Today we will be creating a portfolio cover page.  As I have said, you probably won't be leaving your portfolio with prospective employers [if you do, keep a backup of everything] but a cover page will keep your portfolio looking professional.

Requirements for the cover page:

• NAME (all caps)
• EMPLOYMENT PORTFOLIO (all caps)
• e-mail address (something appropriate... not underlined)
• Date (i.e. February 26th, 2010) -- You can update this as you update your portfolio
• Font and size may vary depending on your own personal style

I will be returning your résumé to you today.  Make needed corrections and put your updated copy in your portfolio.

Also, make sure you are uploading all of your documents (résumé, cover letters, etc.) to Google Documents and/or emailing them to yourself.  This makes it a LOT more convenient in the future when you need to apply for a position.

Finally, use extra time to complete any missing assignments (i.e. the 5 letters we did this week) and pick up any graded assignments from the basket on the counter.

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.

During the next two weeks we will be working through the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program workbook.  This is a good, rounded introduction to personal finance for young people.  It covers topics such as financial planning, budgeting, investing, credit, insurance, and your career.  We will be working through the book, doing some basic homework (mostly involving keeping track of spending, researching prices of items, interviewing friends or family, etc.), and then working on some financial simulations.

We will also continue working on typing during this time.  I expect everybody to spend 10 minutes at the beginning of the period working on "Measurement Writing" exercises in the MicroType Pro program.  I will begin administering typing tests very soon.