To the guardian(s) of my newest student, ____________________________:

I am extremely excited to have your son or daughter in my class for the upcoming semester.
As has been my policy in years past, I ask that my students and their guardians review my
classroom rules and expectations prior to instruction so as to avoid any confusion throughout the
year. Also, in an effort to promote the democratic principles discussed in my social studies
classes, I have provided an empty space at the conclusion of this document where guardians and
students can put forth questions, comments, concerns, or recommendations regarding this code
of conduct. All recommendations will be thoroughly considered. If you desire to contact me at
any point throughout the semester, my email address is robertmorrissey@u-46.org.

Looking forward to a great year!

Robert J. Morrissey Jr.

Social Studies Teacher

Course Title: Introduction to Economics

Instructor: Mr. Morrissey
Email: robertmorrissey@u-46.org
Classroom: C319
Class Website: morrisseyecon.weebly.com
Free Periods: 1, 7

Lunch Period: 3

Course Length: One semester

Course Description: Economics is the social science that concerns itself with the study of
production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics is a semester
course required for graduation and offered in the senior year. It is designed to familiarize
students with basic economic concepts, the American economy, capitalistic system, and the
business cycle. The attempt to satisfy man's unlimited wants with limited resources is explored
and discussed. Practical study is directed toward understanding consumer problems such as
use of credit, savings and investment, insurance, taxation, and money management. A balance
is sought between economic theory and consumer-oriented economics to comply with state
mandated study of consumer economics.
Tentative Curriculum Overview:
Unit 1 Intro to Economics
Scarcity & Choice
Production Possibilities
Opportunity Cost
Economic Systems

Unit 3 Macroeconomics
Money & Banking
GDP & Growth
Economic Challenges
Monetary & Fiscal Policy

Unit 2 Microeconomics
Demand
Supply
Market Equilibrium
Market Structures

Unit 4 Personal Finance

Saving & Budgeting
Credit & Debt
Personal Banking & Security
Making Large Purchases
**NOTE: Units and Concepts are subject to change based on
teacher discretion, rate of comprehension, and time constraints.

Classroom Materials: Pen, Folder, Notebook, Planner

Textbook: Miller, Roger LeRoy. Economics: Today and Tomorrow. New York, NY:
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.
Grading Policy: Grading practices are consistent with the grading philosophy of Bartlett High
School. Students grades will be based predominantly on their performance on summative
assessments (65%), including the final exam (20%). Summative assessments are defined as
assessments of learning that are used to evaluate student learning, skills acquired, and

academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period. Mastery is expected

on a summative assessment after appropriate and sufficient instruction is provided. Examples
of summative assessments include unit exams, projects, essays, debates, speeches,
performances, etc. Formative assessments (15%) are defined as assessments of learning that
are used by both the teacher and the student to determine the level of learning against
standards, components, outcomes, or targets. Examples of formative assessments include
quizzes, exit slips, entrance slips, large group questioning, teacher monitoring during group
work, specific components of daily work assignments, personal interviews between student
and teacher, etc. Less weight is given to formative assessments
because students are still developmentally in the process of mastering a skill.
Grading Scale:
4. Mastery
3. Proficient
2. Basic
1. Below Basic
0. No Evidence

Grade Composition:
Summative Assessments
65%
Formative Assessments
15%
Final Exam
+ 20%
100%

Homework and Late Work: Homework is to be completed in full by the day it is due. Late work
may be accepted up to FIVE class days after a given due date, but may be subject to a lower
grade.
Make-Up Work: It is the students responsibility to obtain and complete all homework
assignments missed due to absences.
Reassessments: Students who receive a grade lower than a (2) on an assessment will have
the option toand are strongly encouraged toreassess after consulting with the teacher and
subsequently completing all prerequisite formative and practice work. Students have up to two
opportunities to reassess in order to demonstrate content proficiency.
Participation: Participation is expected by all. This course is designed to be interactive and
collaborative. Participation in activities such as individual work, group work, and class-wide
activities is essential to the success of the student.
Rules and Expectations: See attached. Rules are enforced strictly, quickly, and consistently to
maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning. Severe or continued misconduct will result in
detentions and/or referrals to the dean of students.
Tardy Policy: Any student arriving up to 5 minutes late or leaving early will have each action
counted as a tardy. A student who arrives more than 5 minutes late to class without a pass will
be marked as absent for the day, even if they stay for the remainder of the session.
Additional Help: If at any point in the semester you feel that you need extra help, PLEASE
COME SEE ME. It is my job to assist students to the best of my ability to ensure all have a
concrete understanding of the material. I will make myself available before and after school as
needed. I will also be available by appointment. The responsibility lies with the student to seek
out for extra help. My door is always open.
Checking Student Grades: Parents and guardians can access students grades by going to
www.u-46.org > Parents & Students > Infinite Campus. It is highly recommended that you
monitor your childs grades via this website.


Students will
1. Successfully pass all
summative assessments

2. Complete every
assignment on time.
This includes all
homework assignments

Students will
3. Work to their fullest
potential and strive to
achieve individual and
class goals
4. Refrain from talking while
the teacher is talking
5. Arrive to class on-time
everyday

ASSESSMENTS
If rule/expectation is not met
Student needs to demonstrate
mastery of the material

Student needs to turn in ALL

homework assignments per
unit in order to retake the unit
test.

BEHAVIOR
If rule/expectation is not met
Student will not meet
graduation requirements and
will need to retake this course

6. Come to class prepared

with a pen, notebook,
folder, and planner.

7. Refrain from
writing/drawing on the
desktops

8. Refrain from checking or

using digital devices
during classtime

9. Turn in their own work.

Cheating/plagiarism will
NOT be tolerated.

10. Take notes during all

class discussions

My role
To allow students to reassess
on tests and/or complete test
corrections
Display the homework
assignment on the screen/board
at the beginning of each class
To remind students to write
down assignments in agendas

My role
To keep grades up to date on
Infinite Campus

Student will receive a warning

Continuous violations may
result in detentions
Three or more tardies will
result in a Deans detention
Student will miss important
announcements and
homework assignments
Student will need to borrow
supplies.

To ensure that all students are

able to hear information

To begin class on-time everyday

To display the plan for the day
and present the homework on
the screen/board

To let students know ahead of

time when they need to bring
any other materials.

Student will clean the desktop

immediately
Continuous violation will result
in detention
Student will receive a warning
Device will be confiscated and
later returned.

To enforce this rule so the

custodians dont get angry with
me

To limit potential distractions in

order to facilitate learning.

First infraction: Referral to

dean, call home.
Second infraction: Referral to
dean and suggestion for
removal from the course.
Student should use their
notes to study for their unit
tests

To remind the students of this

rule often.

To demonstrate the Cornell

note-taking format

Parent Signature
Please read through this syllabus with your son/daughter. I encourage you to ask them
questions, not just about this syllabus, but daily as we progress through the semester. I also
encourage you to contact me (a tear away contact sheet is provided below) at anytime if you
have any questions, comments, or concerns. I look forward to an engaging semester!
By providing my signature below, I confirm that I have read and understand all of the rules and
expectations of Mr. Morrissey in the upcoming semester.
Student Name: ____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________

Questions, Comments, Concerns:

**Return this upper portion to Mr. Morrissey**

---------------------------------------------------------------------Teacher Contact Information

Teacher Name: Robert Morrissey Jr.
Course: Introduction to Economics
Class Website: morrisseyecon.weebly.com
Email: robertmorrissey@u-46.org
**Tear away this contact information sheet for your records**

Name ___________________

Student Goals:

My goal for this class is to...

I will work to achieve this goal by

My athletic/extracurricular goal for this year is

The college I hope to attend when I graduate

The career I hope to have in the future

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -I have carefully read the syllabus for Mr. Morrisseys class and will willfully abide by the contents
therein contained. I pledge to put forth my best effort to achieve the above goals.

______________________________
Student Signature

_______________
Date