Ohio Minimum Wage

This article is due Friday, December 9th.

Read this article about Minimum Wage in Ohio.  What is your opinion about whether this will really help??  How will it help you and your household?

Groceries Costing More and More

Due: Dec. 2nd
We have talked about prices increasing on food like peanut butter, but we have not looked at the grocery store overall. Have you noticed an overall increase in foods at the store? What about when you go out to eat? Have you noticed a difference between sit-down restaurants and fast food ones? How will this effect your family?

Thank you to our judge, Jen Stamper-- Click to see her website

We Ain't Payin' Nothing

Bills on Bills on Bills

1st Period Winner

Get Them While They're Young

DUE NOV. 18th

Is this something you have thought of before? Would you like to invest for the future? How has your experience in the Stock Market Game affected your opinion on investing in real life? 

Enough! Planning for College

Due Date:  November 11

Read this article and then comment on your plans after high school. What is more important to you right now: attending a prestigious university or graduating virtually debt free? Explain.

Is Halloween the New Christmas

This Article is DUE: NOV. 4th


Which Holiday do you prefer? Do you like Halloween because it is all about you? You are getting stuff rather than giving stuff? How much did you spend on Halloween this year? Was it more than you had previously spent? Was it worth it?

The Holiday Season: How Much Do People Spend?

Read the article above about spending for the holiday season.  Summarize your thoughts.  

This article is due October 28th

NBA - New League???

Read this article about the near future of the NBA.  What are your thoughts about this event.

This article is due October 21, 2010.

Wall Street Protests

Much has been said and written in the last few weeks about a protest that started in NYC..... read this article and write about the following.

• Do you agree with this movement?
• If given the opportunity is this a movement that you would want to join?  Why?
• If you do not agree with this movement explain, why?

Due Date- October 14th.

Saturday School

What is your opinion about China's educational system, Saturday school plan, in comparison to the United States?  How do you believe a 4 day school week would impact education?  Discuss the impact  on education if we added Saturday school?

This article is due October 7th. 

Is Cursive Writing a Skill Your Generation Needs?

Read this article about cursive writing.   The article points out arguments from both sides about this skill and its importance.  What are your thoughts?  Do people in today's world need this skill? or do you support the philosophy that this is a skill that just needs to fade away?

This article is due, September 30th.

Your Television Is Watching You???

How much information do you want advertisers to have about you? What are the benefits and drawbacks for you of making that information available? How might the information benefit advertisers?

International trade: Absolute and comparative advantage

Extra Help

International trade: Absolute and comparative advantage

Extra Help

Lisa Rowland - Junior Achievement Economics: "How Stores Lead You To Spend"

If i was a store owner I would do the same thing because if it makes me money. If thats the only thing to do to get people in the door i would do it. They start off by looking at the cheap stuff for someone else then they see the nice expensive stuff and they just have to have it. Thats a brilliant idea.

If i was a store owner I would do the same thing because if it makes me money. If thats the only thing to do to get people in the door i would do it. They start off by looking at the cheap stuff for someone else then they see the nice expensive stuff and they just have to have it. Thats a brilliant idea.

"How Stores Lead You To Spend"

Wall Street Journal, recently posted this article about strategies used by stores to get us to spend our money.  Do you think these strategies work?  Which strategies work most on you?  Do you think its fair they use these strategies?  Would you use these type of strategies if you had your own business.


This article is due Friday, September 16th.

Music Festivals Take Center Stage

The Wall Street Journal recently posted this article about the music industry.  Read this article and answer the following.

Describe your usage and buying habits from the music industry.  Have you attended any concerts this year?  If yes, explain what you attended..... was it one band or several.  Why did you choose to attend that concert?  Was the concert worth the cost?   Second, if you have not attended any concerts explain why... costs? don't like concerts? other?  Third, discuss do you listen to the radio for music, Pandora, pay to upload songs? buy CD's? Buy vinyl records?  Share with friends?   Fourth-- have you attended a music festival?  If so, what? What were you thoughts about attending that versus a single concert?
What trend does the article see happening in the music industry and how do you believe that might impact you?


Due September 9th

September 2nd Article: "Creating Your Own Job"

Click on the title above and you will find an article about a few students your age that have taken creating a job into their own hands.   Wall Street Journal Student Edition outlines their stories.  Read the article and choose at least one of the following to discuss.  A.  Do you know a high school student that has started their own business?  If so, what was the business idea?  To your knowledge have they been successful?  B.  Discuss whether or not you have found a job this summer or not?  Has the slow economy impacted your desire and ability to find a job?  C. Which story from the article did you find the most interesting?  and Why?  D.  Do you know someone that started their own business?  If so, what was it?

Due date for this article is September 2nd.  Article number 2.

Growing Risk of "Another" Recession

Just when we had hope that we wouldn't have to hear the term recession for a few years........ hmmm, well it appears that the term is back.  Read this article to find out what the experts are talking about.  Why do economists believe that we could be heading into another recession?  What specifically do they list as possible factors?  What is your opinion of this article and its contents? and how might this impact you and your family or town?

This article is due, August 26th.

Welcome Back: School Year 2011-2012

Welcome Back.  We may have just returned from break, but by no means was it a peaceful summer for our government and economy.  In order for us to discuss and understand what is Economics and how it relates to you and your life, we must include current events.  This blog will allow me to post weekly articles that I believe represents units we are or will be covering.  So, when each of you ask yourself, "why do I need to take this class?"..... let's just say that you will quickly see that this class is not about a textbook-- this class is about your everyday life.  So let's get started.

  Each of you have received directions concerning the blog, but let's review the main points.  1.  Must read and post about one article per week.   2. Due date is Friday of each week.  Unless we are off for a holiday, then it is due the last school day of that week.  3.  If you for some reason do not get the article posted by the due date-- you have one week to catch up for reduced points.  Every day they are late-- the reduction increases.  4.  Not completing weekly articles will hurt your grade!!  5.  Must use appropriate language and comments on all blog posts-- keep in mind that they world can ready your comment-- but the world can NOT contact you directly.  6.  Each of you will record your log in information to be kept in a protected binder by the teacher-- just in case you might forget your sign in information and trust me-- lots of people do forget it.  7.  You will need to use a gmail email account and you must be invited to join the blog.  This will be explained in class.  8.  IF your parents are opposed to you posting online, please see me for an alternative way to complete the assignment.  9.  Doing these articles are not optional-- they are a must in order to be successful in this course. 

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/100874

The Unemployment Game Show: Are You *Really* Unemployed? from Mint.com

Use this video as another review about people that are counted or not counted as unemployed.

Undercounting Unemployment, Part 1

Watch and use part 1 and 2 of Undercounting Unemployment to complete the chart in class about U3, U4, U5 and U6.

Quiz in class will follow.

Undercounting Unemployment, Part 2

Game Board Rubric

Making A Game : Econ Board Game
Teacher Name: Mrs. Rowland
Student Name:     ________________________________________
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Knowledge Gained	All students in group could easily and correctly state several facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.	All students in the group could easily and correctly state 1-2 facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.	Most students in the group could easily and correctly state 1-2 facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.	Several students in the group could NOT correctly state facts about the topic used for the game without looking at the game.
Accuracy of Content	All information cards made for the game are correct.	All but one of the information cards made for the game are correct.	All but two of the information cards made for the game are correct.	Several information cards made for the game are not accurate.
Attractiveness	Contrasting colors and many graphics were used to give the cards and gameboard visual appeal.	Contrasting colors and some graphics were used to give the cards and gameboard visual appeal.	Contrasting colors and very few graphics were used to give the cards and gameboard visual appeal.	Little or no color or graphics.
Cooperative work	The group worked well together with all members contributing significant amounts of quality work.	The group generally worked well together with all members contributing some quality work.	The group worked fairly well together with all members contributing some work.	The group often did not work well together and the game appeared to be the work of only 1-2 students in the group.
Creativity	The group put a lot of thought into making the game interesting and fun to play as shown by creative questions, game pieces and/or game board.	The group put some thought into making the game interesting and fun to play by using textures, fancy writing, and/or interesting characters.	The group tried to make the game interesting and fun, but some of the things made it harder to understand/enjoy the game.	Little thought was put into making the game interesting or fun.
Rules	Rules were written clearly enough that all could easily participate.	Rules were written, but one part of the game needed slightly more explanation.	Rules were written, but people had some difficulty figuring out the game.	The rules were not written.
Date Created: Apr 19, 2011 03:51 pm (UTC)

Directions on Game Board

Creating your own economic board game

Theme

·      Do you want to create your own theme or model your game after an existing one?        

o   If creating your own theme, do you want a game of skill or one where you rely on chance while following a path?

·      Decide which economic area you would like to cover.

o   Reference your book for subject ideas

o   Ex. The stock market, economic indicators, etc.

·      Give your game a general theme

o   You can model your game after your interests

§  For example, create a music, sports or zombie themed game!

Rules and Directions

·      Try to keep the rules simple and easy to understand for new players

·      Rules to keep in mind:

o   The object of the game

o   How to set the game up initially

o   What equipment is needed to play the game

o   The minimum and maximum amount of players allowed

o   How to play the game

o   How to win the game

·      The game must be age appropriate; designed for high school students

Sketching a Rough Draft of your Game Board

·      At this stage, determine how much or how little detail you want to include on your board

·      Sketch your board design on paper first

·      If you’re making a path game, create a clear path with a start and a finish

·      Decorate your board

o   Color and design your own images or get them off of the internet

Creating your Game Board and Game Pieces

·      Use sturdy material such as cardboard when constructing your final game board

·      Create your own game pieces or use pieces from an existing game

You will be working in groups of three and presenting your game to the class.

Your completed project is due: May 13^th

See the attached rubric grading.

In Plain English

The Fed Today

If you missed this video-- the quiz in class on Friday will be based on this video and worksheet that we completed in class.

Social Networking? Help!!!

I'm betting most of us in this room have a Facebook account..........am I right?  Read this article and read what some people are having to do due to their use of social networking.
This is your final article - Due date May 16th.

Age of America End Near?

Read this article that includes a prediction in what to expect by 2016.   What are you thoughts?
This article is due for May 9.

Credit Cards : Things to Know

Read this article about credit cards and respond.  This article is for May 2nd. 

AP Macroeconomics Review - Every Graph You Need To Know For The Exam!

Economic Indicator-- Prices

Read this article which includes discussion of some current economic indicators.  Discuss the article and post your thoughts.  This article is for April 18th.

What makes up the price of U.S. gasoline?

What makes up the price of U.S. gasoline?

Read this article about gas prices to see how prices are determined.  Please comment on article for article due for April 11th.

Should We Pay Mommies and Daddies to be Better Parents?

Read this article from aolnews and comment on your opinion?  Is this a good idea or not?  This article is for March 28th.

End of credit card stripe??

Read this article about credit cards and respond.  This article is for March 21st.

Average American Income

This article discusses the Average American Income.    Read each category.  Does this surprise you?
This article is for March 14th.

Do We Need Unions? Yes?

Read this article about unions.  This article is pro union.  If you agree with this article place your thoughts under comments on this post.  This article is due March 7.

Do We Need Unions? No?

Read this article from Newsweek and the article above.  Respond under the article/position that you most support.  This article is due on March 7th.

Oil Prices

Read this article and comment on why oil prices are climbing and give your opinion on the article.  This article is for February 28th

Vinyl or Digital

Read article and respond about the future of music?  What is the current condition and what do you believe will happen?  This article is for February 28th

Alex Combs - The Mind Is An Odd Place (original)

From Candy to cashmere-- prices rising

This article is for February 21st.  Read and post your thoughts.

join stock game

http://www.howthemarketworks.com/stock-market-game/join-a-contest

Valentine's Day- It's the dollar that matters????

Who's Spending the Money on the Super Bowl?

Read this article and comment about how economics impacts the Super Bowl.

This article is due, February 11- Friday.

Scarcity in Egypt

How is the uprising in Egypt impacting their economy and the people?  This article is due Friday,  February 4th.

The 2011 State of the Union Address: Enhanced Version

State of Union Transcript 2011

State of the Union Address : President Obama 2011

Credit Cards On Their Way Out?

Read this article and discuss why they believe credit cards are on their way out.  What do they believe will replace them and how do you feel about this.  This article will count for January 24th, however, since we had snow days the actual due date will be January 21st.

What could cause the next Recession?

Read this article and post your comment for January 18th.  

Album Sales

Read this article and comment on what is happening to Album Sales.  Why is this happening?  What is your opinion about this?