Vacation Trip, Part 3May 16, 2013
In this section you’ll find and illustrate information that would be useful to know. You will find three sets of information that pertain to the location you’ll be visiting. The first set should deal somehow with the population. The second can be any information you think gives you a clearer picture of the people in the country. The third will compare the country to the United States of America, or that state to Colorado.
Vacation Trip, Part 2An example of your second page
May 9, 2013
Page two tasks:
Vacation Trip, Part 1An example of your first page
May 7, 2013
Today we'll begin making our plans for our virtual vacation. To begin with, decide where you're going to go. It can be anywhere in the world, but it should be far enough away that you have to take a plane to get there. Our job today will be to start creating a list of things we want to take with us. On this first sheet, you’ll begin packing for your trip. Open up a new 'Numbers' document and let's begin.
Cost and Benefit - Take a VacationMay 3, 2013
While we're creating our virtual vacation, we're also going to take this opportunity to learn an employable skill - Numbers (the program). Your job today... 1. Download this file onto your desktop 2. Rename it with your name 3. Play along 4. E-mail me your saved file Cost and Benefit - Take a VacationAll Spongebob needed was an empty box...
and imagination.
May 2, 2013
We're going to begin our final unit - taking a vacation. Your job today... 1. Choose three places you think you'd like to go on a vacation to 2. Choose five things you'd like to do when you're on vacation. 3. E-mail me these answers, including pictures of where you want to go. |
Objective and questionObjective: We will figure costs and benefits of vacation options.
Literacy Objective: We will write about our findings. Essential Question: How do you price out enjoyment? |
Snow day in lovelandMay 1, 2013
Sorry I'm not with you, but my kids and I are snowed in this morning. They closed schools here. If you haven't finished the vehicle shopping assignment, please get that done today. Otherwise treat the day as a study hall. Vehicle shoppingApril 30, 2013
Let's go shopping! I'll be giving each of you some money and send you shopping for three things in particular. Your job today... 1. Get some money from me 2. Search for three types of vehicle with the budget I have given you a. Find the best looking vehicle you can find b. Find the vehicle with the best fuel economy c. Find the vehicle with the least amount of miles on it Used Car Shopping TipsApril 24, 2013
Today we're going to investigate a couple more items on our Smart Car Buying Tips. First, we're going to get some advice from this guy, Eric, when it comes to buying a used car. Second, we're going to research dealerships and see how Google Maps can help us out there. Your Job Today... 1. Watch this video of Eric The Car Guy 2. Create your own list of things to do based off of his advice 3. Google 'Car Dealerships in Greeley' 4. Click on the link that takes you to Google Maps 5. Read through the reviews and write me a paragraph about which dealerships you would trust and which you wouldn't based off of the reviews. Pay attention to the owner remarks as well. Smart Car Buying TipsApril 19, 2013
Let's start to go shopping today. Smart shopping. With a buddy system. Your job today. 1. Choose a partner to work with. You'll each be doing your own work, but this covers #6 on our list. 2. Check out these car buying tips from our friends at Wells Fargo. 3. Talk to your buddy about Step #1. In fact, let them choose the car they think you should have. 4. Go to the links provided in Step #2. 5. For Step #3, we're going to visit the General, because he's the only one that will give us an online quote. - Make sure you're writing all this stuff down. We'll put it together after we get through all of the steps. 6. Look up gas milage so you know how much it takes to fill up the tank and how often you'll need to fill it up. 7. Start shopping. Car Shopping 101April 18, 2013
Let's take comparison shopping into the world of automobiles. Your job today... 1. Make a Top 10 list of what is most important to look for when car shopping 2. We'll discuss the list and make a collective Top 10 list 3. We're going to play 'Name Your Price' with four examples of cars that are currently for sale 4. When we're finished, modify your own list (if you feel like you need to) and hand it in or email it to me, numbered by order of importance Where do you go shopping?April 17, 2013
Sorry kids, I'm dying to today. I've been fighting a cold this week and this morning the cold is kicking my butt. I have a simple challenge for you today. 1. In an email or a document, I want you to write down 10 things you usually buy in a store. It can be anything from food to clothes to ammo to daipers. 2. Type in, to the best of your knowledge, how much you typically pay for that item and what store you'd go to first to buy that item. 3. Find that item online. It's out there - either on amazon or by googling it. - One trick with googling the item is to google it in images, so you know you have the right product, them click on the button that takes you to the website it's from. 4. Compare prices. Write in how much your finding it for and from what website. 5. Send me the email. Thanks! Wish I was with you. If you have any questions, you can text me at (970) 412-0925. Where do you go shopping?April 16, 2013
Let's compare prices now on something a little different than some Instant Lunch. The difference between shopping for batteries and Instant Lunch, besides the taste, is that you have performance quality as a factor with difference brands of batteries. Your job today... 1. Check out this article about the difference in performance between batteries. 2. Use our worksheet to compare prices on a variety of batteries. 2. Go to Google, then click on Shopping up at the top. 3. Type in [AA Batteries] 4. Peruse the options and find what you believe to be the best value. 5. Write in the information on your worksheet. 6. Go to Amazon.com and repeat steps 3-5. 7. Choose a winner. Principles of economics - MoneyvilleApril 3, 2013
Today and tomorrow we're going to have fun with a little online finance activity. Check it out here. It's made the same people who brought you that cool lemonade stand game, but this time choose the other one. It's called Moneyville. Your job today... 1. Play with each of the three educational levels 2. Each time you play, choose two additional challenges, along with saving $2000 3. Have fun with it! Hungry for ChangeMarch 27, 2012
Today and tomorrow we're going to watch a movie that is pretty informative about the food we eat, called Hungry for Change. While you're doing that, I have a project for you. Here's your job... 1. Go to allrecipes.com (I've led you to the healthy recipe section) 2. Find 7 recipes that look good to you 3. We're going to create a grocery list from these items 4. Start by writing down all of the ingredients of the recipes 5. On Thursday we'll combine recipes into one big list. |
Objectives and questionObjective: We will compare retail items for price and contents to determine value and benefits.
Literacy Objective: We will write about our findings. Essential Question: What considerations do you take into account when deciding what to buy? |
Bracket stats, Part 2March 26, 2013
So today we're going to look at the results from the first two rounds of the college basketball tournament, and compare our predictions. Your job today... 1. Calculate your number of winners. 2. Calculate the percentage of correct guesses you had. 3. Compare your percentages to the class. 4. Compare this years' percentages to an average year. 5. Calculate the percentage of "underdog" wins. 6. Recreate a "Sweet 16 bracket" based off of our findings. |
Objectives and questionObjective: We will use basketball games to calculate percentages and compare statistical data.
Literacy Objective: We will read and interpret numbers and information. Essential Question: How much can past data help you predict future data? |
shopping for health - fast food comparisonA Double Triple Baconator
March 22, 2013
Your job today... 1. Go to this website that compares fast food nutritional facts. 2. Also check out this one that tells you what a person's daily nutritional needs are. 3. Use this sheet to create a chart and include the following information: a. Choose four of the same type of food (burgers, chicken, sides, shakes, etc.) b. Fill in the categories listed on the sheet shopping for health - is fast food really that bad?people respond to incentives - shopping for healthMarch 20, 2013
Mmmm, bacon. What if you could find healthy bacon that still tasted good? (Meaning not turkey bacon) What if they could at least take the fat out? Would you consider it healthy then? This week we're going to look at the nutritional content of food a little more closely. We won't worry about price or brand, but instead we'll see what really matters on the nutritional label and how that will effect the way you shop. Your job today... 1. Guess which is healthier... a Banana Colada Fuse, a Mango Melon Sobe or Xing Peach Green Tea 2. Talk about what makes things "healthier" 3. Read the first four pages of this report from Harvard 4. Try again with some fancy oatmeal. To Statistic or not to statisticMarch 19, 2013
Today is one of those few days that can not be ignored. More than any other time in our lives, this week we see statistics crash into real life (well, sort of real life). Get a bracket and let's study the stats and science behind it. Like this guy, he's really smart and really into stats. Every choice includes rejection - Brand vs GenericMarch 12, 2013
This week we're going to compare generic and brand name products. There's no blanket conclusion to this, because every product is different. You have to take price, quality, presentation and price all into consideration. Fortunately, to do this, we're going to actually have to check out a sample of products. Here are your jobs, in no particular order. 1. Check out this article, "Battle of the Brands", and write a one-paragraph response to it. 2. Complete the Store vs Name Brand Comparison worksheet. 3. Since this is a longer day, you shouldn't have any problem finishing before the end of the hour. |
Objectives and questionObjective: We will compare foods that we eat for price and contents to determine value and benefits.
Literacy Objective: We will write about our findings. Essential Question: What considerations do you take into account when deciding what to buy? |
Cost and benefit - grocery shoppingMarch 5-6, 2013
Sorry I am gone from you again. My grandfather passed away on Saturday, so I am gone to his funeral. I will be back on Thursday. Over the next two days, I have some challenges for you to work on. On Sunday, I went and took some pictures at my neighborhood King Soopers. They were very nice about it once I convinced the police I wasn't working for Safeway. There are five challenges that I'd like you to complete by the end of class on Wednesday/Thursday (whenever I see you), so you may want to take it home and work on it to make sure you complete it on time. Challenges #1 & #5 are on your worksheet.
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objectiveS AND QUEStiONObjective: We will use food prices and nutritional information to compare and analyze costs and benefits.
Literacy Objective: We will read and interpret food labels. Essential Question: What information do you need to make healthy and cost-effective food choices? |
Challenge #4
Just like Challenge #3, your job will be to compare homemade vs. store bought. This time, however, there are a lot more ingredients. This time we're going to make my chocolate chip cookies. Here's the recipe: 1 cup sugar 1 cup shortening 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups chocolate chips (Makes 3 dozen cookies) Your Job 1. Figure out the cost of the each of the ingredients. 2. Figure out the calories and total fat of each ingredient. 3. Write out these on the worksheet 4. Compare the price and nutritional content of the homemade cookies to the cookie dough and the Chips Ahoy. Rank them with specific numbers for each. You might need to know these measurements 3 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon 16 tablespoons = 1 cup 6 teaspoons = 1 fluid ounce |
Ingredients
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Cost and Benefit - Post secondary educationFebruary 28, 2013
We're going to start looking at investigating cost and benefit through post-secondary education. Your job today... 1. Choose two possible career paths you might want to take 2. Use salary.com or other sites to look up these two careers 3. Research the costs of post-secondary education for the careers you're interested in. - Find at least two different schools that offer some education in your career 4. Write a two-paragraph response about it - Tell me about the career and what education is needed to get that career - Show specific numbers and compare the cost of education to the salary to talk about which career gives you the most benefit for the cost - Discuss possible alternatives that could either decrease the cost or increase the benefit for each career. - Each paragraph should be 5-7 sentences 5. Use Numbers to create a chart of your dollar amounts. Use the per year cost of the post-secondary education and the per year salary as the benefit. It should look this... Principles of economicsFebruary 26, 2013
As we finish up our 'Refurnishing Your House' project, we're going to play a little leapfrog. Today we'll get a taste of our next unit before we wrap up the housing piece tomorrow. Your job today... 1. Read through the Six Core Principles of Economics 2. Go here and play Lemonade Stand. - Do a medium game - Whoever has made the most money at the end will win a big sucker 2. When you've finished, write two paragraphs connecting principles of economics to this game. - You don't have to use all of the principles - you can focus on as many or few as you want - Relate the principles to your game - Give specific examples of how you saw the principles played out - Each paragraph should be 5-7 sentences - This is due on Thursday, February 28 |
objectives and questionObjective: We will connect principles of economics to various business situations and apply the principles to specific scenarios.
Literacy Objective: We will write about the connections and applications we have made. Essential Question: What motivates people to buy the things they do? |
Refurnish Your HouseFebruary 19-21
Over the next few days, we're going to refurnish and redecorate our house and our room. Step 1. You say we need to talk Step 2. Try and get that song out of your head now Step 3. Use the pie chart you created on Friday to do a new calculation. We're going to assume that the breakdown of the pie chart is what you're going to use to furnish your whole house. - Here's a youtube video to show you what to do Step 4. Now you get to go shopping again. Since your room was burned to the ground, or run over, of hit by a tornado, or whatever the scenario is, you get a new one. a. Get the "your room" sheet b. Follow the instructions - Here's another video that should help explain Step 5. Finally, we're going to put all of the stuff in our room. - Here's yet more instructions - Here's the sheet if you need it Categorize Your StuffFebruary 15, 2013
Today we'll find more accurate prices for some of our things and break everything down into categories. Your job today... 1. Categorize your list (we'll create the categories) 2. Draw a pie chart on your paper and predict what a pie chart breakdown of your categories will look like. 3. Choose at least five items from your list (ones you're not sure of the price you guessed). You can use Amazon or a similar website. 4. Open up Numbers 5. We'll walk through the process of creating a pie chart for an actual breakdown of your items. Our HouseFebruary 14, 2013
Today we're going to start getting into our houses. Let's start with your own room. Your job today... 1. Get out a piece of paper and pencil (or I'll hand you the paper). 2. Pretend your house just got run over by a herd of Ponyta and the insurance man has come to get an estimate on the damages. Make a list of everything (even itemize your clothes) you can think of that you have in your bedroom. 3. Once you've finished making the list, guess on the value on of each item. Write your guess next to the item. 4. Once you've finished guessing, go online to amazon and start looking up the prices to see how far off you were on your guesses. 5. HOMEWORK: Go home, with another piece of paper, and add all of the things you forgot on your list today. - We'll come back tomorrow and compare notes. |
Objectives and questionObjective: We will evaluate and compare costs of various household items and differentiate wants from needs when it comes to furnishing your living space.
Literacy Objective: We will read and write about a living area furnishings. Essential Question: How do different household items fit into your budget? |
Value vs. growthFebruary 13, 2013
Before jumping into our next unit, we're going to have fun with our stocks and compare a couple types of investment strategies. Your job (Tuesday and Wednesday) 1. Listen to my boring ramblings about Warren Buffett's Value Investing (Here's the PowerPoint) 2. Choose a company to invest in, and fill out this worksheet 3. Check out the pretty comparison chart below 4. Choose at least two "growth" stocks that you think are primed to take off make you lots of money in the next two weeks. 5. Write me and tell me about the stocks you chose and tell me why you chose them. Relate your decision to the chart below. 6. Both the worksheet and your writing is due today, Wednesday, February 13 |
Objectives and QuestionObjective: We will explore investment strategies and compare results in investing in each.
Literacy Objective: We will write about specific stocks we choose to invest in. Essential Question: What are the fundamental differences between the two strategies? |
Owning MathRenting vs. BuyingFebruary 5, 2013
Some of the biggest financial decisions you'll make will be on where you live. For many people, that means deciding whether to rent or buy. You'll get a lot of different opinions, but you have to be able to sort out the facts. What we're doing today and tomorrow... 1. Let's compare a house and an apartment ourselves. First, the house Next, the apartment Now we'll compare physical differences and prices: Mortgage Calculator vs Apartment Information - For the mortgage calculator, use a 4.5 interest rate and 3% down payment 2. Now we're going to read opposing views about whether your should rent or buy. - These are subjective views, meaning the people writing them have a reason to argue only one side. Pro-Renting Opinion Pro-Buying Opinion 3. Write a three-paragraph response to these two opinions. I would like to see you cover... a. What is your overall reaction to these two opinions? b. Summarize key advantages and disadvantages of both renting and buying. c. What about your personal situation should dictate your decision making? 4. This writing exercise is due tomorrow. (Thursday, February 6) We'll go over what you've found and your conclusions in class then. |
Objectives and questionObjective: We will compare and determine the advantages and disadvantages of renting and buying a home.
Literacy Objective: We will read and analyze contrasting opinions about renting vs buying. Essential Question: What about your personal situation dictates your decision making? |
Comparing sizes of living spacesFebruary 1, 2013
So a dorm room is pretty small and cramped. Today we're going to get a visual of what living spaces can look like, and identify some online tools that can help you when you're searching for a place to live. Apartment Visual Tours Applewood House Floor Plans Loomis Village Floor Plans Finally, we'll go to Apartments.com and see how you can find important details on potential places to live. (Give yourself a $1,500 max rent, just for the fun of it). Choose one that you like and fill out this worksheet with as much information as possible. This will be due on Tuesday. Organizing Your StuffJanuary 30, 2013
Today we're going to organize your things, keeping sizes and dimensions in mind. Your job today. You have a $300 budget to help organize your new dorm room. Here's your challenge... 1. Find a creative way to organize your closet space. - Your sheet shows the dimension of your closet - Go either the shoes and clothes route or entertainment system route - You may want to go here for some cool ideas. 2. Go to amazon.com and go shopping. - As you find things you like, go to the description and check out the dimensions - All items must fit exactly in your closet space! 3. Take a screen shot of your shopping cart when your finished. 4. Send me an e-mail and explain what you've chosen and why. - Tell me how you would use those items to make your closet the greatest ever. - Attach the picture of your shopping cart. Moving your stuff to the dorm roomJanuary 28, 2013
For many of you, this will be a reality. You're moving from your own room to sharing a room with someone else and trying to fit all of your stuff in together. One way to help you is if you know the dimensions of the room your going to, as well as your furnishings and other belongings. Your job today... 1. Listen to me go on and on with meaningless advice about moving into a dorm room. 2. Furnish your dorm room. We're going to pretend you're going to Oklahoma State University, located in the center of humidity and nothingness, aka Stillwater, OK. 3. Open this PDF to see the dimensions of the dorm rooms. 4. Open this PDF to see some necessities that you'll need in your room. 5. Choose a partner. 6. Work together to furnish your dorm room. a. Choose a room in the Ida Building. b. You'll each need a bed, dresser, desk and chair. c. You can share a fridge and TV stand. d. Notice there will be a spot set out for one of the dressers. The slots on either side of the dresser are your closets. 7. If you're not in class today, print the page of the dorm room you're choosing. 8. Draw in, to scale, where you'll put the furnishings. 9. Identify each item so I know what it is. Here's some cool ideas... |
Objectives and questionObjective: We will measure living spaces and furnishings to construct an ideal living space.
Literacy Objective: We will read and apply measurements to a dorm room space. Essential Question: How can you know what to bring into a living space if you've never been there before? |
Stocks and number linesJanuary 25, 2013
Today we're going to chart our stocks on a number line. To do this we'll break down our portfolios and individual stock information. Your job by Tuesday is to purchase stock in three companies and complete the number lines for thee stocks. Each should have - The stock's current price (Current) - The price you paid (Paid) - Highest price over the last month (High) - Lowest price over the last month (Low) Printable Number Line Sheet Youtube video demonstrating the assignment The images below will show you how to figure read the prices. Stock Market Challenge and Writing PromptJanuary 23, 2013
Today we're going to set up our new Stock Market Challenge. Here are the details... League Name: Business Finance Password: Valley Part I - Stock Market Challenge 1. Log on or sign up to Wall Street Survivor 2. Join the Business Finance League 3. Help a neighbor that doesn't know how to sign up. I will reward you for every student you help get signed up. 4. Purchase at least two stocks. 5. Again, help a neighbor. You'll be rewarded. Part II - Writing Prompt 1. Open and read this story 2. Girls, try not to punch the screen at any time while reading this. 3. We're going to get the obligatory writing prompt out of the way quickly this month. This assignment will be due on Friday, January 25. 4. In a document, write a two-paragraph analysis of this article. Focus on the following: a. How is this ideal home in the article similar or different from your home? b. How realistic is this? Is this the kind of home you would like to come home to everyday? c. Based on this article, compare and contrast the differences between 1954 and 2013? 5. Insert a picture into the document that portrays your reaction to this article. 6. Print or E-Mail the document to me by 11:59 pm on Friday. WelcomeJanuary 22, 2013
In this class, we will be using this website a lot. So here's what I'd like you to do today. 1. Bookmark this page so you can get to it easily. 2. Sometimes I'll give you a link to follow. Try going to one by clicking here. 3. Bookmark that link you just went to. We'll be using it a lot, too, starting tomorrow. 4. Open this document. 5. Open up your personal email. (Let me know if you don't have one) 6. Answer the questions in the body of the e-mail. 7. Send me the e-mail. My address is [email protected] 8. Congratulate yourself on your supreme awesomeness. |
Objectives and QuestionObjective: We will familiarize ourselves with classroom procedures, rules and especially why we're here.
Literacy Objective: We will write about our experiences with some of the concepts we'll be covering this semester. Essential Question: What kind of math do you use when you're not at school? |