Syllabus
Welcome to Personal Finance!
Description: This course is designed for students that have completed Algebra 2 and do not wish to pursue Calculus. We will take the skills learned in prior math classes and apply those skills to the world of personal finance/microeconomics.
We will address the following topics during semester 1:
August: Behavioral Finance--your values, how you relate to money, social media and spending, what affects your decision making
September: College--Paying for school, FAFSA, scholarships, grants, student loans and their repayment, budgeting during college
October: Career--choosing a path, resumes, interviews, negotiating salaries
November: Banking--types of accounts, fees, fraud, simple versus compound interest on savings accounts
December: Protecting yourself from Identity theft project
Semester 2 will include credit scores, taxes, investing, insurance, and budgeting (more later on those). We will also complete a book club style book study and the Future Self Notebook.
Curriculum: We are using a curriculum created by Next Generation Personal Finance (ngpf.org). There is no textbook for this course, so we will rely heavily on google classroom and online resources.
Supplies: You should have a 1 inch (or more) binder for class material, access to a computer with internet, and a calculator with sin, cos, and tan functions (I can recommend TI 30XIIS). Optionally, pencils of your choice, loose leaf paper, and a personal expo marker.
I will provide(if we are in class):
graph paper, rulers, scissors, glue, lined paper, markers and colored pencils from previous classes ***While it is possible to do assignments by writing on the pdfs, I think you will want to have a printed copy for most assignments.
Absences: We will be doing group activities, learning new material, and answering questions daily. If you are sick or have to be absent, please email to let me know not to expect you. We can make arrangements for you to make up the lesson within the same week of the absence.
Homework: I expect students to complete homework within a small amount of time. Often homework is completed within 15 minutes.
Expectations:
You must come ready to work. Please have your homework done and be ready.
The agenda is available on Mrs. Wenndt’s Math Class (my google site).
Group assignments require work from every member of the group.
We rely a lot on participation. What you learn depends on your investment in learning!
Grades:
Because this is a different kind of math class, grades are based more on work than tests. End of the unit tests will allow you to use your notes and often will involve case studies. All grades will be available through Powerschool. I use a total points system.
Homework--Completion of homework is important for understanding. Homework will be given often and must be completed for credit. Most homework will take 15-20 minutes and may be started in class.
Classwork--Most classwork will be done as a group and you will receive credit for participation. However, sometimes you will receive individual assignments.
Tests/Projects--Large Unit Assessments will be mostly projects, open notes assessments, or case studies.
Contacting me: I am available between 8 and 3 daily via email or google text message. If you need to contact me after 3 or before 8, I will reply by noon on the next class day.
Email: lwenndt@asfaschool.org and google text (205)774-1311.