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Personal Finance

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GJHS Course Syllabus

Course Name: Personal Finance

Instructor: Mrs. Potasnik—JHS Room C111 (814)533-5601 Ext. 3111

ppotasnik@gjsd.net

Course Overview:

The study of personal finance will include more than just working with simple numbers. We will learn how each topic covered throughout the year affects our everyday lives. During the beginning of the course, we will review the basic math functions; such as, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Math skills, and the ability to apply them, are foundation skills.

When you complete this class, you will have a solid understanding of how personal finance provides the necessary foundation for any career in the business world. It will be necessary to use the skills that we learn constantly to maintain a high rate of proficiency. For the most part, calculators will be used at the discretion of the instructor during the first nine-week period, so as to build our skills and competencies.

The class will consist of detailed explanations along with numerous examples on the board to better help you gain an understanding of the topics covered. Questions concerning the examples are always welcomed. My strategy is to make sure that each student comprehends the material. If that entails explaining in a different way so that all understand, then so be it.

Please note that personal finance is a year-long class meeting every day for 42 minutes. It is imperative that you attend class each day to gain knowledge of the material covered. Homework is given periodically throughout the year to check for understanding.

Course Objectives:

Identify and understand the meaning of the vocabulary used in each chapter.

Read all material/directions before beginning to work.

Learn to write numbers clearly and concisely.

Round numbers/answers as asked for in the directions.

Practice problems from each section for immediate reinforcement.

Challenge yourself by completing the math alerts and critical thinking sections at the end of each chapter.

Classroom Rules:

Attendance:

It is absolutely necessary that you attend class every day. This course, like any course, will follow a rigorous and continuous schedule in which fundamentals and new concepts are introduced and reviewed every day. By missing one class, you will lose valuable learning that will affect your future work.

Granted, sometimes sickness or family emergencies enter into the picture, in which case, it is your responsibility to see me in the mornings (7:15-7:30) on the day you come back to school so that I can explain the material that you missed. Do not wait until class to ask “What did I miss?” I cannot stop class to explain to you individually all that you missed. That would not be fair to the other students. Missed assignments will be kept in an “absentee folder” for you to gather.

If you are absent the day an assignment is due, that assignment is due the day you return. If you are absent on the day of a quiz or a test, be prepared to take that quiz or test on the day of your return. All makeup work must be completed within three (3) days of your return to school, or you will receive a zero.

If you are absent, you must visit your academy office to get an excusal slip from the secretary. Do not enter the classroom without an excusal slip. Should you “forget” to get the excusal slip, you will be given only one chance to go to your academy office to pick up your excusal slip without having teacher detention. If you “forget” to get your excusal slip on the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, etc., you will be assigned my teacher detention. Should you refuse to come for the teacher detention, a discipline log will be sent to your academy office. This policy will drastically cut down the number of students in the hall and will assure that you are in my room for instruction the entire class period. An unexcused absence will result in a zero for any assignments, quizzes, tests, or activities performed that day.

Behavior:

We are all mature individuals in this room and are expected to behave accordingly. I expect you to come to class promptly every day and have all your materials (text, pencils/pens, folders, notebooks, assignments, if any). Pencils should be sharpened before class begins. Responsible and respectful behavior is expected at all times. Putting your head down on the table/desk and sleeping will not be tolerated. You must concentrate on the material or directions being presented by the teacher. Pay close attention to the points listed in the Code of Conduct Contract that will follow.

Tardiness to Class:

You must arrive to class on time! This does not mean “running in the door and saying that you made it.” I expect you to have your text and materials and be seated ready to begin class when the late bell rings. I will begin the class promptly when the late bell rings.

Coming to class late is a disruption in the educational process of others. Accurate records of “lates” will be kept in a notebook. If you are late to class two (2) times, a phone call will be made to your home. If you are late to class three (3) times, you will be assigned “teacher detention”. If you refuse to take my teacher detention, a discipline log will be written and sent to your academy office and another phone call will be made to your home. If you are late to class 4, 5, etc. times, additional discipline logs will be written.

If a teacher, secretary, administrator, or anyone else causes you to be late for my class, make sure you ask them for an admit. Verbally telling me that they held you up will not erase the fact that you were late. Again, it is extremely important that you are on time every day to class.

Dismissal from Class:

This class is not a study hall. Your attendance is mandatory. Please do not ask if you can go to another teacher’s room, the gym, or any other activity in the building while my class is going on. You need to be here! Restroom privileges should not be abused. Should I see that occurring, I will notify the nurse who will then call your home. For safety reasons, stay seated until the dismissal bell rings to move on to your next class.

Course Materials:

(Students will need these items everyday in class.)

Personal Finance textbook (Students will receive a numbered slot in cabinet for storage of books/folders.)

Personal Finance workbook (Students will store the workbook along with other materials for the class in their numbered slot in the cabinet.)

Business Math textbook (Students will store this text along with other materials for the class in their numbered slot in the cabinet.)

Composition notebook (provided; as many as needed throughout the course)

Pencils/Pens (One pencil will be provided during each marking period—students may bring others.)

Erasers

Calculator (provided, once we begin using them in class)

Rulers (provided)

Course Text & Readings:

Text—Managing Your Personal Finances, 4^th edition, Joan S. Ryan.
Student Activity Guide for Managing Your Personal Finances text
Supplemental Text—Practical Math Applications 2^nd edition, Burton and Shelton.
Supplemental Text—Mathematics for Business and Personal Finance, c=2010.
Supplemental Text—Mathematics for Business Careers, 5^th edition.
Supplemental pamphlet—“How To Do Your Banking” provided by Somerset Trust Bank.
Supplemental guides—“Financial Education for a New Generation” provided by NEFE.
Supplemental packet provided by First Commonwealth Bank.

Assessments:

Grades can be determined at any time throughout the year using the following grading scale:

93% - 100% A

82% - 92% B

70% - 81% C

60% - 69% D

0% - 59% F

Your final grade will be determined by four (4) 9-week grades and the final exam. Each 9-week grade is worth 20%, and the final grade is worth 20%. Even if you pass all 9-week marking periods, but fail the final exam, you may still fail the course. It is imperative that you take the final exams seriously.

Grading Policy & Procedures:

Grading Scale:

Grades can be determined at any time throughout the year using the following grading scale:

93% - 100% A

82% - 92% B

70% - 81% C

60% - 69% D

0% - 59% F

Academic Dishonesty:

Any act of academic dishonesty (cheating on quizzes, tests, documents, plagiarism of homework, etc) will not be tolerated and will result in the following:

1) a zero on the work involved.

2) a phone call home to parent/guardian.

3) a discipline log sent to the office.

If you need help on any assignment or in studying for a quiz or test, please see me in the mornings (7:15-7:30) or after school (2:35-3:00), and I will be more than happy to help you. Therefore, there is no reason for any dishonesty.

Quizzes / Tests:

Quizzes will be given throughout the chapters and may be announced or unannounced. The purpose of quizzes is to help me see what areas of difficulty you may be experiencing with the material prior to taking a large chapter test. Therefore, we can correct any mistakes you are making and remediation can take place before you take the chapter test.

Tests will occur at the end of each chapter. Tests will be announced at least two (2) to three (3) days in advance. A review for the test will occur before the test. This will give you a chance to ask questions of any material that you may not completely understand. If absent on the day of a test, you will need to make arrangements to take a makeup test.

Progress reports will be sent home in the middle of the 9-week period for those students who are not achieving at least a “C” average.

Homework:

Doing homework is vital if you are to succeed in this (or any) course. It is an important part of the lessons and must be completed on a regular basis. Homework is the learning experience which allows you to practice the concepts you are learning in class. You learn the material by doing work—each and every homework assignment is very important. Homework will be checked each time either individually or together as a class; but, it must be completed. No homework—no credit!

Course Outline:

The topics that we will cover in Personal Finance include the following:

Basic Math Functions

Fractions (proper/improper) and Mixed Numbers

Percents

Career Decisions

Money Management

Bank Services

Payroll

Taxes

Financial Security—Investments/Retirement

Interest—Simple/Compound

Insurance

Purchasing Merchandise

Markups and Markdowns

Credit Management

Resource Management—Buying a Home and Car, Mortgages, Consumer Loans

Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

Metrics and Currency

Wishing you a great year in this class—Mrs. Potasnik

Code of Conduct Contract

Mrs. Potasnik

v All Greater Johnstown High School regulations, responsibilities, and disciplinary options stated in the Code of Student Discipline book will be understood and followed by every student in this classroom.

v Point values will be assigned for each infraction.

1. Respect yourself, classmates, teachers, administrators, all other staff, and property of Johnstown High School. Treat others as you wish to be treated!
2. Students will be on time for class! Sleeping or not doing work in class will not be tolerated.
3. Students will remain seated at all times.
4. Students will raise their hands to talk.
5. Students need to be prepared for each time in class. No one will be permitted to leave the classroom after the bell rings for the start of class unless they have an admit from an administrator excusing them for a legitimate reason.
6. Students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism and cheating will result in disciplinary action as stated in the Greater Johnstown School Handbook and could result in a failing grade for the year.
7. Students are expected in class every day! When absent, you are responsible for any make-up work.
8. Do not bring food, candy, or drinks to class.
9. All electronic devices are prohibited in this classroom. Specifically, cell phone possession is severely restricted. Students caught with cell phones in their possession will have them confiscated, and they must be picked up by a parent/guardian in the Main Office.

Please return this paper to (Mrs. Potasnik) no later than (date will be given verbally and written here by the student).

I have read and understand the overall course structure as well as the student requirements and responsibilities. I have also read the rules in the Code of Conduct Contract and understand them and the consequences that result if not followed.

Student Name:
Student Signature :		Date:
Parent/ Guardian Name:		Relation:
Parent / Guardian Signature		Date:
Class Period =	Name of Class =	Date =

Parent/Guardian Contact Information: (Please mark information below neat/legibly.

Address (including zip code)__________________________________

Home telephone number____________________________________

Cell phone number_________________________________________

Email address______________________________________________