Period 6: Last Day for Mr. Fritz, Class Recap

Sunset over London, in 2007 as I was studying abroad there. I am very sad to be leaving teaching at Westview and also excited to be able to travel to one of my favorite cities in the world next month!

Dear class,

Thank you for a wonderful last day, full of fun, laughter, and a bit of learning. I will really miss you all - so much so that I will probably be back the very next class to check in and help out Mrs. DeFrance Gilman. I hope you enjoyed my time as your long term substitute teacher, because I thoroughly enjoyed working for you. On to the last recap!

Soundtrack: "Thankful" by Kelly Clarkson. I always have this at the entrance music for my last classes, because I truly am thankful for the all the blessings, and the lessons that I have learned with everyone! Lyrics (some of which I read to the class) here.

AGENDA 4/26/13:
Final Jeopardy
Letter to Mrs. DeFrance Gilman
The Long Goodbye

Homework: Keep in touch! Work hard for Mrs. DeFrance Gilman!

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Final Jeopardy: I loved this so much. It is always fun to play - congratulations to Team 1 for winning the friendly competition! As a reminder, the categories were: What is Economics?, Free Enterprise, Demand, The Class, Mr. Fritz, and "Places in Pictures."

A little loud and rowdy (I'm sure Mrs. Carpenter loved it next door), but that was okay.

Letter to Mrs. DeFrance Gilman: After the game, I had you write to Mrs. DeFrance Gilman, who will take over teaching our class next week. I just wanted you to introduce yourself, say a bit about what you have learned so far in Economics, how you liked me as a teacher, and what you would like to see from her as a teacher. I will try to get these to her this weekend (as promised, I haven't looked at them).

The Long Goodbye: At the end of class, I said a few words about how grateful I was to be able to teach your class, and talked a bit about ways in which you can stay in touch with me, if you would like to. I am not sure how long I will continue to have the Beaverton school district email, so if I do not respond to that, you can write to me at lukefritz64@gmail.com - I would love to help look at papers, give advice on school stuff, or just check in!

I also talked about social media, because I know that students are aware of my presence there. So yes, a good way to follow what I will be up to is bookmark and/or follow me on twitter, here: @LukeFritz64 on Twitter - I made sure to explain that what I post on twitter is NOT teaching - it is my own commentary and should not be seen as factual. Also, if you want me to follow you, let me know. I will just assume that you do not want me to unless you tell me. Another social media site that I am on (also publicly, so you can follow without me following you, if you want) is www.instagram.com/LukeFritz.

We talked in class about my role (just like any other adult that works with students) as a mandatory reporter, meaning that if you post something that threatens your own life or others, or about physical, mental, or sexual abuse, I am required by law to contact Child Protective Services to try and get you help.

In general, I would love to be a resource to help you and keep in touch in the future! I hope to see everyone again soon. Please keep working hard for Mrs. DeFrance Gilman the rest of the year!

Until next time, thank you so much again! :-)

Period 6: Demand, Day 5

This is the room inside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Constitution was created amid much debate and discussion. Sort of like class today!

Hi everyone,

Not a whole lot to recap from today, since it was almost entirely a discussion about the answers to the Chapter 3 test on demand. I will try anyway!

Soundtrack: "At Last" by Etta James. Selected because this is my last week as a long term substitute here at Westview this year. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/24/13:
Warm Up
Chapter 3 Test Review
Merchants of Cool

Homework: Check the blog! Your work for notebook check #3 was due to be turned in today in class.
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Warm Up: #18 in your notebook. Why do many taxi drivers quit early on rainy days? - Quotas! Opportunity costs!

Chapter 3 Test Review: This took FOREVER. I felt under siege as a teacher at some points. I think we eventually cleared most of the answers up, but I do have to go back and give more credit if we agreed upon it. I am sorry to everyone that had a hard time staying engaged while many in the class felt the need to shout out answers and rationale.

Merchants of Cool: At the end of class, we began to watch the PBS Frontline documentary "Merchants of Cool" - we will keep going with this next class. Here is the worksheet to download (finish the first three questions if you missed class):

Google Drive - Merchants of Cool Worksheet

See you on Friday, for my last class as your official teacher! :-)

Period 6: Demand, Day 4

Here's something that illustrates the concept of demand rather well: a large pineapple pizza. My favorite food!

Hi everyone,

I am typing away quietly while everyone is working hard on the Chapter 3 test! I hope that it went well for you! On to the recap:

Soundtrack: "Three More Days" by Ray LaMontagne. Chosen for today because not only was today the Chapter Three test, but at the start, I had three days left teaching your class! Lyrics here.


AGENDA 4/19/13:
Chapter 3 Review
Test

Homework: Notebook check next class! Check the blog!
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Chapter 3 Review: At the start of class, I tried to go over the main concepts of the chapter again. Your Chapter 3 packet was due today. If you have not done it yet and need another copy, here it is:

Google Drive - Chapter 3: Demand Review Packet

I hope I was able to get the main points out of the way, even with barely being able to talk.

Test: The rest of the class was devoted to the Chapter 3 test. Thank you for your focus here! I will get these graded and back to you next class, on Wednesday.

Period 6: Demand, Day 3

A picture at Disneyland that I took in 2007, which relates to the warm up question today!

Hi everyone,

I apologize that I could barely speak today in class - my voice was just about shot after the first two periods of the day! Luckily, today was mostly about completing the Chapter 3 review packet. Please finish it as homework, if you did not get to complete it today!

Soundtrack: “I Will Buy You A New Life” by Everclear. This song mentions the "West Hills" of Portland. Obviously connected to the concept of demand. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/17/13:
Warm Up
Demand Video
Chapter 3 Review
Merchants of Cool

Homework: Keep working on review for the Chapter 3 test on Friday. Notebook check next class! Check the blog!
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Warm Up #17: “Why do many amusement parks not charge extra for their most popular rides, even though there are always long waiting lines for them?”

Think about what would happen if children kept demanding to go on their favorite rides. Eventually, parents would have to say no, and then what would happen?

Demand Video: I played this video from the St. Louis branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, which helps explain some of the main concepts in the demand chapter visually, in a different style than the book or PowerPoint:

YouTube.com - "Demand" - The Economic Lowdown Video Companion

Hopefully this helped you understand the concepts better!

Chapter 3 Review: The rest of class was devoted to completing the Chapter 3 review packet. If you missed class, or somehow lost the packet, you can download a copy here:

Google Drive - Chapter 3: Demand Review Packet

This is due at the start of next class.

Keep studying and be prepared for the Chapter 3 test on Friday! Let me know if I can clarify anything!

Period 6: Demand, Day 2

One of the articles we were analyzing in regards to demand today was about fresh vegetables. Here's a nice salad full of vegetables that I enjoyed at JFK airport in New York, in 2010.

Dear class,

Like I said at the start of the day, today was largely a work day for getting the demand article analysis done and starting up the Chapter 3 review packet. Hopefully the vocabulary and concepts around demand are starting to make sense!

Soundtrack: “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow. Selected because you can think of the concept of demand as something like what people want to do with their money. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/15/13:
Warm Up
Demand Article Analysis
Chapter 3 Review

Homework: Keep working on review. Check the blog!
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Warm Up #16: “Why do many fast food restaurants promise a free meal if you are not given a receipt at the time of purchase?”

The answer here is that restaurants are giving the consumer an economic motivation for monitoring the cashier (in that they will not steal the money) for free.

Demand Article Analysis: In class, we were analyzing three different articles as to how they relate to the concept of demand. Here are the two documents you need to do this, if you missed class:

Google Drive: Demand Article Analysis Assignment

Google Drive: News Articles to Complete Demand Analysis (First 2) and the Third Article

We reviewed these briefly in class (the answers need to be in your economics notebook, please), then we moved on to:

Chapter 3 Review: At the end of class, I passed out the Chapter 3 review packet. We will keep working on this next class, in order to prepare for the Chapter 3 test on Friday. Here is the packet, if you didn't pick one up in class (I have plenty of copies if you want to start next class) and want to try and get some done before Wednesday:

Google Drive: Chapter 3 Review Packet

See you on Wednesday!

Period 6: Demand, Day 1

This is a picture of two slices of pizza that I enjoyed in New York City in 2009. Pizza is a great example of diminishing marginal utility. One slice is very high in desirability. The second slice might be high, but not as high. Thank goodness there wasn't a third slice in this scenario, because I don't think I would have been able to eat it!

Dear class,

Yeah, it was one of those days with a lot of lecturing about content. I know it was not the most interesting class. I'll try to find different ways to help you understand the concepts. Hopefully, reading this recap and checking out the PowerPoint will be beneficial for you!

Soundtrack: “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. Selected because the last slide of the PowerPoint was about changes to demand. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/10/13:
Warm Up/LT Check
Chapter 3 PowerPoint
Demand Article Analysis

Homework: Finish the financial collapse paper if you have not done so (due by tomorrow if you want to not have a zero on it for your quarter grades). Check the blog!

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Warm Up/LT Check: As the class was answering the warm up question, I went around and checked to see who had done the Chapter 3 Learning Targets, for a note card on the Chapter 3 test. The warm up question for today (#15 in your notebook) was: Why do most department stores place men’s fashions on the lower floors and women’s fashions on the higher floors?

Chapter 3 PowerPoint: I tried as best as I could in class to explain this carefully and thoroughly. If you do not understand the terms and concepts, please let me know and I will try to explain them again! I think I might have to come up with another illustration of the shift in demand charts, as that one seemed to be difficult. Here's the PowerPoint, if you want to review it:

Google Drive: Chapter 3 - Demand PowerPoint

Knowing these concepts are key to passing the Chapter 3 test!

Demand Article Analysis: We didn't have a whole lot of time to start with this, so we will do most of the assignment in class next week. If you missed class, here is the assignment: we are reading three articles that have to do with demand (in some way), and writing in your notebook about them.

Google Drive: Demand Articles Assignment

Next class, I will link to the three articles we are analyzing. Just come to class ready to work on this next week, please.

Thank you!

Period 6: Financial Collapse, Day 6

The warm up question today was about the tuition rates at really excellent universities. This is a picture I took at Princeton University, where my brother went to college. This was actually his dorm building!

Hi everyone,

A fairly good work day in class. I do think many of you need to manage your time a bit better, because many students were not able to finish the financial crisis paper today. Please get it in to me ASAP.

Soundtrack: “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC. Selected for today because Chapter 3 is about Demand (what people want). Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/8/13:
Warm Up
Financial Crisis Final (Due at end of class)
Chapter 3 LTs

Homework: Finish Chapter 3 LTs for notecard on test. Check the blog!

Warm Up #14: Why don’t top-ranked private universities charge higher tuition than many of their lower-ranked counterparts?

If the question is confusing, think: why doesn't Harvard charge double what Princeton charges for tuition?

Financial Crisis Final: In case you spaced on this and need to see the assignment again, here it is:

Google Drive - Financial Crisis Final Essay/Visual Assignment

This was due at the end of class. If you did not finish, please turn it in to me ASAP (it will go on your third quarter grades).

Chapter 3 LTs: We are moving on to a new chapter in the textbook! If you missed class, please download the Chapter 3 Learning Targets and complete them for Wednesday:

Google Drive - Chapter 3 Learning Target Assignment

Be ready to go on these next class! We will review them with the PowerPoint and start studying up for the Chapter 3 test, which will probably be next week.

Period 6: Financial Collapse, Day 5

Part of the podcast we listened to today had to do with the housing market in New York City. I took this picture in 2011, of some apartments in NYC. I really like the black and white here!

Dear students,

A day of finishing and moving on. Plenty of stuff to go over, so read on!

Soundtrack: "In the Deep" by Bird York (from the Crash soundtrack). Selected because it is nice and calming and because it has to do with crash (like the financial crash). Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/4/13:

Warm Up

Capitalism: A Love Story

Financial Collapse Final

Finish Bad Bank

Homework: Finish one page of the Financial Collapse final project (a two page written paper and visual representation). Be ready to complete the rest within 30 minutes or so during class on Monday.

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Warm Up: This should be warm up #13 in your notebook. The question was: "Why is the proportion of aluminum cans recycled in Brazil much higher than in the United States?"

Great to get back in the swing of things with this. Lots of great possible answers thrown out, as usual!

Capitalism: A Love Story: We finished the movie (there was only about 5 minutes left) and went over the answers on the worksheet. If you lost the worksheet, here it is to download. If you missed some or all of the movie, you can watch it online here.

Financial Collapse Final: Before finishing with the NPR podcast, I passed out the assignment for the end of the financial collapse unit, which you can download here:

Google Drive: Financial Collapse Final Assignment

Basically, I want you to write a two page paper (it is okay if it is typed, two pages, double spaced) about the financial crisis in 2008. What happened? Use at least five of the terms we defined in class. You should also give your opinion on the 700 billion dollar bailout at some point.

Finally, you should make some sort of visual representation of what happened in the crisis.

Try to have the majority of this done by Monday, so you can finish it in class!

Finish Bad Bank: For most of the rest of class, we listened to the last part of Bad Bank, the NPR podcast that helped to explain the crisis. Check it out here, if you missed it (transcript also available at the site):

ThisAmericanLife.com - "Bad Bank" Podcast

It appeared to me that most of the class was paying attention to this, instead of writing (which was fine), so I decreased the homework for a bit.

Next class, you need to bring in your economics textbook, as we are going to start Chapter 3! Have a great weekend!

Period 6: Financial Collapse, Day 4

One of the places that Michael Moore goes in Capitalism: A Love Story is here, the National Archives building in Washington DC. I took this picture on Spring Break in 2010.

Hi everyone,

It was so nice to have you back in class today! I hope your breaks were nice and positive. Hopefully you are rested and ready to finish out the semester!

Soundtrack: "Welcome Back" by Ma$e. Selected today for obvious reasons. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/2/13
Spring Break Report
Capitalism: A Love Story

Homework: Read the blog! Turn in any missing work!
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Spring Break Report: Instead of a warm up, we went around the room and said one thing we liked about the break and one thing we didn't like. It was great to briefly hear about what you were up to!

I also updated all of the grades on the board. The notebook check #2 and Chapter 2 Learning Targets were the newest entries. You should know exactly where you stand in my class! Third quarter grades are due next week.

Capitalism: A Love Story: We just about finished the movie today in class (we maybe have 10 minutes left). Again, so many of the themes and concepts that we have been talking about with Chapter 2 (on free enterprise) and with the NPR podcasts were referenced! In case you missed today, here is a link to watch the movie online.

Your worksheet should be just about complete at this point. If you somehow lost your worksheet, you can print off another copy here:

Google Drive - Capitalism: A Love Story Worksheet

See you on Thursday!