Mr. Gordon's Business Education Courses

1. CFM (Career Financial Management)

2. Personal Law

3. Business Law

4. Mock Trial Presentations/Debate

CFM/Career Financial Management:

This Half Year course is designed to allow all students to learn a series of life skills, including preparing for work (Career Research, Resume writing, creating a full block cover letter and researching colleges), Banking (Checking and Savings use, balancing an account, basic investment), Taxes (Using a W-4, W-2, 1099, 1040Ez), Paycheck (Calculators, deductions), budgeting (Excel budget), Interviewing and legal protections, then more.  Students will complete a checklist of 16 projects/assignments as part of a final portfolio assessment as well as an exam testing their skill level.  All students are encouraged to complete this course to prepare for life after high school.

This half-year course is designed as an introduction for students interested in understanding how the law works in this country.  Students will be introduced to the history of law in this country, how the constitution was built around our concepts of the law, criminal and civil law, as well as how ethics are a part of the legal process.  In addition, during each unit, the students complete a research project allowing them to further exam each topic we study.  While for many this will be their first experience, this course is meant to allow students to be introduced to law and legal terms. Students completing this course and thinking of entering into a 4-year business major in college are strongly recommended to take Business Law as well, as Business Law is designed for further case study and more analytical study of the law.

Business Law:

This full-year course is designed to allow students to further their understanding of the law as it applies to business situations and for students to develop a deeper understanding of cases as they apply to the various topics covered in class. Students will be introduced to the origins of the law, legal systems used in this country, criminal and civil law (As it applies to both business and personal situations) and contract law.  In addition,students will participate in 2 scheduled class mock trial exercises.  The mock trial exercises will allow students to dissect a real simulated case by role playing witness roles as well as that of a lawyer. Students who chose to take business law are encouraged to complete ahalf-year section of Personal Law first, but it is NOT a requirement.

Debate, Communication and Trial Skills:

This half-year course is designed for students who are interested in real court room experience.  Learn to debate following the rules of a courtroom.  Understand what a lawyer must do to prepare for a career in the legal field.  Learn courtroom debate techniques as well as public speaking tools.  Students taking this course should have some legal knowledge (Business or Personal Law are recommended, but are NOT mandatory prerequisites) as we will use terms used in law courses as part of the process.  Students will all compete in a courtroom mock trial exercise as their final exam and grades are based on both progress within their debating skills, but also checklists showing students have an understanding of techniques used in class.