AP Economics: Intro Housekeeping

Intro and housekeeping matters.

Class policies follow the Student Handbook.

Textbooks:
Textbooks you should already have. I will not be covering earlier topics such as the Math for Economics or Micro; however, I have an abundance of materials since taking the AP Economics course at Rutgers during the summer. I can make these materials available. We have plenty of material to cover in this course on Macroeconomics. I have material online and will supply work that can be done in-class.

Grading:
Grading is a point-based system and assignments are weighted. Essentially, a points system will decide your grade. Every assignment, project, quiz, or test has a point value weighted appropriately.

The Grade syllabus will also be available through GradeConnect. Grading is based on Quizzes, tests, chapter/unit exams, and other participatory work such as in-class work, and group work. Quizzes are smaller exams and unannounced; Tests are always scheduled, announced well in advance, and worth more points.

Homework is daily and due the next day barring absence, and with your absence, HW is due the day you return. HW is posted and available online even when you are absent.

Emailed HW might be best since I am not tethered to a specific room and you can send it directly to me. I am connected online most of the time so I generally will be available.

Class participation includes working with a partner or in a small group, discussion, games, and projects of various sorts applying what we are learning, details will be provided as we come to these more detailed assignments.

Contact info:
Twitter: gmicksmith@twitter.com
gmsmith@shanahan.com
Shanahan: 610.518.1300 x4281
For AP Economics and World History 2:
http://gmicksmithsocialstudies.blogspot.com/
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/gmicksmith
GradeConnect

HW
1. On a first come, first serve basis, accurately define the terms in the first intro section: scarcity. Post definitions, any discussion points, and content questions on our wiki page:

The defined terms, and any subsequent discussion or comments should be collected on:
http://shanawiki.wikispaces.com/

2. Enter email for blog updates as soon as there is a new post.

3. Fill out the:
"Student Introduction" at:
http://gmicksmithsocialstudies.blogspot.com/2009/09/student-introduction.html

Email answers privately to me at gmsmith@shanahan.org; never post any personal information online.

Now that we have some HW to get us off the ground we can examine some online material that we can employ. I will tie in the textbook material to our in-class and online resources.

On the blogger site there are numerous clips and lesson plans that we will refer to in class, e.g., "Every Graph You Need to Know."

Also, you may have heard about the "Broken Window Fallacy:" http://gmicksmithsocialstudies.blogspot.com/2009/08/ap-economics-broken-window-fallacy.html

There are economic references on games that may be applicable:
Civilization IV incorporates economic theory and discussions for gamers: http://gmicksmithsocialstudies.blogspot.com/2009/08/ap-economics-civilization.html

As we have seen, class content and material is available online, e.g., on scarcity:
http://www.fte.org/teachers/programs/rightstart/curriculum/scarcityandopportunitycost.html