Again we have several things to get done:

• First, we need to do your "Well Baby Checkup".  Bring your baby to me with your paper for me to initial.
• Tomorrow is "Picture Day".  I will take a picture of you with your baby and then post them on a web page for you to include in your "baby blog" on Friday.

• Next, you need to work on MicroType Pro (Lesson E Measurement Writing -- see picture below).  When you have a score (with 2 errors or less) show it to me and I will write it down for todays typing grade.  If you increase your speed and/or accuracy, show me your updated score.  You will have a typing grade for Monday, today, Thursday, and Friday.

• Add a new post to your "baby blog" answering these questions: "What has been the reaction to your baby so far at home or school?"  "Have you taken your baby out in public (i.e. shopping, restaurant, etc.) -- if so, what was the reaction?"

Today we have several things to get done:

• First, we need to do your "Well Baby Checkup".  Today I will sign your baby, sign your "Well Baby" form, take your baby's picture, and give you any last-minute guidance for the project.
• Next, you need to work on MicroType Pro (Lesson A Measurement Writing -- see picture below).  When you have a score (with 2 errors or less) show it to me and I will write it down for todays typing grade.  If you increase your speed and/or accuracy, show me your updated score.  You will have a typing grade for today, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

• Add a new post to your "baby blog" answering the following questions: How do you feel about having to do the baby project?  What do you think you will learn with this project?  Were there any difficulties getting started?  If you were the teacher, what would you have done different before we started?

• We have a Guest Speaker from Academy of Art University coming tomorrow (Tuesday).  They have courses in Art, Architecture, Fashion, Game Design, Motion Pictures, Multimedia, Music, Photography, and Web Design.
• Finally, a brief word about "Guest Speaker Etiquette".  I am grateful when a guest speaker is willing to come all the way to Lake County to visit our school.  Although I am pretty easy-going on a regular day, I expect polite, respectful behavior when I have a guest speaker
• Keep computers off.
• Do not make random or off-topic comments.
• Do not ask random or off-topic questions.
• Be quiet when he/she is speaking or presenting material.
• Be interested -- or at least act like you are.
• Failure to follow these rules will result in a lower grade and a loss of privileges.

Your assignment is to bring in a 5 lb. "sack" of sugar or flour for our "baby project".  Checking prices at various grocery stores around the area, I see that flour and sugar are both approximately $2.39.  I recommend you find a sack that is tightly sealed and not leaking.  On Monday we will begin decorating our "babies" and I will be signing each one to verify that each remains intact.

You also need to bring some sort of carrier (basket, car seat, sling, etc.) before Monday, 3/29 to transport your "baby".

You may also want to find a picture of a baby's face from a magazine, newspaper, or the Internet to paste on your flour bag (see photo for example).

Let me know if you have ANY questions before Friday.

Today we begin our second "month" of transactions.  We have many more checks to write, more ATM transactions to register, and more real-world transactions to simulate.  It should be fun.

Remember, if you're confused then you're probably doing it correctly.  The confusion generally comes because you care about getting this done accurately.  It's good to work through the confusion and nervousness when it's not your [or even real] money -- because eventually it will be.

Let me know if I can help you through any of the confusing parts.

Today we will be balancing our checkbook by using our monthly bank statement to "reconcile" the amounts in our check register.  We will also be completing an application for a used car and working through a quick budget worksheet to see if we can afford the car. 

Try to get your accounts balanced and reconciled because we begin the next months transactions tomorrow.

Hi Everybody! Unfortunately my illness finally got the better of me and I am home sick today. I expect my students to treat my substitutes with respect.  I don't want to hear a bad report from Ms. Pilqer.

What I would like you to do today is:

• Check your stocks at Virtual Stock Exchange.
• Complete your 1st months checking transactions.
• Compare your check register and balances with others.
• Work on your typing / practice for upcoming typing certification.

Before we begin todays assignment, we need to have a discussion about classroom etiquette and what my expectations are for the rest of this school year.

Before we begin, take a moment to check your "Stock Portfolio" at the Virtual Stock Exchange.

Today we will be taking a closer look at investing principles and making your money work for you.

• View Video: How the Stock Market Works
• Class Discussion: How do events and stories in the news affect the stock market.
• Discuss the importance of "making money while you sleep".
• Get out your NEFE (Finance) book and turn to page 27: Unit Three - Investing: Making Money Work for You
  • Read pages 27-29
  • Read & Discuss page 30: The Time Value of Money and The Power of Compounding

Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, we are going to start the Checking Account project on Monday.  Instead, we will today look at investing -- specifically the stock market.

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Scenario:  Your eccentric "Uncle Hoot" left you $100,000 in his "Last Will and Testament" -- the only catch is that you have to invest it all in a U.S. Stock Market and you can't check it out until June 1st. 

In order to get started, you need to sign up for an account at the Virtual Stock Market.  Just click on "Please Register" and then fill in the blanks (you can use your KHS gmail if you would like).  Then click on "Continue".   Next you need to join our class game -- in the box that says "Enter the Game ID below" type in KHSGriff (exactly as it looks) and press ENTER (or click the little orange triangle).  In the screen that opens up where it says, "This is a Private Game. Enter Game Password" go ahead and put in knights as the password.

[Note: The person who manages to make the most on their stock market portfolio will win a prize and a certificate at the conclusion of the challenge on June 1st.]

After we are signed up for the account, we will discuss how the Stock Market works and the principles of investing.

Here's an interesting old cartoon explaining how the Stock Market works.

Congratulations!  You got the job at Griffith Enterprises!

You need to complete a W4 Form before you can start working.  Work through the W4 that I give you in class (if you need a copy you can get one from the IRS here) and place the completed page in your envelope.

Next, complete the Checking Account Application that I give you in class.  If you need to come back to this later (or if you were absent when we did the lesson) you can get a copy here.  We will walk through what some of these questions mean, so if you don't understand something on the form please leave those questions blank until we talk them over.

Make sure your Résumé and cover letter are finished and in your envelope.

Next, go to KHS Daily Bulletin and look over some of the MANY scholarships that are currently available.

When you have completed the activities above, please practice your typing.  I really want to be able to certify each of you with a high score.  You MUST have 30 wpm [or more] with a 97% accuracy [or more] to get a certificate.  If you would like to come in during lunch or before/after school to practice, please let me know.

Today we will begin working on our Banking Simulation by applying for a job:

• You are applying for an entry-level position as a [you decide the job] at Griffith Enterprises -- one of the most prestigious companies in the county.  The position pays $2000 per month and you will be paid twice per month ($1000 on the 1st and $1000 on the 15th).  
• Complete the Employment Application form that I will pass out in class.  You can also download a copy of the application here if you need one.
• Include a Résumé highlighting skills that will reflect this new position..
• Write a Letter of Application / Cover Letter to accompany your résumé.  Details for the letter are: Griffith Enterprises, 5480 Main Street, Kelseyville, California 95451.  (707) 279-4923.  The head of personnel is Robert Griffith.
• Place your application, resume, and cover letter in your large envelope [that I will pass out].
• Write your name on the top-front of your envelope and put your envelope in the black basket on the shelf.

Note:  If you are not able to print, make sure you save your documents to a USB drive or email them to yourself so you can print from another computer.  You MUST print these for the simulation.

First, spend 10 minutes working on your typing.  The typing test will be at the end of the 3rd Quarter, so get that speed up for your Typing Certificate.

Next we are going to do a quick simulation of writing checks and using a check register.  I will be passing out a worksheet with three checks and a register (you can view a copy here: Checks with Register).  Use the following scenario to complete your worksheet:

• You begin with $135.72 in your checking account.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 from your work and Deposit it to your checking account on 3/1/10.
• Write a Check for your rent on 3/1/10 for $525 to Kelseyville Green Apartments.
• You go to dinner at Lyndall's on 3/5/10 for $18.27 and use your Debit Card.
• You send a Check to John Smith in the amount of $31.19 on 3/12/10 for a movie you bought on eBay.
• You receive a Check for $550.00 on 3/15/10 from your work and you Deposit it to your checking account.
• You write a Check for your car payment on 3/16/10 in the amount of $224.72.
• You use Online Banking to pay $124.25 for your PG&E bill.

Compare your ending balance with a neighbors to verify your accuracy.