FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY!!

Woohoo!!!  It's Friday!!!!  Who's excited??  Incredibly, today is also the last SCHOOL day in January!  I'm telling you, while June is still 4 months away, it's going to be here before we know it!!  Okay, I am off topic!

Today is all about finalizing details for your 3 stocks and starting to log information on your stocks current price per share, the value of the 3 different stock markets listed and a headline for your stocks and each of the stock markets.

For your blog today, please confirm the 3 stocks that you have chosen for the project.  In describing the 3 stocks, for each one, please include 2 of the 4 reasons that you chose to invest in these stocks (these can be taken directly from your green sheet).  Be sure that one of the reasons you share is data supported!

Thanks!  You can respond to the post at any point during the class period, however, it should be complete by the end of class!

Please also complete the following link: http://goo.gl/RUolx9

It's a Block Day ... and the LAST ONE in January!

Good Morning!!

Today we are going to learn all about Free Enterprise and your role in that Economic system.  In addition, you will also have an opportunity to compare and contrast Socialism and Capitalism.  As you read chapter 2 sections 3 & 4 please respond to the following questions:

• http://goo.gl/O8cgcz

After completing your responses, take a moment to reflect on the following for your blog response today.  Your response should be thoughtful, can contain a quote from the text, and should be between 5 and 8 sentences.  Thank you!

• There are advantages and disadvantages of Socialism and Capitalism.  For your blog today, describe some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.  After you have listed these advantages and disadvantages discuss which type of Economic system you would prefer to live in.  Explain why you would choose one over the other.

Thanks!!

(If you forgot your book, refer to the following link for a .pdf - http://en.calameo.com/read/00082521404f02355b178)

The End Of January!!

Good Morning and Happy Monday!  It feels good to be back on campus and know I am grounded for the week!  Today and tomorrow are going to be a bit about you and, although I am pushing for a regular routine, a few things are going to have to move around over the next two weeks.  Here is our current outline/agenda!

• Monday 1/26
• Stock Choice and an Intro to Your Stock Market Portfolio!
• Research Factors of Production for Project
• Tuesday 1/27
• Stock Choice
• Factors of Production Preparation
• Wednesday & Thursday 1/28 & 1/29
• Chapter 2, Lessons 3 & 4
• Friday 1/30
• Stock Choice
• Monday 2/2
• CastAway (may finish)
• Tuesday 2/3
• CastAway (will finish) - Worksheet Due, No Exceptions
• Work on Factors of Production Project
• Wednesday/Thursday 2/4 & 5
• Factors of Production Presentations
• Period 2
• Nick, Monica, Ricardo, Ivan, Ezequiel, Alberto, Karissa, Gerardo
• Period 3
• Jacquelin, Yisel, Schuyler, Georgette, Ondre, Uriel, Adan, Osvaldo, Andrew, Nataly
• Friday 2/6
• Stock Market Portfolio - Stock Market Watch

Over the next 2 weeks the reality is that you may have times where you need to do some work outside of class (yes, some homework) but some of you might also have moments where you are a "free bird" so to say!  It is really important that you make the most of your time while you are in here.  With that in mind, here is a blog post for today ... please respond to the following quote:

As you can see from the image I posted, the quote above is from Wayne Gretzky. Who is Wayne Gretzky? What do you think he meant by this quote and how can you relate it to yourself and your academic goals? Can you think of any shots you could have taken but didn't and you now regret it? Any shots you took and it paid off? Any shots you could be taking right now?  I can think of a few off the top of my head!! Remember, we're not just talking about sports here!

Thanks for your thoughtful response. We'll take a second to discuss before getting started with our task(s) for today!

Blog Post for 1/21-22 - A Block Day!!

Good Morning and Happy Block Day!!  Today (seeing as it is a block day) we are going to continue with our study of Economics.  Topics today will include learning about the different types of Economic Systems, What - How and For Whom things should be produced, the limited role of government and the characteristics of that!

For your blog today, please consider the following.  In 1776, the economist Adam Smith described an ideal economic system in which government had a very small part in a nation's economic activity.  This system was called capitalism, another name for the market system we operate in.  Today, however, government's role has increased in the American capitalist system.  Explain 3 reasons (in general) you believe government's role has increased in our society today?

Thanks!  After completing your blog, please visit http://goo.gl/SSVR5c where you will find the assignment for today based on the reading from Chapter 2, Sections 1 & 2.  This can be found on pages 32-46.

Blog for Tuesday 1/20

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!  I hope you had a great 3 day weekend and are rejuvenated and ready to focus on school for a couple of weeks!  The amazing thing is that we have 18 days of school until another long weekend - 4 days next month!  The goal should be to stay focused, work hard and be in great shape as you enter the final stretch of the semester!

Today, as promised, our class period will be dedicated to you having time to work on your Factors of Production Poster Project.  At minimum, you MUST email me and confirm your topic of choice by the end of class today.  If you have already done this it has been updated on the spreadsheet found on Schoology. Below are the questions you should be focused on answering today.  Please describe in two sentences each of the following as you complete your research today.

Natural resources, Labor (all the jobs, different salaries, steps in the production), Capital (man-made tools, items, machines, buildings, etc.), Entrepreneurship (good ideas, who started the company, who runs it today, advertising), and real decisions made recently by the company (good or bad).

Although I know you don't want to hear this, my best guess is that you should have two to three pages of research notes.  By the time your research is complete, you should be able to write a strong paragraph on each factor of production for your product.  As you work on this:

• Use a variety of sources (online is fine), not just Wikipedia.
• DO NOT JUST PRINT OUT WEB PAGES!  Look through them and find valuable information.
• Include a brief bibliography.
• Think outside the box!  This will require good research and inference.  You will need strong information in order to create a decent project, and you may not find good info on the first website you visit.

Thanks and I look forward to seeing your progress!!

Investing in the Stock Market Continued - 1/16/2015

Good Morning!! It's Friday again!! We are one week away from investing $6,000.00 in the stock market! Through this 4 month process you will gain a sound understanding of the stock market and how to properly invest your money in order to make a profit - of course, there is always risk involved and some of you will learn that the hard way!

Today we are going to continue feeling out the market and the various companies out there that you could potentially invest your money in.  Please take a look at your blog from last week, determine which questions you responded to and pick up where you left off.  The goal is to have answered all of the questions below by the end of the day today!!

Questions to respond to:

• The first thing we need to determine is what a stock is! By purchasing stock, explain what you are in essence buying.
• Now make a list of 10 companies that you would, off the top of your head, be most interested in investing in! After you have compiled your list, take a moment to find the cost, per share, to purchase 1 share for each company. Also, place a + or – next to the cost to show whether the stock is currently up or down in today's trading.
• Check out a reliable stock market site (cnbc.com, yahoo finance, finance.google.com (my favorite) and find a few stocks that have recently been recommended. What did you find? Do you trust the “experts” and the suggestions that they are making? What process will you use to decide how to spend the money you will soon inherit?
• What is an "IPO" and can you name one local company that is currently going through this process? What does an IPO mean for a company and what pros and cons can you brainstorm about this process for a company. 
• If you were forced to right now purchase your first stock, which one would you choose? Provide background information about the company and take a moment to analyze its stock performance over the past year. (you can go beyond one year if you choose) Do you think this is a risky stock or no? Why?
• How many shares can you purchase (max $2,000) of your stock and how much money would be remaining?
• Why did you choose this specific company as a good start for your portfolio?
• What choices did you make in choosing this first stock? How did you justify those decisions? 

Did I mention it's Friday?  Happy Friday and enjoy your LONG weekend!

Block Day 1/14 & 15

Good Morning and Welcome -

Today is our block day and as promised we will be using our textbooks to learn about some key introductory economic concepts.  Last week we discussed a few key ideas.  Feel free to do a web search or refer to the textbook if you're not sure what the answer to the following questions are:

1. What is the difference between Microeconomics and Macroeconomics?
2. What exactly does scarcity refer to?  Can you give an example.
3. Your friend says "I need some new clothes."  Under what conditions would this be considered a want?  Under what conditions would this be considered a need?
4. Take a moment to list the four factors of production and an example of each.  Feel free to use our T-shirt example, the pencil example from pages 12-13, or another idea/example you come up with.

This should only take a moment.  We will get started shortly!

Thanks!

IT'S TUESDAY - January 13th

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!!!

For your blog post today please respond to the following questions in paragraph format ...

• How will you be successful this Semester?
• Did you know that there is an Academy Homework Center today (and every Tuesday) after school?
• Did you know it is actually available to Seniors too!!  Don't be shy :)
• Have you ever been to the Academy Homework Center and, if so, what was your experience?
• Why would you go to the Academy Homework Center? Why would you not go?
• If you haven't been and don't plan to attend the Academy Homework Center, when do you complete school work outside of school?
• Do you have work that needs to be done outside of school?  Do you have any assignments right now that you are aware of that are due soon?

Thank you.  Remember - this should be completed in paragraph format.  

Monday 1/12

Good Morning and Happy Monday!!  As promised today we are going to watch a video.  It is called Cast Away -- seen it?  While watching the movie which I hope will prove fun and relaxing over the next few weeks, we are going to focus our attention on economic concepts we are discussing in class.  This isn't too easy at this point as we have only covered a few economic concepts. Those concepts include scarcity, the factors of production needs vs. wants and incentives/opportunity costs.  With that said, below are a few terms we are going to cover as a class as we get started.  Please write down a definition and example for your blog as part of your post for today.

• Terms:
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Consumer/Producer
• Incentive
• Utility of Resource

Okay ... now lets get started :)  Enjoy the movie!

Investing in the Stock Market - A Blog Post for 1/9

Good Morning!  It's Friday!!!

As I mentioned, this semester we will be switching it up quite a bit.  Monday's we will be focused on Current Event News, Documentary Videos and a variety of movies that will further our understanding of Economics.  Tuesdays will be dedicated to project based work.  For example, next Tuesday we will begin a project on the Factors of Production.  The first two Tuesdays will be dedicated to you doing some research and developing your ideas and the subsequent Tuesdays will be dedicated to presentations by your classmates.  After all of the presentations, we will move on to our next project!  Block days will be dedicated to learning about the fundamentals of Economics including Micro and Macro Economics!  Don't forget your textbooks ... and finally, Fridays are dedicated to Personal Finance.  Today we are going to begin that Personal Finance unite with an introduction to the stock market.  Needless to say, in order to truly get an idea of how a stock does in the market takes weeks, months or longer.  We will take 10 weeks to investigate a few stocks of your choice!!

With that said, welcome to what should be a very fun learning experience.  You are about to be given $6,000.00 to invest in the stock market! Can you believe it?  Through this process you will gain a sound understanding of the stock market and how to properly invest your money in order to make a profit; however, remember, investing money in real life is serious business and while many people have become rich investing, it has also resulted in many people getting into some serious financial trouble.

While we will be making some big decisions about investing our money in the coming week, today is all about feeling out the market and the various companies out there that you could potentially invest your money in.  As part of this project, I would recommend investing in a variety of companies so that you have a diversified portfolio of stocks!  After all, as the saying goes, we do not want to put all of our eggs in one basket!  

As we jump into this project, today will give you an opportunity to reflect on a few questions that relate to the stock market.  In addition to responding to the following questions on your blog, I would recommend keeping track of your responses in the GoogleDoc you started Tuesday.

For today's blog, please respond to the following:

• The first thing we need to determine is what a stock is! By purchasing stock, explain what you are in essence buying.
• Now make a list of 10 companies that you would, off the top of your head, be most interested in investing in! After you have compiled your list, take a moment to find the cost, per share, to purchase 1 share for each company. Also, place a + or – next to the cost to show whether the stock is currently up or down in today's trading.
• Check out a reliable stock market site (cnbc.com, yahoo finance, finance.google.com (my favorite) and find a few stocks that have recently been recommended. What did you find? Do you trust the “experts” and the suggestions that they are making? What process will you use to decide how to spend the money you will soon inherit?
• What is an "IPO" and can you name one local company that is currently going through this process? What does an IPO mean for a company and what pros and cons can you brainstorm about this process for a company. 
• If you were forced to right now purchase your first stock, which one would you choose? Provide background information about the company and take a moment to analyze its stock performance over the past year. (you can go beyond one year if you choose) Do you think this is a risky stock or no? Why?
• How many shares can you purchase (max $2,000) of your stock and how much money would be remaining?
• Why did you choose this specific company as a good start for your portfolio?
• What choices did you make in choosing this first stock? How did you justify those decisions? 

I know this is a lot but thank you for responding to each individual question thoroughly and thoughtfully!

Blog Post 1/7

Please assign the following title to this blog: Needs and Wants.

Please login to your google document from yesterday and copy the list that you made.  Paste the list into your blog for today.  For your blog today please do the following:

1. Be sure that your list contains a minimum of 10 things you either need, want or can't live without.
2. Use the highlighter and highlight all of your needs in one color and all of your wants in another color
3. Discuss the challenge in our society today in determining what our needs are vs. what our wants are.  What do people have to do when faced with unlimited want and limited resources?  Why are people affected by scarcity regardless of their income?  Would you agree with the statement that there is no such thing as a free lunch?

Please take a few minutes to thoroughly and thoughtfully respond to this post.  Each post this semester should contain 5-8 sentences.  It doesn't need to be a novel but it shouldn't be a fragment either!!  I hope you can appreciate that!

Happy New Year!!

Good Morning and Welcome Back!!

It is hard to believe that it has been over two weeks since we have been together!  I bet you missed me :)  In any case, I wanted to start off the morning with a quick recap of your break!  How was it?What did you do?  What was the highlight?  What is one reason you are excited to be back at school?

As a second part to today's post, as you know around the world as the New Year kicks off, people take an opportunity to examine themselves, their lifestyle and goals and are able to focus on how they would like to make a difference starting with yourself in the new year!  Did you make a New Years Resolution?  What are you committed to doing in your life in 2014 and how will it help you be happier, more successful, a better person, etc.  On a secondary level perhaps, what are some goals that you have set for yourself for the second half of the 2014 school year?  Perhaps bad habits you want to break, things you want to do better, goals you want to achieve, etc!  It's a new year, be realistic but dream big :)

Lets kick off the year right with a thorough thoughtful response addressing all parts of the prompt! Thank you and Happy New Year! :)