Mathematics of Personal Finance
Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement
Welcome to Mathematics of Personal Finance!
In Mathematics of Personal Finance, we use math to learn how to effectively manage money and make healthy financial choices as adults. We will learn about such things as credit cards, investments, insurance, buying or renting a home/car, cost of living, using graphs, formulas, and spreadsheets to organize and represent financial situations, and budgeting wisely.
This class is designed to be an alternate option for math credit for students who have opted out of Secondary Math 3. Please note that Secondary Math 3 is the math class to put students on track for college readiness. Students registered for this class should have completed Secondary Math 2 or should be concurrently enrolled in Secondary Math 2. Additionally, those opting out of Secondary Math III must have a form signed by a parent/guardian (see me if you have not received this form).
Learning Expectations
These are the major units of study each term for this class.
Term 1
- Basic Math
- Graphs in finance
- Expenses
Term 2
- Income and budgeting
- Credit
Term 3
- Taxes
- Investments
Term 4
- Healthy Money Habits
- Insurance
Assessment of Progress
Student grades will be calculated as follows:
Class work/projects – 50%
Unit tests – 50%
Description of grading categories:
Projects are things like creating and keeping a budget, filing taxes for a pretend person, or other hands-on ways to demonstrate understanding. We will work on projects during class throughout each unit.
Unit tests are typical tests given on Canvas to be taken in class at the end of each unit, testing knowledge of the same topics we learned in class and throughout the project.
Late work/retake policy:
Projects: Due the class period before the quiz, but must be turned in on or before the day of the unit quiz. Projects will not be accepted after this.
Unit Quizzes: 1 retake allowed within 2 weeks (10 school days) of original test date.
Absent for test policy:
Unexcused absence: You will score a 0. See late work/retake policy for how to make this up.
Excused absence: You must arrange an alternate test date with your teacher, on or before the day of the absence (in person or through email).
Notes policy:
Notes are allowed on quizzes.
Credit Recovery for term failure:
If you fail, but have earned at least a 30% in the class, please see the counselors to discuss a path to obtaining credit for the course. If you have not earned at least a 30%, you will need to re-take the class or take an alternate class.
Students who have earned at least 50% in the class may work with me to achieve a 60% instead of completing a credit recovery course.
- I will only work to help students pass who already earned at least 50% on the failed term
- I will only work with students on one term prior (for example, in term 3 you cannot make up term 1, only term 2)
- The maximum grade you can get if you initially failed is a D-
Course Materials
Materials needed for class:
- Binder with paper or notebook & folder
- Chromebook (charged or bring charger)
- Pencil
- Extra eraser
- Whiteboard marker
- Optional: calculator
If you would like to purchase a calculator for home that is just like the ones we have in class, they are TI-30 XS Multiview calculators. Calculators are sold online, in big box stores like Walmart and Target, and at office supply stores like Office Depot or Staples.
All assignments and materials will be available on Canvas. There is no physical text for this class.
Classroom Procedures
Class rules:
- Be respectful (to yourself, to others, and to property)
- Be prepared (have your supplies, be ready when class starts)
- Be involved (join in activities, complete work, try your best)
- Be responsible (know how you are doing in class, seek help when needed)
Tardy policy (per term):
Tardiness causes disruption to the class and causes students to miss out on valuable instructional time. If you are tardy and do not have an excused note, your attendance will be marked as follows:
T (tardy 1-15 minutes) = 15 min.
2 (tardy 16-45 minutes) = 30 min.
SK (skipping or missing more than half of instruction) = 45 min.
A (unexcused absence = 90 min.
When students reach 4 hours (240 minutes) or more of tardies (school wide), unexcused absences or skipping class, they will be put on the No Participation List. Students on the PHS No Participation List are NOT eligible to participate in any extracurricular activities. A student moves off the PHS No Participation List by attending ARC (Academic Recovery Class), recovering the instructional time missed to be below 4 hours (240 minutes).
Absence policy:
Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, missed work must be made up in order for grades to be unaffected.
To excuse an absence, parents/guardians must call (801-373-6550) or email the attendance secretary (phsattendance@provo.edu) within 72 hours of the absence. When leaving a message to excuse an absence, parents/guardians must include the student’s first and last name, date, time of day, and phone number where a parent/guardian may be reached.
Parents have the option to excuse tardies (0-15 min.) for the first period only. If students are planning to miss more than three days of school, students need to fill out an Extended Absence Form (available in the attendance office).
Students are required to communicate with the teacher to make up missed work.
Cell phone/personal electronics policy (per term):
Personal electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, and earphone are not to be used during class except when the teacher directs it. If you are using a personal electronic device without teacher approval, you will complete a personal electronics device violation slip and…
1st Violation: Warning from teacher or assigned substitute.
2nd Violation: Taken by a teacher or assigned substitute, returned at the end of class.
3rd Violation: Taken by a teacher or authorized adult, given to the main office, returned at the end of the day.
4th Violation: Taken by a teacher or authorized adult, given to administration, parent must come pick up the phone and meet with administration to get it back.
5th+ Violation: Any further violations: Administrative Consequence(s)
Hall pass policy:
One student may use the hall pass at a time and must sign it out and back in. Hall passes may not be used the first or last 10 minutes of class. Please use the bathroom between class periods and bring a water bottle to help minimize time spent out of class. Hall pass privileges may be revoked in case of abuse (excessive use, long absences, failure to return, etc.)
Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments
Due dates for assignments will be listed on Canvas with each assignment. However, for planning purposes, the following document shows my plan for the year. Please note that this calendar is a “living document” and may change as needs arise to adjust instruction.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Grades will be updated at least weekly on PowerSchool. If you suspect your grade is incorrect, please email or talk to me.
Report cards will be issued by the school at the end of each term.
Connecting Home to School
Best practice at home is to log in to canvas, check current (and past assignments), and make sure they are complete.
To check grades, look on PowerSchool.
Personal Statement and other items (optional)
Please email me at heatherwil@provo.edu if you have any questions. I am also available after school Mon-Wed 2:15-2:45 and Thu 2:15-3:00 to help students or meet with parents.