Law
On Monday, I will pass out the study guides for this chapter. These study guides will not be due until Tuesday, September 2 at the beginning of the hour. This week we will discuss the creation of laws, different types of laws, and the importance of ethics. On Monday and Tuesday, students will be given a condensed Supreme Court case and asked to create a brief. A case brief pulls out only the most important information; basically it is a snapshot of the case as a whole. This will be completed in class. On Thursday, students will start watching a movie about Bernie Madoff and his infamous Ponzi scheme. Early next week students will be writing about what they watched.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one.

MD

Week of August 18

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by my classroom blog.

In all classes, Tuesday will be spent on a school-wide event where students will be taught the expectations for the school year: Responsible, Respectful, and Ready. The day will end with everyone on the footfall field taking part in a variety of fun activities. On Wednesday, I will hand out the syllabus for each class and let everyone know what to expect during the semester.

For Business Concepts and Business Law, students are required to bring their handbook, writing utensil and notebook. For Computers 1, students are only required to bring their handbook.

Business Concepts
On Thursday,  we will be starting chapter 1, about the economy, specifically needs vs. wants and goods vs. services. We will be taking notes in class and completing activities related to the content. Study guides for the chapter will be passed out on Thursday, and will be due sometime next week. I will give a more specific date in next week's blog post.

Computers 1
This week we will be starting a project in Word about creating flyers including formatting such as borders, font colors and effects, and picture styles.
 
Business Law
 This week, we will start chapter 1 over the definition of law and how it is created. Students will read an actual U.S. Supreme Court case and create a brief (summary) of the case. There should not be any outside homework.

That should be it for this week. Have a good one!

MD

Week of May 19

Hi everyone,

This will be our last full week of school this year. Here is what I have planned:

Computers 2
We will do a variety of computer activities this week, including making calendars for next school year.

Business Concepts
On Monday, we will finish the notes for chapter 8. On Tuesday, we will review and study guides 8.1 & 8.2 will be due. On Wednesday, students will take a test over chapter 8 and I will collect notes. On Thursday and Friday, students will create PowerPoints in groups about the most important things they learned this semester in business concepts. 

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one.

MD

Week of May 12

Hi everyone,

Congratulations to the class of 2014 on your upcoming graduation! Seniors are now finished with school, but the rest of us still have another month to finish. Here is what I have planned for this week:

Computers 2
In groups, students will begin marketing campaigns for new brands of shampoo. They will create a name with logo, bottle design, slogan, print advertisement, coupon, and commercial during this week. Finished projects will be shown to the class. There should be no outside work.

Business Concepts
This week we will start chapter 8, over saving and investing. Students will learn about the importance of saving early and will also take part in an online stock market simulation. On May 30, the student in each class who made the most money on his/her investments will receive a yet to be decided award. On Friday of this week, study guides 8.1 and 8.2 will be due.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one.

MD

Week of May 5

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather. This week will be the last in high school for the class of 2014. Seniors will take exams on Monday, May 12th. Here is what I have planned for the week:

Computers 2
We will take a test on Monday over the final Publisher chapter. On Tuesday, students will start a project using a site called Voki. This should take the rest of the week. Friday is the first annual Vandals Olympics, so I don't have anything planned.

Business Concepts
On Monday, students will complete a credit card activity. On Tuesday, we will review chapter 7 and on Wednesday students will take a test over the chapter. I will be collecting chapter notes on Tuesday, as I will be out of class all day Wednesday in a meeting. On Thursday, we will watch an episode of Shark Tank which the students always seem to enjoy.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one.

MD

Week of April 28

Hi everyone,

Last week was crazy with PSAEs, field trips, and prom setup. Hopefully this week will be a bit more normal. Here is what I have planned:

Computers 2
Students will continue to work on creating newsletters. No outside homework or test this week.

Business Concepts
We will continue covering credit this week. Students will complete a comparison of various credit card offers. Later in the week, we will watch a movie called In Debt We Trust. Study guides 7.3 and 7.4 will be due on Thursday.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one!

MD

Week of April 21

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable spring break. It went by too fast! Here is what I have planned for this week:

Computers 2
We will start working on project 3 in Publisher together. This project covers the creation of newsletters. There will be no outside homework.

Business Concepts
The final day to turn in checking packets is Tuesday. This week we will start a chapter over credit. We will cover installment loans and credit cards. Students can receive extra credit if they bring in a credit card offer that someone in their house has received. All identifying information should be blacked out. Study guides 7.1 and 7.2 will be due on Friday.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one!

MD