Course Description*

Economics & Personal

Finance
Alleghany High School
Course Syllabus: 2015 - 2016
Mr. Christian Conrad

Email:
cconrad@alleghany.k12.va.us
Website:
mrconradsclassroom.weebly.com

Economics & Personal finance is designed to develop the

knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for responsible
citizenship in a constitutional democracy. Objectives
include personal living and finances, personal and
business money management skills, completing a loan
application, dealing with merchants, debt management,
and state and federal income tax computations.
Economics and Personal Finance is a hybrid course that
includes the use of online resources such as Virtual
Virginia and Everfi and will conclude with the
administration of the W!SE: Financial Literacy Exam.

Course Expectations
1. Show up to class on time and prepared each day. This means all homework is done prior to class,
assignments are read and the proper materials / supplies (see below) are brought to class.
2. Engage and participate in class discussions, which are meant to stimulate ideas, foster intellectual
growth, and provide confidence to all students involved. Sleeping and placing ones head on the
desk is unacceptable behavior.
3. Be respectful of others opinions. You will not always agree with your fellow classmates, but you
must show respect towards your peers.
4. Keep your notebook organized, and come to class with all materials you need for the day.
5. I do not permit any food or drinks in my classroom unless a documented medical need would
require it (diabetes, hypoglycemia, eating after taking medication, etc.)
6. Cell phones are not to be used in class unless otherwise noted for an academic reason. IPods, Tablets,
or laptops may be used in certain circumstances with
teacher approval.

Required Supplies
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1 inch 3 ring binder with dividers and a folder

Calculator
Pen AND Pencil
College ruled notebook paper
USB Flashdrive/Jumpdrive

Types of Assignments
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Classwork: Students will be asked to read their textbook, excerpts from novels, and articles both
inside and outside of the classroom. Students will also be asked to complete worksheets and Virtual
Virginia & Everfi modules that will be collected or submitted for a grade. In addition, students
classwork grade will be assessed based on various tasks in the classroom economy (see
attachment), and their work in the Stock Market Game.
Group / Individual Projects & Tests: Students will be asked to work on various projects both in a
group and individually that encourage team building, cooperative learning, and critical thinking. In
various cases, students will need to present work. Students will demonstrate understanding of
content at the end of various units through a test.
Quizzes & Pop Quizzes: Students will be provided with multiple quizzes throughout the semester to
demonstrate content knowledge and understanding.

Virtual Virginia & Everfi Quizzes: Students will be complete a plethora of Virtual Virginia and Everfi
quizzes that will vary between eight and thirteen points. Students MUST receive a minimum of an
eighty percent; if this is not achieved the student will receive a zero for the assignment. Students
will be given an unlimited amount of attempts to complete these quizzes; however will need to
complete the quizzes by the assigned date.
Final/W!SE Exam: Students will be given a final in the form of the W!SE: Financial Literacy Test. This
is a national test in which students throughout the state of Virginia take.

Grading Breakdown
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Virtual Virginia & Everfi Quizzes: 10%

W!SE Exam: 15% (only included in final six weeks grade)
Classwork: 20%
Quizzes: 20%
Tests/Projects: 35%

Attendance & Late Policy

Even though I love teaching, sometimes I dont want to get out of bed, but I do because it is my job. I
expect you to adhere to your job as a student and attend class regardless of desire. I keep daily
attendance, and check school absentee list daily. If caught skipping, work for that day will result in a
ZERO.

Assignment/Make Up Policy
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Homework and Projects will be accepted only at the beginning of class (unless otherwise noted).
All work turned in late will receive a maximum of fifty percent if turned in the following calendar
day and will receive a zero if turned in two days late. Students caught trying to complete
homework in class the day that it is due will have their assignment marked as late.
MISSED NOTES AND CLASSWORK ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. In the event you miss class
due to an excused absence or are taken out of class, you need to either receive both notes and
classwork from a classmate or me prior to when class starts.
If a student is absent on the day an assignment is due and knew about the assignment before
his/her absence, the assignment should be turned in the day the student returns to school.
If an assignment is made on the day a student is absent, the assignment is due the day after the
student returns to school.

Plagiarism/Cheating
All students are expected to abide by the honor code policy. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated
and will result in a zero on the assignment without any questions asked. Cheating is defined as: (A)
copying another students work, (B) allowing a student to copy your work, (C) producing an authors
work as your own without giving the author credit (e.g. plagiarism), (D) working on an assignment
together when such action was not authorized by the teacher, and/or (E) using a cell phone on a test or
quiz regardless if you were checking the time or date, texting your mom, or receiving a phone call.
Cheating will result in disciplinary action, as well.

Classroom Economy
In class this year youll be a key member of an economic system,
contributing as a producer, earner, investor, and consumer. Youll be
earning and spending classroom dollars. This syllabus explains the
program, and youll have an opportunity to ask questions about it in
class.
Part One: Earning and Spending Money
Starting now, you have bills to pay. Youll owe monthly rent for your desk, and you also have an
electricity bill. Fortunately, you have several ways to earn enough classroom cash to pay these bills.
You also have special investment opportunities, and youll see some attractive ways to spend your
earningsassuming you can save up enough. Your bills always come first.
You will earn $750 a month for being an exemplary student. "
You can earn more if you take on another classroom job (see the jobs attached).
You can earn bonus pay for achievements such as making good grades or performing well in class.
You must rent your desk for $800 per month. However, if you save up enough, you can purchase
your desk for a one-time payment of $1,250 and never pay rent again. "
You must pay $150 a month as your share of the classroom electricity bill.
You will owe fines to the class when you do not follow the classroom rules and fall short of
exemplary student requirements. The list of fines is attached.
You can use your extra money to buy items in the class auctions. (Feel free to give the Auctioneers
suggestions for things to be bid on.) "
You may want to use some of your earnings for insurance or for investments. These are advanced
topics that wont be covered in class for a while, although you can read about them in Part Two.
Part Two: Insurance and Investing
Starting next month, on Bill Day you will have two new options: to purchase insurance and to invest in
the investment simulator. You can decide to participate in one, both, or neither.
You are offered two types of insurance: Property insurance (covering your desk) and auto insurance. If
you buy any insurance, youll be protected from the cost of repairs should damage occur when the
insurance simulator is run. Its up to you to decide whether you want to buy the protection or simply
hope that your possessions will escape harm. If you choose to purchase insurance, you have two
options:
Pay $500 for a full year of either type of coverage (or $1,000 for both).
" Pay $200 for one month of either type of coverage (or $400 for both). You can pay for a month on each
Bill Day.
About once a week, our class will use an insurance simulator that employs random number generation
to determine whether the class desks have suffered any damage. Depending on the results, you may
suffer no damage at all, or you may incur $100, $150, or $200 worth of repairs. If you own insurance
you will not have to pay any repair bills.

Please return this page of the syllabus NO LATER THAN _______________ (5 Points of CW Grade)
I have read the Economics & Personal Finance Syllabus for Mr. Conrads class and understand the course requirements
and course expectations. I also acknowledge that I have received the SOLs for the Economics & Personal Finance
course in compliance with the Alleghany School Board and the Virginia Department of Educations policy.

Student Name (PRINT):

Signature ___________________________________________

Date____________________________

Parent / Guardian Name (PRINT):

Parent/ Guardian Email:
Signature_____________________________________________

Date____________________________