Week of August 31, 2000

Welcome back to school. I am sorry that I am unable to begin the school year with you as I am recovering from knee replacement surgery and my recovery is taking longer than I anticipated, but I feel lucky that Mr. Izzo is filling in for me during this time. Mr. Izzo has an excellent understanding of economics since he has majored in sociology which focuses on individual and group behavior in society.

Economics is the study of how people seek to satisfy their needs and wants by making choices. People have unlimited wants but limited resources and choices have to be made. For instance, homework will count 20% towards your final grade. Homework will not be that hard but it will require some of your limited time. Some students will choose to complete all of the homework on time while other students will choose to use this time to work, or sleep or watch t.v. A choice has been made to use time and energy for some other purpose besides homework which will affect your grade.

On most days I will stay after school in room 74 until  3:00, and if you let me know beforehand I will definately be there.    My contractural exta help day after school will be on Thursday.

First week homework assignment:
Chapter 1 section 1 (2-6) Identify the key terms. Answer questions #1-8 (odd or even) on page 6
Read the Profile on Gary Becker (p.7) Answer questions #1-3.

Chapter 1 section 2 (8-11) Identify the key terms. Read Global Connections (p.9) and answer the question in the text box. Answer questions #1-9. (odd or even)

Chapter 1 section 3 (13-18) Identify the key terms. Answer the question in the figure 1.5 on page 15. Answer questions #1-7 (odd or even) on page 18.

Read Real Life Case Study, (p.19) answer questions #1+2.

wikileaks

Debt vs. Deficit

What is the difference between debt and deficit?
What is leveraging?
Why are these problems for both individuals and the government?



Where did all this debt come from?

Marketplace November 17

Jay-Z decoded

What are the problems Jay-Z encounted? Does his discussion of discrimination have any merit?

Unemployment worker problems

the 99ers