MACRO+INDEPENDENT+STUDY


 * __ AP Macro - Independent Study -- Spring 2016 __**
 * Welcome to your Independent Study Guide for AP Macroeconomics at Penn Manor HS

These are the expectations for those earning I.S. credit in the Spring of 2016.

Overall, your time will be divided into 4 main phases ||

1. **Independent Coursework** -- From January 29 until April 22nd 2. **Progress Checks** – throughout the course
 * Goal: to master the content of the AP Macro curriculum (equivalent to a 100-level college Macroeconomics course).
 * Workload: self-guided, pacing schedule provided below
 * Assignments:
 * Read over Course Outline and Course Description for AP Macroeconomics (can find online)
 * Familiarize yourself with the essential terms, concepts, graphs...
 * Read/Review materials/notes/graphs from provided content modules along with any other resources you find helpful (prep books, learnerator, ACDC Economics videos on youtube, other online resources)
 * Essentially, you job is to follow the schedule and master the content as best you can.
 * Goal: You must check in with Mr. Meier/Mr. Hertzog at least once/week
 * Workload: self-guided, pacing guide provided below
 * Assignments:
 * Content modules have been posted on the wiki and provided via flash drive.
 * Your job is to read and learn from these modules, stay on pace, check your understanding with practice problems at the end of each module, & use effective strategies to help master the concepts
 * § Some of you may find it helpful to take lots of notes, while others may find success with less notes but more time learning through online resources/videos/…
 * § Whatever you decide, you must be able to provide //__EVIDENCE__// that you actually spent enough time working through the topics in each module, and that you have gained sufficient understanding.
 * § I have prep block 1, and can usually be found in room 308
 * § I am also available during most homerooms or right after school. During blocks 2/3/4 may work sometimes, but that will depend on what we are doing in AP Micro class.
 * § You should always feel free to email or ask about times that work well for progress checks. Once you find a time that works well, we could set up a weekly meeting.
 * § Sometimes, you will meet with Mr. Meier, and other times you will meet with Mr. Hertzog. Mr. Hertzog will be a tremendous resource for you, as he has taken more classes in Macro than Mr. Meier has (and much more recently).
 * § These meetings are often informal, but very important. You may be asked to briefly talk about
 * § (1) what the concepts you are learning, and what has been easy or challenging
 * § (2) the workload/assignments
 * § (3) any resources that would be helpful to you
 * § (4) any questions you have.

3. **Multiple Choice Simulations** -- April to May
 * You may benefit from using a Test Prep book for review and to make sure you have essential content. I recommend Barron's, 5 Steps to a 5, or AP Achiever as the three I believe present the content best... but most of them will do the job. I have loaned out a few already, and have some options if you are looking for additional review materials and/or practice tests.
 * Goal: To ensure you are prepared to earn a 5 on the AP Macro Exam.
 * During this time, you may borrow practice exams to take on your own.
 * You will also take either 2 or 3 proctored, timed exams in the final few weeks before the AP exam. You must take 2, may take a third.
 * Must be scheduled ahead of time, but can be completed during a free block, HR, or after school as we are available in school.
 * These will be averaged, and scaled (as we did in Micro) -- so if you are on pace for a 5, it will be entered as a 90-100%, 4=80-89%...etc.

4. **FRQ Journal** – Due by May 5th
 * As we did in Micro, as soon as you get close to finishing the last few units, I will provide you with a document listing many past FRQ’s from AP Exams. You’ll use these to answer a target # of FRQs as best you can.
 * These problems should also prompt you to ask questions as you run into more difficult problems. Mr. Meier or Mr. Hertzog will be glad to help work through these questions as they come up.

5. **After the Test**
 * Workload will obviously decrease
 * You will complete a few small summative tasks that may ask you to:
 * Provide advice to future Macro students
 * Evaluate the pros and cons of this independent study course
 * Help create a resource that would help future Macro students to succeed.

**__ Grading: __**

67% -- Scaled Average of the Macro Exams (what you are on pace to score)

33% -- Progress Checks and work done throughout the course.

** AP Macroeconomics – Independent Study (Tentative) Schedule **

o Modules 1 to 7 (as needed) – Due February 5th
 * ** Unit 1/2 (Refresher) – Basic Economic Concepts/Supply and Demand **

o Modules 10, 11, 12 – Due February 12th o Modules 13, 14, 15 – Due February 19th
 * ** Unit 3 – Measurement of Economic Performance **

o Modules 16, 17, 18 – Due February 26th o Modules 19, 20, 21 – Due March 4th
 * ** Unit 4 – National Income and Price Determination **

o Modules 22, 23, 24 – Due March 11th o Modules 25, 28, 29 – Due March 18th o Modules 26, 27 – March 25th
 * ** Unit 5 – The Financial Sector **

o Modules 30, 31, 32, 33 – April 1st o Modules 34, 35, 36 – April 8th
 * ** Unit 6 – Inflation, Unemployment and Stabilization Policies **

o Modules 37, 38, 39, 40 April 15nd
 * ** Unit 7 – Economic Growth and Productivity **

o Modules 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 - Due April 22nd
 * ** Unit 8 – Open Economy: International Trade and Finance **

You must take 2, and have the option to take 3. Must be taken under timed, proctored conditions 1st simulation exam by April 29th 2nd simulation to be taken by May 6th 3rd simulation (optional) may be taken anytime, just arrange a time with Mr. Meier
 * __ AP MACRO SIMULATIONS __**

// After you take a simulation, you are **STRONGLY** encouraged to come in to look over the exam, examine the questions you missed, and work to improve your score on the next test. //