This course provides opportunities to learn and experience a variety of topics in the field of business. Students are exposed to the economy, basic business skills needed in the real world, marketing, career options, personal financial planning, college aid, resume building, and business management and leadership. Course activities will focus on Total Participation Techniques to engage all learners in the classroom. Students will utilize various resources to research, problem solve, and demonstrate a strong understanding of the topics. The course will be heavily focused on real world application of the material. Therefore, we’ll have projects based on where the content will apply in the real world and help students shape a “true” understanding.
Unit | Timeframe | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) | Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
US Economy | September | How does the US Economy function? What is Supply and Demand? | The US Economy as a free enterprise and the freedom to create business in our country. Students A key concept that we cover is Supply/Demand and how it dictates |
Pay/Checking Accounts and Credit Cards | October | What is Gross Pay and Net Pay? Once you make money, where do you put it? Opening a Credit Card and determining how to use it correctly. | The ability to determine how much money a person obtains in their paycheck Basics of Checking Account functionality and fees, and best student choices Credit Card, how to borrow and pay on time and full to keep a strong credit score and take advantage of rewards |
Buying a House | November | What is a down payment? Terms of a mortgage. Location and factors on buying a house | Understanding how to review the ingredients to buy a home, including the major points such as saving for down payments. Knowing the mortgage options people can use to pay for the house and over what amount of time |
College Choice and Financial Aid | December | Researching College How much does it cost and can you supplement your cost structure? | Ability to find schools and how to analyze size, cost, majors, and whether a good fit for students. Financial Aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, work study and private loan options |
Resume | January | Key points on writing a resume Dos/Don'ts of organizing the material | Basics on resume structures, what categories to use and how to have proper word usage within the resume. Gain the ability to evaluate a good versus a not so good resume through examples and videos on this topic taught in the lesson |
Interviewing and Presentation Skills | February | What to do when going to the interview? How do you properly present to different types of audiences? Google Slide Skills for Presentations | Communication skills emphasized to help students learn how to have an effective interview STAR technique, taught to help students learn how to answer situational questions Worked on Google slide templates and free form to learn how to produce an effective and impactful presentation |
Mock Budget and Marketing Products | March | Income and Expenses How to save money on a monthly basis, what are the ingredients? 4 P’s of Marketing Effective Marketing and impact on citizens in the US and globally | Understand the key points to be able to budget money once a student starts to earn and have expenses. Teach the options, such as phone apps and other electronic ways to make your personal budget successfully. Marketing process, help students understand how to influence people to buy whatever the product might be that is being sold Reviewing influential marketing schemes so students can see how to run solid marketing plans used by professionals |
Retirement | April | Social Security and 401K Plans Pre-Tax contributions and compounding interest | Give students an understanding of how to save for retirement through different plans, primarily 401K’s, but all essential plans are covered. Break down the long term benefit of starting early and what to invest in, what choices employer’s offer and how to decide |
Soft Skills and Elevator Pitch | May/June | Value of Soft Skills versus Hard Skills How do you pitch yourself to potential networking partners | The importance of using soft and hard skills to find success in college and careers Discuss networking and how to use these skills to succeed and find opportunity in life. |