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Civics: Economics/US Government 9th Grade

Course Description

Civics teaches students the complexity of the origins, structure, and functions of governments; the rights, roles, and responsibilities of citizenship; the importance of law; and the skills necessary to participate in all levels of government. Civics is a foundational component of the educational experience and critical to the continued success of our society. A democratic and free society relies on the skills, knowledge, engagement and virtue of its citizens.

Economics teaches how society manages its scarce resources, how people make decisions, how people interact in the domestic and international markets, and how forces and trends affect the economy as a whole. Personal financial literacy applies the economic way of thinking to help individuals understand how to manage their own scarce resources using a logical decision-making process of prioritization based on analysis of the costs and benefits of every choice.

Posts

Civics - Week of 1/11 - 1/15

- Topic 1 American Government and Civic Engagement -

Hey Folks! This week we begin our semester of studying government. We will talk about what government is, who governs, and the importance for us to engage in our democracy.   

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 1.1 What is Government?

  • Explain what government is and what it does.
  • Identify the type of government in the United States and compare it to other forms of government.

Topic 1.2 Who Governs? Elitism, Pluralism, and Tradeoffs

  • Describe the pluralism-elitism debate.
  • Explain the tradeoffs perspective on government.

 Topic 1.3 Engagement in a Democracy

  • Explain the importance of citizen engagement in a democracy.
  • Describe the main ways Americans can influence and become engaged in government.
  • Discuss factors that may affect people’s willingness to become engaged in government.

Assignment Due 1/13

  1. Virtues/Reasonability’s of a Good Citizen Essay

Assignments Due 1/18

  1. Topic 1.1 What is Government?
  2. Topic 1.2 Who Governs? Elitism, Pluralism, and Tradeoffs
  3. Topic 1.3 Engagement in a Democracy

Economics - Week of 12/7 - 12/11

Hey Folks! This week we wrap up our personal finance unit and I will be giving you your final for the semester and going over the instructions. You also have your last four assignments for Econlowdown that are really easy. All Econlowdown assignments must be completed by this Friday. I can’t take any late assignments. Your final will be due Monday morning at 8AM. Please email me if you have any questions.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Budgeting is the most basic and most important tool in anyone’s financial toolbox. The focus is on an important milestone in transitioning to adulthood--getting your own place. With these resources, students are given the hands-on opportunity to create budgets as a recent graduate with an apartment in a new city. This week we will go over some research strategies for the final which will be creating a real monthly budget.

All Assignments Due 12/11

  1. Budgeting 101
  2. On the Move: Renting Basics
  3. Insurance, Segment 1: Coverage and Cost Basics
  4. College Choice 101

Late Assignments

*All Assignments are on Econlowdown

  1. It’s Your Paycheck Lesson 6
  2. It’s Your Paycheck Lesson 7
  3. It’s Your Paycheck lesson 8
  4. Cards, Cars and Currency: Lesson 2
  5. Cards, Cars and Currency: Lesson 4
  6. Continuing Feducation—Understanding How a FICO Credit Score is Determined
  7. Banks and Alternatives

Final Due 12/14 at 8AM

Economics - Week of 11/30 - 12/4

- Personal Finance-

Hey Folks! This week we continue our personal finance unit that we will be working on until the end of the semester. This week we will look at banking, credit cards, credit scores, and how to apply for loans. Make sure that you have your login and password to get in to Econlowdown and reach out to me if you need me to resend them to you.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Learn and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using credit. Discuss key terms related to credit and learn how creditors use capacity, character and collateral as criteria for making loans. Learn about credit rights and responsibilities and identify the rights and responsibilities of using credit. Learn about credit card usage and credit card consumer protection laws. Understand how a FICO Credit Score is determined, how they are determined, and why they are important.

New Assignments Due 12/7

*All Assignments are on Econlowdown

  1. It’s Your Paycheck Lesson 6
  2. It’s Your Paycheck Lesson 7
  3. It’s Your Paycheck lesson 8
  4. Cards, Cars and Currency: Lesson 2
  5. Cards, Cars and Currency: Lesson 4
  6. Continuing Feducation—Understanding How a FICO Credit Score is Determined
  7. Banks and Alternatives

Economics - Week of 11/16 - 11/20

- Personal Finance-

Hey Folks! This week we begin our personal finance unit that we will be working on until the end of the semester. This week we will look at W2’s, W4’s, payroll and income taxes, and we will be playing a game called Spent. We will be shifting back to Econlowdown this week, so make sure that you have your login and password to get in and reach out to me if you need me to resend them to you.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Explain the underlying causes of the 2008 financial crisis. Tell the story of the credit bubble that caused the financial crash. Describe how excessive income inequality in society leads to economic instability.

New Assignments Due 11/23

*All Assignments are on Econlowdown

  1. Filling Out the W4
  2. It’s Your Paycheck Lesson 2
  3. It’s Your Paycheck lesson 3
  4. It’s Your Paycheck Lesson 4
  5. Individual Income Tax: The Basics and New Changes
  6. Cards, Cars and Currency: Lesson 5

Economics - Week of 11/9 - 11/13

- 2008 Financial Crisis-

Hey Folks! This week we will wrap up our discussion of the 2008 Financial Crisis and take a look at some of the questions you asked in your assignments last week. I will pick 10 questions you gave me from last week and go over the answers on Monday. We will not have class on Wednesday for Veteran’s Day.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Explain the underlying causes of the 2008 financial crisis. Tell the story of the credit bubble that caused the financial crash. Describe how excessive income inequality in society leads to economic instability.

New Assignments Due 11/16

  1. Documentary Questions from Last Week and Answers

Late Assignments Due 11/16

  1. Documentary Questions Part 1 (11/2)
  2. Documentary Questions Part 2 (11/4)

Economics - Week of 11/2 - 11/6

- 2008 Financial Crisis-

Last week we discussed market structures and market failures. This week we are going into market failure in depth by studying the 2008 financial crisis. We will be using the next two weeks to discuss the crisis while we transition from talking about markets into discussing the banking system.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Explain the underlying causes of the 2008 financial crisis. Tell the story of the credit bubble that caused the financial crash. Describe how excessive income inequality in society leads to economic instability.

New Assignments Due 11/9

  1. The Flaw (2011) Documentary Questions Part 1 (11/2)
  2. The Flaw (2011) Documentary Questions Part 2 (11/4)

Late Assignments Due 11/9

  1. Popular V. President Handout
  2. Electoral College: Addressing the Issues Through Primary Sources
  3. The Best Way to Elect the President of the United States Essay

Economics - Week of 10/26 - 10/30

-Election 2020-

Hey Folks! Because of the election next week, we will be pivoting away from Economics to discuss the Presidential election and the electoral college. We will be analyzing some primary source documents and looking at the politics of the electoral college and state election strategies.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:00 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

After completing this lesson, students will understand how the Electoral College system was established and how it functions in determining who will be the president and vice president of the United States. The students will demonstrate their understanding by answering a series of questions and writing a short essay arguing to either keep the existing Electoral College or adopt a popular vote system. Students will demonstrate this knowledge by answering questions that seek to measure their conceptual understanding of the topic as well as engaging them in thoughtful discussions. Students are required to express themselves in writing. Students are asked to not only explain, but make fact-based arguments based on textual evidence.

New Assignments Due 11/2

  1. Popular V. President Handout
  2. Electoral College: Addressing the Issues Through Primary Sources
  3. The Best Way to Elect the President of the United States Essay

Late Assignments Due 11/2

  1. Topic 7.1 Competition and Market Structures
  2. Topic 7.2 Market Failures
  3. Topic 7.3 The Role of Government

Economics - Week of 10/19 - 10/23

-Topic 7 Market Structures-

Hey Folks! This week we will be discussing market structures, how markets fail, and the role of government in regulating markets.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:00 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 7.1 Competition and Market Structures

Objectives: Explain the characteristics of perfect competition. Understand the nature of monopolistic competition. Describe the behavior and characteristics of the oligopolist. Identify several types of monopolies.

Topic 7.2 Market Failures

Objectives: Discuss the problems caused by inadequate competition. Understand the importance of having adequate information. Describe the nature of resource immobility. Explain the nature of positive and negative externalities.

Topic 7.3 The Role of Government

Objectives: Discuss major antitrust legislation in the United States. Understand the need for government regulation. Explain the value of public disclosure. Discuss the modifications to our free enterprise economy.

New Assignments Due 10/26

  1. Topic 7.1 Competition and Market Structures
  2. Topic 7.2 Market Failures
  3. Topic 7.3 The Role of Government

Late Assignments Due 10/26

  1. Quarter 1 Quiz

Economics - Week of 10/14 - 10/16

Hey Folks! This week I will be giving you a study guide and you will be taking a quiz on everything we have covered this year so far. The quiz will be your only assignment so make sure you take your time and complete it to the best of your ability. The quiz will be available on Wednesday and will be due by 8 AM, Monday morning.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topics 1-5 Review and Assessment

Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, Factors of Production, Production Possibility Curve, and Supply and Demand.

New Assignments Due 10/19

  1. Quarter 1 Quiz

Economics - Week of 9/28 - 10/2

Hey Folks! This week we will be doing a review of the material we have covered over the last 5 weeks and will be doing some assignments in Econlowdown. I will show you how to login on Monday.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topics 1-5 Review

Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, Factors of Production, Production Possibility Frontier, Types of Businesses, and Supply and Demand.

New Assignments Due 10/12

Assignment in Econlowdown

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 10/5 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 5.1 What is Supply?
  2. Topic 5.2 The Theory of Production
  3. Topic 5.3 Cost, Revenue, and Profit Maximization

Economics - Week of 9/21 - 9/25

Hey Folks! Last week we did Demand this week we will do supply. We will talk about the supply curve, the three stages of production, and look at how we measure cost, revenue, and profits.  

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 5.1 What is Supply?: Understand the difference between the supply schedule and the supply curve. Explain how market supply curves are derived. Specify the reasons for a change in supply.

Topic 5.2 The Theory of Production: Explain the theory of production. Describe the three stages of production.

Topic 5.3 Cost, Revenue, and Profit Maximization: Define four key measures of cost. Identify two key measures of revenue. Apply incremental analysis to business decisions.

New Assignments Due 9/28

  1. Topic 5.1 What is Supply?
  2. Topic 5.2 The Theory of Production
  3. Topic 5.3 Cost, Revenue, and Profit Maximization

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/28 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 4.1 What Is Demand?
  2. Topic 4.2 Factors Affecting Demand Objectives
  3. Topic 4.3 Elasticity of Demand

Economics - Week of 9/14 - 9/18

Hey Folks! This week, we will learn that demand is more than a desire to buy something: it is the ability and willingness to actually buy it. We will be learning more about how demand operates in the marketplace, the factors that affect it, and the elasticity of demand.

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 4.1 What Is Demand?: Describe and illustrate the concept of demand. Explain how demand and utility are related.

Topic 4.2 Factors Affecting Demand Objectives: Explain what causes a change in quantity demanded. Describe the factors that could cause a change in demand.

Topic 4.3 Elasticity of Demand: Explain why elasticity is a measure of responsiveness. Analyze the elasticity of demand for a product. Understand the factors that determine demand elasticity.

New Assignments Due 9/21

  1. Topic 4.1 What Is Demand?
  2. Topic 4.2 Factors Affecting Demand Objectives
  3. Topic 4.3 Elasticity of Demand

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/21 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 3.1 Forms of Business Organization
  2. Topic 3.2 Business Growth and Expand
  3. Topic 3.3 Nonprofit Organizations

Economics - Week of 9/8 - 9/11

Civics: Econ and US Government

Title: Week of 9/8 – 9/11

Hey Folks! This week, we continue our odyssey through economics in Topic 3 Business Organizations as we cover different types of businesses, their objectives, how they are organized, and how they grow and  expand. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 3.1 Forms of Business Organization: Describe the characteristics of the sole proprietorship. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of the partnership. Describe the structure and features of the corporation.

Topic 3.2 Business Growth and Expand: Explain how businesses can reinvest their profits to grow and expand. Recognize the reasons that cause firms to merge. Identify two different types of mergers.

Topic 3.3 Nonprofit Organizations: Describe nonprofit organizations. Explain the direct and indirect role of government in our economy.

New Assignments Due 9/14

  1. Topic 3.1 Forms of Business Organization
  2. Topic 3.2 Business Growth and Expand
  3. Topic 3.3 Nonprofit Organizations

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/14 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 2.1 Economic Systems
  2. Topic 2.2 Evaluating Economic Performance
  3. Topic 2.3 American Free Enterprise

Economics - Week of 8/31 - 9/4

Hey folks! Nice job from everyone last week! This week we will look at economic systems, how we evaluate economic performance, and the structures of American enterprise. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Classes: Monday/Wednesday, 10:15 – 10:45 AM

Zoom ID: 723 9635 0716

*as always, please see Teams for the password.

Weekly Objectives

Topic 2.1 Economic Systems

Objectives: Identity the three key economic questions of what to produce, how to produce, and who consumes what is produced. Analyze the societal values that determine how a country answers the three economic questions. Explain the characteristics of traditional, command, and market economies and describe the societal values that influence them.

Topic 2.2 Evaluating Economic Performance

Objectives: Describe the basic economic and social goals used to evaluate economic performance. Evaluate the tradeoffs among economic and social goals.

Topic 2.3 American Free Enterprise

Objectives: Explore the characteristics of a free enterprise system. Describe the role of the entrepreneur, the consumer, and government in a free enterprise economy.

New Assignments

  1. Topic 1 Quiz
  2. Topic 2.1 Economic Systems
  3. Topic 2.2 Evaluating Economic Performance
  4. Topic 2.3 American Free Enterprise

Late Assignments (not acceptable after 9/7 at 8:00 AM)

  1. Topic 1.1 Scarcity – Fundamentals of Economics
  2. Topic 1.2 Opportunity Cost and Trade-Offs
  3. Topic 1.3 Production Possibilities

Mr. Kern's Online Meeting Links

Good morning everyone!

Hope you are all ready for your first week of distance learning! Here are the links for all of my Zoom meetings. Please email me if you are having any issues connecting. Have a great week and I'll see you in class!

 

Topic: Sophomore Morning Advocacy

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71595161449

Meeting ID: 715 9516 1449

 

Topic: US History II - Kern - Westgate 20-21

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72717795548

Meeting ID: 727 1779 5548

 

Topic: Civics: Econ & US Gov - 9th Grade - Kern - Westgate - 20-21

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72396350716

Meeting ID: 723 9635 0716

 

Topic: Sociology - Kern- Westgate 20-21

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74032513917

Meeting ID: 740 3251 3917

.

Topic: Human Geography - Kern - Westgate 20-21

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72749333213

Meeting ID: 727 4933 3213

 

Topic: Dale Kern's Office Hours

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71853697016

Meeting ID: 718 5369 7016