Student+Page

= Student Page =

**Math tips for success:** 1) Show your work whenever possible and as much as possible. Even if you get the final answer wrong, I can give you points for the work you did. Showing me your work also lets me know where the problem went wrong (if it did go wrong) so we can fix it. 2) Feel free to email me or any math teacher for help. Stay after school or come before school for help. We are here to help you! Use the discussion portion of this wiki to ask your classmates questions. I can guarantee your math grade will benefit if you go the extra mile to get help. 3) Look back in your book! If all else fails, take a look at the examples in your book. Do not take your homework home without taking your math textbook. Your parents will be more likely to help you if you take your textbook home. 4) Take notes during class! You think the example problem is a waste of time to write down? I guarantee you will be wishing you had that example problem when it comes time to do your homework. I don't expect you to memorize things on the first day I teach them to you. I give you example problems so you can look back and use them to complete your homework.

**Math standard we are working on this month:** Select and use appropriate arithmetic operations in practical situations including calculating wages after taxes, developing a budget and balancing a checkbook. 1) The math standard we are working on this month is completely related to real-life. Feel free to ask an adult for help with your homework. It's likely that your parents or guardians will have dealt with taxes, budgets, and checkbooks before. Ask if you can see their checkbook. Ask if you can balance their checkbook! 2) Remember that when creating a budget you need to be realistic. Although you might want to spend $200 paying off a Camaro, it is unlikely that you'll be able to live off the 20 or so dollars you have left for the month. The point of the budget exercise is to get you thinking about the future. 3) When completing the budget exercise, don't forget that although you get paid $10 an hour, that doesn't include taxes. Here is an example of how to find out your real paycheck. I get paid $10 an hour and I work 35 hours a week. $10 X 35 hrs = $350 per week Uh oh, taxes are a reduction of 11%. $350 X .11 = $38.50 So I really get paid: $350 - $38.50 = $311.50 4) When deciding on how much money to save for food each week, you might want to take a look at a Jewel or Dominick's ad. If you haven't gone grocery shopping before, the price of food may surprise you. The money you save for food each week is also the money you use to go out to eat. If you go to Olive Garden the first day of the week, you might be using up all your food money for that week. You need to closely examine your priorities. If you're a big eater or like to eat out a lot, you might sacrifice some non-necessities like money for clothes, shoes or an expensive car. 5) Part of this budget exercise is to help you determine what you're going to do after high school. Take a look at the wages for non-college graduates. Ask yourself if you're limiting your opportunities by going straight into the workforce after high school.
 * Math strategies for success:**

Budget Exercise due 12/16/09
 * Homework:**

**Extra credit:** Balanced Checkbook due 12/18/09