american government/economics class
with current events and personal finance
This class covers one semester each of American Government and Economics*, though taught as an integrated subject rather than by semester. The class focuses on both individual and group project work complimenting textbook material and has strong current events and personal finance components. Textbooks are used as reference material only. In addition to a handful of quizzes and one final exam, grades are based highly on project work and simulation participation. Many projects involve a daily time commitment and require internet access. Group project work may require outside class time meetings to be scheduled by the group. Portions of this class are conducted solely online (including lessons, videos, worksheets, and quizzes). Recommended for juniors and seniors.
Please note: A $25 simulation fee for Budget Challenge must be paid once our class simulation date has been confirmed. This fee is to be paid directly to Budget Challenge by the parent and is separate from the class fee.
From the Budget Challenge website:
Budget Challenge® is a personal finance simulation that teaches teens money management skills. During the 10-week competition, students receive virtual paychecks and bills in real-time and are challenged to build a budget and make financial decisions that help them learn how to pay bills on time, manage a credit card balance, and save money for retirement in a 401(k).
Required materials:
Regular and reliable internet access
A laptop, tablet, or similar device with wireless capability to be brought to class (please note this is a required element of the class - every student will need their own device in class)
Projects include:
Weekly News Team presentations
American Government “catechism” memorization
Group Utopia Project
Moot Court simulation
Congressional simulation
Multimedia presentations
Online Budget Challenge simulation game
Online Stock Market simulation game
Media Analysis Project
*Due to the number of oral presentations students will be giving throughout the year, this class could also count as a semester of Speech.