Ideas for Grade 12 essays

You will come up with ideas based on the book you have read.  The discussion on Monday, January 16 will have guided questions that can lead to ideas as well.  Your essay must have a thesis, a description of the situation, and arguments to prove your thesis.

Examples:

Personal finance should be a mandatory course in high school.

Payday loan companies such as Money Mart only prey on the unfortunate and should be banned.

Payday loan companies provide a necessary service in society.

The CPP should be increased.

The CPP should be shut down and instead people should be responsible for their own retirement savings.

If everyone does as the personal finance writers say and start to save more and spend less, Canada will quickly go into recession.

There is no such thing as "good" debt.

You should save some money every week/ month, no matter what your age or income.

The very best investment you can make is to buy a house.

You should never rent if you can afford to buy a home.

Renting a home instead of buying can be a wise financial choice for life.

When making decisions, considering opportunity cost can help you make wiser decisions
.
Gail Vaz-Oxlade and others suggest a cash only system for people with money troubles.  As money is becoming more abstract, people will lose track of their spending and struggle more financially.

Managing your spending is becoming easier thanks to e-banking and mobile apps such as Mint.

Requiem for Detroit

Write a one-page reflection on the effects of employment and the effects of unemployment, as seen in Detroit through the 20th and 21st centuries.  What are your impressions of these issues?  Discuss any other impressions you have of this documentary.

You will be marked on:
Completeness of answers                           / 5
Insightfulness of answers                           / 10
Organization and coherence of answers    / 5

You may hand this in on paper or you may send me an email with the reflection attached in a file.



If you were away you can watch Secret Millionaire instead and do the same reflection.

38 maps that explain the world

Here are some fascinating ways to look at the world economy, including the night sky map shown below.  Click on the link below the picture to see the rest.

 

 

38 maps that explain the world

Link to interactive surplus and deficit chart

Click here for interactive chart

ASSIGNMENT - Where is Canada in the business cycle?

Where is Canada in the business cycle?

Here is the link to Statistics Canada's most recent listing of economic indicators.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/indi02a-eng.htm

For more information on unemployment rates over the last few years, click on the link given in November 23rd's posting. Look at the chart for Canada vs. US unemployment rates to see where our unemployment rates have been since the 2008-2009 recession.

1) What is happening to GDP, Unemployment, and inflation? Use these statistics to support your answer. Explain what they mean in your own words.

2) Are there any other indicators that look concerning? Explain what they mean in your own words.

3) Are there any other indicators that are positive? Use these statistics to support your answer. Explain in your own words what these statistics mean if necessary.

(GRADE 12) Your assignment: Where is Canada in the business cycle? Write your answer in 5 paragraphs. Use the above 3 questions as paragraph topics and have an opening and closing paragraph. Use these indicators to support your answer.

(GRADE 11) Your assignment: Where is Canada in the business cycle? State your answer then support it by using your answer to question 1. Do not answer questions 2 and 3. Your answer should be approximately half a page, and will be easier to read if you don't make it all one long paragraph.

GDP Assignment - Time Magazine article

Is GDP an Obsolete Measure of Progress?    Read this article online then answer the questions below.  Submit your answers on paper or electronically. 

1. When was GDP developed?  What was its purpose?
2. What is the criticism that the author and other economists are making of GDP as a  measure of progress?
3. Why is GDP still used so widely?
4. Analyze 3 other indicators that could be used to measure a country’s progress.  Use an organizer similar to below.  You may need to research some information on the internet to complete it.

Name of indicator and what it stands for	Who has developed it?	What does it include?	Canada’s ranking
HDI
GPI
HPI

5.   Name 2 things someone in your family did this week that contributed (directly or indirectly) to GDP.

6.  Name 2 things someone in your family did this week that is of value but would not be counted in the GDP.

 

Links to Economic Indicators

GDP per capita (PPP)

UN Human Development Index

Nominal GDP by country

GPI

HPI


Link to GDP video