Class Code: 6RAM    HS Level
Teacher: Jeanette Ferguson
Teacher Email: ajb_ferguson@yahoo.com
Description:

** This class consists of two semester courses paired together. Registration includes both classes.**

============== FALL =====================
DAVE RAMSEY (FALL SEMESTER) Materials Fee: $35

** COURSE FEES INCLUDE: Video Series In-Class Viewing, Required Workbook, Hand-Outs/Copies **

This high school course covers personal finance through an engaging and age-appropriate video series taught by Dave Ramsey. This informative and entertaining program, which meets state standards and national guidelines, includes a comprehensive student workbook and a wealth of resources.

Course Expectations: 
By the end of the semester, students will possess a basic understanding of the dangers of debt, the benefits of budgeting and saving, and consumer awareness. If time allows, we may cover additional topics such as insurance, income taxes, giving, and money and relationships.  Students are expected to complete short homework assignments, be attentive in class, and participate in class discussions.

Teacher Provides:
* Video Series (In-Class Viewing)
* Student Workbooks (Ramsey Education Solutions - Foundations in Personal Finance: High School Edition)
* Hand-Outs/Copies

Students Provide: Pencil/Pen for notes

Prerequisites:  N/A

Workload:  Weekly homework expected to take no longer than 1 hour.

============= SPRING ========================
CAREER EXPLORATION (SPRING SEMESTER) Materials Fee: $35

** COURSE FEES INCLUDE: Required Textbooks, Individualized Binder/Tabbed Dividers,  John Holland’s Self-Directed Search® (SDS®) Online Career Assessment and Resources, Hand-Outs/Copies **

Course Introduction:
This class is for those who have fully planned and prepared for their future, AND for those who are feeling a bit lost, apprehensive, or undecided. 

* Advanced students will be able to focus on universal career preparation, planning, and acquisition, honing their personal skills, and even exploring potential alternatives, should their current plans change.  Additional resources, easily found at local libraries, will be discussed and encouraged for all students (I will also have a few loaners to circulate), but emphasized for those benefitting from further engagement.  

Course Description:
Using the popular 'What Color is Your Parachute?: for Teens' as our manual, we will explore life after high school, and what can (and should!) be done right now to prepare for that transition. 

The class will be tailored to meet each student's talents, abilities and aspirations: from challenging technical trades and universities, to inspiring apprenticeships and beyond, burgeoning freshmen to graduating seniors will learn how to best plan today for tomorrow. 

Coupled with our manual, each student will receive a copy of 'Careers: The Graphic Guide to Finding the Perfect Job for You', which utilizes a friendly, colorful presentation to help us easily examine the vast array of choices available. 

Topics covered in our course will include areas such as:

- Interview planning (What makes you special?  How can you improve the organization with your presence?  Where can worthwhile employment be discovered?)
- How to discover your best (and marketable) skills: Love to swim?  Swim Instructor, Navy SEAL, US Coast Guard, or Personal Trainer might be for you! .... Love to Skateboard?  Quick judgment, risk assessment and planning abilities, are just a few of the significant strengths you are using!  Together, we will examine the everyday to detect the extraordinary in each one of us.
- Personality inclinations: It matters!  Extrovert, introvert, or somewhere in between... Who, what, how are we motivated to excel?  Do we thrive in massive throngs, or crave the solitude of individuality?  The renowned 'Holland Code' exercise will help us uncover our natural leanings. 
- Also included: Ideal work environment, goal setting, social media resources (hint: Use caution, it's forever!), post-graduation educational choices (while college is not always necessary, further education IS, and trade school, apprenticeships, mentoring are only some of the options!) 

Expectations:
Assignments completed, and ready for class discussion, will be necessary, with OPTIONAL extracurricular reading on leadership/life skills as student time allows (suggestions will be given)

Prerequisites: Desire to learn and grow together!

Workload: Required homework will be light, but important for student progress (approximately 1 hour).  Students willing and able to invest more time (through optional reading) will increase the course's benefits.  Our 'Parachute' manual contains 12 short chapters; we will work though one together each week, supplementing with our 'DK Careers' guidebook.

Teacher Provides:
* 'What Color is Your Parachute?: for Teens', by Carol Christen and Richard N. Bolles
* 'Careers: The Graphic Guide to Finding the Perfect Job for You', a DK (Dorling Kindersley) resource
* Individualized Career Planning Binder/Tabbed Dividers
* John Holland’s Self-Directed Search® (SDS®) Online Career Assessment and Resources

** OPTIONAL Resources (not included in Material Fees): **
Will be discussed in class, and may be borrowed from the library (ideally prior to class commencement).  I will also have a copy or two to loan, but with multiple students in class, please try the library first.

'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie

- The classic and INVALUABLE resource for people who live and/or work with people, and expect to continue this lifestyle in the future.  How to make the best of interpersonal relationships, motivate others, and reduce stress

'Who Moved My Cheese?: for Teens' by Spencer Johnson

- A short story on how we deal with change and transitions, and why it matters

Biography:

As a homeschooling mom of 16 years, I believe I have learned as much as I have taught.  Our 3 children share their contagious excitement for learning with myself, Ben, my husband of 20 years, and our two kitties (Honey and Cocoa).  My educational background includes receiving both a BSA and MSA, in Accounting, from Eastern Michigan University… with a Minor in Philosophy.  My English teacher mother has always promoted diversified interests!  I grew up with a flashlight under the covers every night, often reading to my little sister on the bottom bunk.  My own parents home-educated for my elementary years, an experience that is one of my fondest memories, and helped cultivate my lifelong love and appreciation of education.  Complete with museum visits, musical endeavors, and summer camping trips (in a tent!), I truly was blessed by my childhood.  We never had spare financial resources, but we always had plenty of love, kindness and respect in our home.  These priceless memory treasures are the same I hope to replicate and gift to my own children, and yours too, should I have the privilege of teaching your student.

Details:

Class meets on Monday from 2:30 PM to 3:25 PM