Course Syllabus

Welcome to Financial Literacy! 

 

Mission Statement:  “Preparing tomorrow’s leaders today”

Teacher:                  Melanie Boatner

Phone:                     (706) 569-3638 Ext 138

E-mail:                     Boatner.Melanie.R@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Financial Literacy is the second course in the Business Accounting pathway. The end of pathway assessment used for this pathway is NOCTI Business Financial Management.

Course Overview: How money smart are you? Step into this course specifically designed for high schools students to understand the importance of the financial world, including planning and managing money wisely. Areas of study taught through application in personal finance include sources of income, budgeting, banking, consumer credit, credit laws and rights, personal bankruptcy, insurance, spending, taxes, investment strategies, savings accounts, mutual funds and the stock market, buying a vehicle, and living independently. Based on hands-on skills and knowledge applied in this course, students will develop financial goals, and create realistic and measurable objectives to be MONEY SMART! Through project-based learning activities and tasks, students will apply mathematical concepts in realistic scenarios and will actively engage by applying the mathematics necessary to make informed decisions related to personal finance. Financial Literacy places great emphasis on problem solving, reasoning, representing, connecting and communicating financial data.

Instructional Methods: Students will be expected to meet all the course goals and demonstrate the understanding of the course concepts through project-based activities. Curriculum will include but not be limited to Chad Foster's Financial Literacy for Teens, Dave Ramsey's Foundations of Personal Finance high school digital curriculum and the H&R Block Budget Challenge. The teacher will perform lecture demonstrations along with group discussions and projects. Some assignments will require student research through the Internet. Students will work both independently and in teams to complete various assignments. Students will be required to draw upon academic skills in math, science, social studies, and language arts. Students will be given the opportunity to confer with business professionals from the community to gain information for some course content.

Sequence of courses for Business Accounting Pathway

1. Introduction to Business and Technology     2. Financial Literacy      3. Accounting 1

Topics Covered in Class: Having knowledge of how money works at a young age will help you make better decisions when the time comes in the future. The more you know of money now, the less risk there is of experiencing financial disaster or bankruptcy in the future. In this course we will cover the following topics:

FIN-FL-1 Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.

FIN-FL-2 Identify various forms of income, and analyze and evaluate factors that affect income as part of the career decision-making process.

FIN-FL-3 Analyze taxes in the United States and evaluate the effect on personal income.

FIN-FL-4 Develop and evaluate a spending and savings plan while applying rational decision making to personal spending and saving choices. 

FIN-FL-5 Analyze checking accounts and other banking services and explain how financial institutions channel funds from savers to investors. 

FIN-FL-6 Analyze factors that affect the choice of credit, the cost of credit and the legal aspects of using credit. 

FIN-FL-7 Evaluate savings and investment options to meet short- and long-term goals. 

FIN-FL-8 Analyze laws and options available to consumers for protection from deceptive or unfair business practice. 

FIN-FL-9 Evaluate how to help deter, detect, and defend against identity theft. 

FIN-FL-10 Evaluate various consumer loan options and analyze factors that affect lending decisions. 

FIN-FL-11 Explain the principles of risk management and insurance as a strategy to protect against financial loss.  

FIN-FL-12 Explore how related student organizations are integral parts of career and technology education courses through leadership development, school and community service projects, entrepreneurship development, and competitive events.

Assignments

• Classwork will be assigned and checked on a regular basis. Weekly agendas can be found in the "Pages" section of this website. 
• In-class assignments are due during the class period unless otherwise indicated.
• If the student is absent on the due date of an assignment, the assignment is due on the day of their return. If the student is absent on the day of a test/quiz, the student will be expected to take the test/quiz on the day of their return.

Grading & Late Work Policy

• All work will be turned in on-time on the due date as indicated in Canvas or Infinite Campus unless student is absent excused. Late work will not be accepted for unexcused absences. 

Make-Up Work: 

• In the event of an excused absence, students have three (3) days to make up missing work. This includes school sponsored events such as field trips and athletic events.

Academic detention may be assigned to students with failing grades in Financial Literacy. Detention may be time spent after school or during Saturday School. Notice of academic detention will be provided no less than 24 hours in advance. 

Students who score below 70% on tests and quizzes may complete quiz corrections to earn back 1/2 credit. Corrections must be handwritten and legible. Proper spelling, grammar and punctuation rules apply.  Instructions: 

1. Using lined paper, write the question missed. 
2. Write the correct answer.
3. Write a rationalization as to why the answer is correct.
4. Quiz corrections are due within 24 hours of quiz administration.

Behavior Expectations/Work Ethics

• Attend class and arrive on time.
• Display loyalty, honesty, self discipline and responsibility.
• Take care of equipment by keeping work area and computer clean and free of marks, writing and dust.
• Cell phones, head phones, earbuds, and electronic games are not allowed on campus. If found these items will be given to the school discipline officer.
• Demonstrate positive attitude and good work ethic.
• Do not engage in any harassment of any kind.
• Sit in your assigned seat. You must have permission from the teacher to leave your seat.
• The teacher dismisses the class not the bell. Remain in your seat until you are told to leave.
• Show respect for your classmates and teacher.
• Dress according to the dress code described in the student handbook.

Attendance

Regular daily attendance is of utmost importance to success in this course and is a life skill in the working world! If a student must be absent, remember that class continues. Accordingly, it is the student’s responsibility to find out the work that he or she has missed. Any work missed with an excused absence must be made up within three (3) school days. Work missed because of an unexcused absence or home suspension will result in a grade of zero (school policy).

 Restroom Policy  

Students will be given emergency restrooms passes for the each nine week period. DO NOT ASK FOR A PASS TO A STUDENT LOCKER!! Passes are non-transferrable. If you do not have your assigned passes when you ask to leave class you will not be allowed to leave: you should come to class prepared each and every day. Passes not used at the end of the nine-week grading period may be redeemed for items as specified by Mrs. Boatner (extra credit may or may not be included).

Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and excellence. Not only does academic honesty preserve the integrity of both the student and the school, but it is also essential in gaining a true education. Students pledge that they will not lie, cheat, plagiarize, or steal in the pursuit of his or her studies and are encouraged to report those who do. Students found cheating on classroom assignments will receive a zero on the work; this includes all parties involved.