Personal Finance Classroom Rules

The “Four B’s”

Be Better: The school has a list of rules that you must follow (read the Student Handbook), but in this class you must do better than that. When in doubt about how to act, use the Golden Rule.  Demonstrating good behavior is always better than avoiding bad behavior. 

Be Prepared: Write all assignments down, including the due date.  Bring assigned materials to class daily. Materials always include your workbooks, a three-ring binder with plenty of notebook paper, and a dark blue or black pen.  Occasionally other materials are listed as part of your homework assignment. Assignments and tests must be completed with a blue or black pen. Unless Scantrons are used, pencils are NOT accepted.

Be Prompt: Be in your seat when the bell rings. Have your notebook open to the bell work assignment. You are tardy if there is space between your seat and the desk when the bell rings. Complete and turn in all assigned work on time. Late assignments are not accepted.

Be Polite: Be quiet and attentive when the bell rings, when the teacher is talking, and while waiting for permission to speak.  Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before asking or answering questions.  Remain seated unless given permission to do otherwise.  Use voices that cannot be heard outside your group during group work.  Go out of your way to be respectful and polite to everyone in the classroom. The following are examples of impolite behaviors and are not tolerated in the classroom: eating, drinking, chewing gum, sleeping, talking without permission, and loudly dropping books on the floor.

Classroom Procedures

(1) Follow the four B’s.  Read them often.  Live them daily.

(2) Classwork includes completing worksheets, taking notes, working independently on exercises, and participating in group activities. Some classwork will be taken up for a grade and may count between 10 and 50 points. Classwork assignments cannot be made up. If a student has an excused absence on the date classwork is assigned, no grade will be recorded for that student. Of course, unexcused absences result in a grade of zero.

(3) Homework includes reading assignments and written assignments on occasion. Much of the homework for this class will involve a computer. Unless stated otherwise, the homework is due the next day. Some homework will be taken up for a grade of ten points. Other homework assignments will not count for a grade but will be used to assist in classroom instruction.

(4) Late assignments are not accepted. A zero is recorded for any assignment not turned in on time. Portfolios are due on the date announced in advance. It is recommended that students not in school on the portfolio due date send the project to school with a friend or parent. Homework should be completed at home. No time will be given at the beginning of class to complete or assemble homework assignments.

(5) Theme tests have a variety of formats but usually include multiple choice, matching, short answer, and at least one short essay. Theme tests are worth between 50 and 100 points, depending on the amount of material covered in that theme.

(6) A Portfolio is required of each student. Throughout the semester, students are required to complete portfolio entries that are graded for accuracy and returned to students. All portfolio entries must be corrected and then turned in at the end of the semester as a completed portfolio of personal finance documents. The final, corrected portfolio is worth 300 points and makes up a significant portion of a students' grade.

(7) Make-up tests must be taken during the scheduled department make up times. They are administered on Tuesdays before school (6:15am) and Thursdays after school (2:00pm).  Only students with excused absences on test days are able to take make-up tests.  No reminder will be given to students who have to make up a test. It is YOUR responsibility to arrange to make up a test. A single Tuesday and Thursday is allotted for students to arrange to make up tests. Parents should contact the school if the test make up time is not workable for a particular student. A written note signed by a parent explaining the conflict is acceptable. This note must be given to me BEFORE the second make up test date. If a student fails to make up a test on the dates allotted, the grade becomes a zero. All make-up tests are full essay tests. There are no make up tests for make up tests.

(8) Group work is a large part of the instruction in this class.  Groups are assigned and change occasionally.  Roles are assigned and change often. Each member of a group is important, and the quality of the work done in a group contributes to your success on both written assignments and tests. Group activities that require class presentations count between 20 and 50 points. 

(9) Grades are calculated on a total point basis. Students and parents are encouraged to check grades often to monitor progress and verify accuracy.

(11) When tardy, sign the tardy log and quietly take your seat. Assignments are posted by week in the assignment notebook.  They are also posted on the web site.  If absent, refer to the web site, assignment notebook or call a classmate.  Missed assignments are due one day after your return to class. A zero will be recorded in the grade book until the student has made up and turned in the missed assignment. 

(12) Ask for help. I am available for tutoring after school on Tuesdays. No appointment is necessary.   Do not hesitate to ask for help on any of the material, including written assignments. Many students make use of email to get answers to questions after school hours. I welcome student emails and try to check my email each evening before 9:00pm.

(13) Classroom procedures include the consequences for breaking school rules.  The first offense receives a reminder of the appropriate behavior. The second offense receives a verbal warning and a phone call to parents.  The third offense receives a disciplinary referral.