W a c h e c o n

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
      The Advanced Placement level Economics course is subdivided into two courses – AP Microeconomics in the first semester and AP Macroeconomics in the second semester.  This coincides with preparing students for the two separate AP Economics exams in the Spring.  The purpose of the first semester in AP Microeconomics is to provide a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets, and includes the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy.   The purpose of an AP semester in Macroeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. Such a course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economics performance measures, economics growth, and international economics.
    A course in AP Economics is challenging and stimulating, and compared to regular economics course, takes more time and requires more commitment. It also gives greater opportunity for individual progress and accomplishment, and goes into greater depth. The grade in this course is weighted to reflect the quality of work undertaken.  Students taking the AP level should possess strong organizational and time management skills, critical thinking skills, as well as a solid reading and writing ability.
 

II.  COURSE GOALS and WRHS  CORE VALUES
The overall course goals in A.P. Economics are threefold:

1. to introduce students to the field of microeconomics and macroeconomics.

2. to teach college-level economic concepts and analytical skills

3. to prepare students to perform well on the College Board AP Macro and Micro  Exams

 WRHS Core Values

 Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

 Creativity/Innovation

 Citizenship/Responsibility

 Communication

 Collaboration

 

Student Learning Expectations.   Students will . . .

• exercise responsible citizenship

• communicate effectively

• think critically and solve problems

• think creatively

• collaborate and learn actively

• use technology effectively

 

III. CLASS EXPECTATIONS & INDEPENDENT WORK 

Always keep in mind that at the Advanced Placement level not only has a weighted GPA, but also awards you potentially 3 college credits for this course if you get a 3-5 on the exam - the national average cost per credit in college is $594 - that translates to a subsidized college savings value of $1,782  to you on average.  If that is the case, you are expected to work consistently with a college-level expectation.  

 

Economics tends to be a more complex and strenuous type of course than what most high school students are accustomed to in the past.  It is therefore expected that AP students are willing to work hard through the concepts, utilize all avenues of resources and support, and commit to being as prepared as possible for the AP Exams in May.   The expectations and work associated with this course fall in-line with our school's "Common Core" principles and the College Board requirements.  It is the equivalent as well to Introductory Macroeconomics and Microeconomics courses taken in college.
 

IV. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS :

• WRHS issued Chrome Book or personal laptop with earbuds are expected in class each day. 

• ruler

• basic calculator

• graph paper notebook

V.  READING / MEDIA ASSIGNMENTS:
The AP course content will move at a very steady pace.  All students will be expected to keep up with their assignments and to demonstrate their preparedness by active involvement in class activities. To be adequately prepared for class, you must:
a. read/watch the assigned sources carefully;
b. TAKE NOTES on the assigned sources;
c.  organize and review your notebook for clarity;
d.  come into the next class meeting with questions of clarification. 

 
Students will be given an incredible amount of online resources, guides and notes for study.  This however should not dismiss the value of personalized note-taking on class instruction.  Students should complement their resources with personalized notes and examples taken from class meetings to create a well-rounded understanding of the concepts.  

 

Taking a picture of my notes on the board with your phone does not constitute "taking notes" and will negatively effect your class engagement grade.

 Students are expected to access the class website www.wachecon.com to complete online media assignments concerning current events in economics.  Streaming video clips are used as homework sources to complete written assignments worth quiz grades.  (Those with internet difficulties must report such issues in advance to the teacher for alternative approaches to these assignments.)  These assignments will be significant toward test preparation, and video assignments will usually be quizzed the next class meeting. 

VI.  WRITTEN HOMEWORK and CLASSWORK ASSIGNMENTS
  All written assignments  submitted as a hard copy will adhere to the following consistent criteria or will not be accepted for credit (exception 504?IEP accommodations):

1.  Full Name on top of assignment

2. Class Block on top 

3.  Name of the Assignment on top

4. Neat and legible.  If you have messy writing - type!

5.  For graphing problems - straight lines and  completely labeled.

  Teacher has the right to request a re-submission of an assignment if these criteria are not met
 
VII. CONTACT:
  Teacher Contact Procedure
      Parents and students needing to reach Mr. Magnani should do so via school e-mail Kevin_Magnani@wrsd.net .  Students should understand responses to questions may not be immediate during off-school hours, but all attempts will be made.   Students should always air in the side of responsibility and send an electronic copy of assignments if they know in advance that they will be absent from class in the upcoming days.
 

Extra Help:   Economics can be a very challenging set of concepts to master and like mathematics, each lesson's concepts build off of the student's understanding of the previous lessons learned in past units.  Therefore, it is strongly advised to seek extra help if a concept is not clear, as it will most likely be needed in future lessons.  Extra help is available by appointment only and students must ask to set up a time at least 1 day prior to allow me time to clear my schedule.  Students must come prepared to extra help sessions with organized questions and topics for which they need help.

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VIII.  CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT

At the AP level, being engaged actively in class lecture and discussion is expected.  You are receiving college level credits and selected this course as your elective.   Anyone who displays less than expected "AP level classroom decorum" (puts their head down, sleeps, or disrupts the class in any manner (phones, eating, talking, doing other course homework, etc.) during a class lesson will receive a zero for the day in class engagement and will require a conference with the instructor.  Be ready to learn!

 IX :  SUMMATIVE EVALUATIONS
     A.P. Students should be prepared for an in-class quiz of any past lesson from previous classes.  These quizzes may take the form of objective questions, or graphing concepts or team-oriented problem solving.  These quizzes need not be announced by the instructor, but students should expect one each time a new unit concept was taught or assigned as part of being prepared and active in class.

    Furthermore, each AP student must enroll is the new AP Central College Board review page for this course.  Directions and class code will be given in class.  Students will complete College Board Test Review assessments for each unit that will be graded.

 

A.P. students will be tested in class mainly by unit(s) rather than by chapters.  This means each in-class test will encompass more that one lesson worth of material (no more than three) and required solid preparation on the student's part.  Students can see the units on the detailed curriculum map online at  www.wachecon.com Students should anticipate approximately two or three unit tests per term.   Extra help for exams is always available by appointment.

X.  MIDYEAR / FINAL EXAM and COLLEGE BOARD EXAMS
The midterm exam will consist of an practice AP Macroeconomics exam from College Board, scored genuinely like the actual national May exam.  This is mandatory for all students and worth 10% of their overall grade for the year.  The Quarter 4 video project will serve as the final exam in the Spring.   Students with a 90+ average second semester will be exempt from the Quarter 4 project, so long as they have committed to taking the standardized College Board AP exams in May.
 

AP College Board Exams     It is expected that each student enrolled in AP Economics enters the course planning on taking the AP Macro and Micro exams in May.  This course is centered and structured around preparing students for these exams.  The additional time, workload, and preparation required by the students throughout this course would be fruitless if the student opts not to take these AP Exams.  If you have no intention of taking both exams in May, please reconsider taking this course!
 

XI.  PHONES AND DEVICES – Cell phones will be silenced and put away during class meeting unless I instruct or permit their use.  I will take your phone if you violate this policy and a zero will be given for engagement grade that day.  The same punishment holds true for students off-task on Chromebooks during class.  Repeat offenses will receive a conference with the teacher and administration, along with disciplinary actions.  

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X.  OTHER

WRHS Academic Integrity Policy
All students’ academic work must reflect their own honest efforts. Cheating and plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to copying homework, papers, lab reports, or quiz or test answers; acquiring or disseminating quizzes or tests before they are administered; or using information from the Internet or other outside sources without proper attribution.  Any student known to have cheated will be subjected to penalties, up to receiving “0” for the work. Possible penalties will be made known to each class by the teacher and will be included in the course syllabus.

Students who collaborate with others in cheating by allowing their papers to be copied or by other means will be subjected to penalties commensurate with their involvement, which may include the student receiving “0” for the work or suffering significant grade reduction.

In all cases, the principal or the class administrator along with the department head and teacher will be informed about both the incident and the penalty imposed, and the parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified. The administration reserves the right to impose other penalties up to and including removal from the course, removal from honor societies, and loss of eligibility for scholarships with “honor” as criteria. 

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