Week of Nov.28-Dec.5

Hi Gr.10's,

This week we will continue studying Credit and the real cost of it. On Friday you didn't have much time on the computer, so on Monday you will be given class time to continue exploring the credit card simulator games. You'll also do two online quizzes on Credit 101 and how credit savvy you are, as well as compare credit cards online. Click on each of the links below for quick and easy access:

Credit Card Simulator Game
Quiz: Credit 101
Quiz: "How Credit Savvy Are You?"
Compare Credit Cards

Following that you will be assigned a credit activity that requires you to research the cost of buying a car. As it is double block on Monday, you will have ample time to work on this and should be able to finish by the end of the second block. The next assignment you will be looking at is the cost of buying a house/getting a mortgage. You will be given class time to work on this as well. I have links for both of these assignments under the "Important Links" on my webpage. They are:
     How to Lease a Car
     How to Finance a Car
     Realtor.ca >Find a House
     Mortgage Calculator

You can expect a quiz on Credit this week as well. I'm aiming for Wednesday so be sure to review your notes package in the days that follow.

See you in class!

PS. Don't forget, your Mock Interview is no longer this Wednesday Nov. 30th. It has instead been rescheduled to Wednesday, January 4th (the 2nd day back after the break).

Week of Nov.21-25

Hi Grade 10's,

This week first off on Monday you will be having a quiz on banking services. Read through your booklet thoroughly. Ensure also that you know the 7 required parts of a cheque. Please be sure to study, because the last quiz many of you bombed!!! :(

Following the quiz, we will quickly finish looking at balancing a cheque book like we did on the computer on Friday, before we move on to the next chapter, Personal Finance & Budgeting. You will need a calculator so ensure you remember to bring one to class!!!

We should be able to finish this by about Thursday for sure, whereupon we will start the next chapter on Consumer Credit.

Again, we are moving fast through this unit in order to allow us enough time for the remaining, more fun and interesting units. However, understanding your personal finance is incredibly necessary for you in your adult lives. Anyway, my point is this is important and we don't have a lot of time so be present, physically and mentally, and be ready to learn!

See you in class :)

Week of Nov.15-18

Hi Gr.10's,

Last week you had a lot of assignments due, as we wrapped up the Career & Post-Secondary unit of the course. Ensure that you hand in any missing work tomorrow/Tuesday so that you do not fall further behind.

Over the long weekend I have marked all of your cover letters and resumes and gave you a mark. All of you will have to make any appropriate changes (see my comments/suggestions) and print out a new copy of each to take to your Mock Interview on Nov.30th. Also, do not lose your cover letters or resumes. You should have both a paper copy as well as an electronic copy for future reference. You will be updating your resume throughout your lives, so keeping a copy will save you a lot of time and work!

This week we are starting Personal Finance. Since I have worked at a bank for the last 5 years, I have a lot of insightful knowledge on how banking, savings, etc. works. I have a lot of material to cover and will have to move quickly through it! Ensure that you are in class everyday and pay close attention. I want to finish this unit by the end of next week, if possible. You will need a calculator for this unit, so ensure you bring one to class each day.

BRING ME!!!

This unit will cover:

• Savings Plans- Benefits & Types
• Investments- Types, benefits & risks
• Everyday Banking & Financial Services
• Budgeting
• Credit
• Financial Plan- post-secondary costs & first year budget
• Sources of income
• Reporting income tax

This is a really important and highly relevant unit, as you will all have bank accounts, you'll all need credit, and you'll all need to know how to manage your money!!!

See you in class!

Week of Nov.7- Nov.10

Gr.10's,

There are a number of assignments that are due or are overdue, which MUST BE HANDED IN ASAP!!! Many of you are falling behind and your grade is reflecting that! Need I remind you that this is a required course for graduation??! I shouldn't have to. It's your mark and your time you're wasting if you really want to have to take this course again! It's up to you! I'm just saying...

Please see the Due Dates reminder on the left-hand side of this page to see what is due.
First, the Random Act of Kindness initiative project that was assigned over a month ago is now due! Is yours finished and handed in? Don't forget about your Transition Plan that was due last Friday as well!

Second, last week you should have finished your Career Research project (booklet + brochure) and wrote cover letters for the job postings you found as part of Activity 6 in the booklet.  The first draft of your cover letters were due on Friday Nov.4th. Only half the class turned them in for me to assess over the weekend. The idea was that I would have time to look at them and then would give them back to you to improve before handing them in for a mark. If you didn't get yours handed in, you have lost the chance for me to provide helpful feedback for you. That's right- you will take the mark you get on your first draft so you really have to proofread on your own!! See- timing matters! You had more than enough class time to get your cover letters done in class, so there are absolutely no excuses for not being done! On Monday I will pass back the cover letters that were handed in to me Friday. Your revised draft/good copy of the cover letter is DUE TUESDAY NOV.8th.  No exceptions!

Third, on Monday we will be starting Resumes. You will have Monday and Tuesday in class to work on these. We will do peer evaluation, and you may ask me for advice/suggestions/proofreading in-class.
Your resume will be due on Thursday Nov.10th.

Fourth and finally, we will be spending Wednesday and Thursday on Interviews and Interview Skills/Questioning! This will help you  prepare for your Mock Interview which is the end of this month- Wednesday Nov.30th in the library in Period 3. No exceptions, no lates. DO NOT forget!!

Mock Interview-Wear Business Attire

You should be checking your closet now for dress clothes/shoes, that would be appropriate for this mock interview. Remember the guidelines I gave you. I don't expect you to have a full suit, but dress pants/skirt collared shirt/blouse, and dress shoes is something you should have by now if you don't already. You will need these types of clothes sooner or later. Don't leave it until the last minute!

If you are missing any previous work/assignments, ensure you get caught up on those ASAP! We still have a lot left to cover in this course. If you don't catch up now, you WILL be left behind! Don't let that happen to you.

See you in class. Be ready to work!