This hands-on course equips students with essential life and technology skills needed for adulthood. Students will begin by using PowerPoint (Keynote) to create a presentation highlighting three potential career paths of interest, ultimately selecting one to explore more in depth. From there, they will research job requirements, explore real job applications, and learn how to write a professional resume and cover letter using Microsoft Word (Pages).

Students will participate in a mock Zoom interview, where their performance will determine a projected starting salary based on their chosen career. Using this salary, they will build a practical monthly budget in Microsoft Excel (Numbers), gaining experience in key financial literacy skills such as expense tracking, saving, and planning.

In the final week, students will apply their budgeting skills by planning a grocery trip within their budget, preparing a recipe, and sharing a meal together while reflecting on what they’ve learned throughout the course.

This course is considered a core class and carries 0.5 credit. Students should expect 4–5 hours of homework per week. Grades are based on the completion and quality of assignments and projects. Because each project builds on the previous one, all work must be submitted on time.

By the end of the semester, students will have foundational experience in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel (or Apple equivalent program), along with practical, real-world skills in career readiness and personal finance. This course is best suited for students who are willing to challenge themselves and commit to putting forth their best effort.

Students will be required to do about 4-5 hours worth of homework a week.
Student are required to bring a computer to every class that either runs Micrsoft Office or Apple Programs.


Technology Requirements
Laptop required every week (not a tablet)
Required Computer Software: Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) or Apple equivalents (Keynote, Pages, Numbers) required
Charger required.
Reliable internet access at home for homework.
Students are required to have their own Google account in order to access Google Classroom.
Google Classroom will be used for:
Assignments
Homework submission
Announcements
Due dates
Class resources
Grading
Students should check Google Classroom daily Monday-Friday for each days assigned work. All assignments will be posted in Google Classroom and organized by class day.

Homework Expectations
Approximately 4–5 hours per week outside of class.
Homework is not optional and is necessary to earn course credit.
This course is project-based, and each assignment builds upon previous work. Timely completion of assignments is essential for success.
This course includes required work every day Monday through Friday. Homework assignments will be posted in Google Classroom and are designed to be completed in manageable daily portions. Staying on schedule is essential, as each day's work builds on the previous lesson and each project builds on the one before it.
Students should expect multiple short quizzes each week to assess their understanding of the material covered in class and through other assignments.
Parents are encouraged to help students establish a consistent homework routine and ensure they come prepared for class each week.

Internet & Online Resources
This course makes extensive use of online resources to support learning. Students will regularly watch educational YouTube videos, access instructional websites, complete online activities, and use web-based tools as part of their assignments and projects.
All videos, articles, and online resources assigned in this course have been reviewed in their entirety by the instructor and selected for their educational value and age-appropriate content. While every effort has been made to provide safe and appropriate resources, parents should be aware that students will be navigating a variety of reputable educational websites throughout the semester.
Students are expected to use the internet responsibly and remain on assigned websites and resources during class and while completing coursework.

Attendance
Because this is project-based, attendance is very important.
Missed classes may require additional work at home to stay caught up.
Students are responsible for checking Google Classroom after an absence.

Communication
Best way to contact the instruction is through email at learningwithmrskidd@gmail.com. *Please note: When emailing please include admin email also mc2mentoring123@gmail.com.
Mrs. Ashley will respond to emails within 24 hours. Please plan questions accordingly if you need help on projects.
Students should communicate questions before assignments are due.


Grading (weighted by category)
Weighted Grading: This course uses a weighted grading system, meaning some assignment categories contribute more to the final grade than others. For example, major projects carry more weight than quizzes because they demonstrate students' ability to apply the skills learned throughout the course. Students should strive to perform well in every category, while recognizing that larger assignments have a greater impact on their overall grade.

Participation 15%
Assignments 30%
Projects 45%
Quizzes 10%

Supplies Needed
Laptop
Charger
Binder for handouts/projects
Pencil/pen

Skills Needed
Basic typing ability.
Willingness to learn new software.
Ability to read instructions carefully.
Ability to manage deadlines independently.

Course Credit
Counts as 0.5 high school credit for transcript weight
This is considered a core course with regular homework expectations.

Final Project Expectations
For the final project students will plan and prepare a budget-friendly recipe to share on the last day of school.
Arrange transportation to and from a grocery store.
Purchase the ingredients needed for their recipe (students are responsible for the cost of ingredients).
Create a grocery list and shop within the assigned budget.
Compare prices and make cost-conscious purchasing decisions.
Prepare their selected recipe independently.
Bring the completed dish to class on the assigned date to share with classmates.

To Summarize Parent & Student Expectations

Students should expect approximately 4–5 hours of homework each week outside of class.
A laptop computer (not a tablet) capable of running Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) or Apple Keynote, Pages, and Numbers is required every class, along with the charger.
Students must have reliable internet access at home to complete assignments.
Google Classroom will be used for assignment, announcements, due dates, resource materials, and assignment submission. Students are expected to check Google Classroom several times each week.
All homework assignments will be posted in Google Classroom and organized by class day. Students are expected to complete each day's assignment by the end of the week unless otherwise noted. Because each day's work builds on the previous lesson and each project builds on the one before it, staying current with assignments is essential for success in this course. This class requires students to be actively engaged, manage their time responsibly, and submit work on time. Falling behind on assignments will make future projects significantly more challenging.
Parents are encouraged to help students establish a consistent homework routine and ensure they come prepared for class each week.
Attendance is important, as in-class instruction and activities cannot always be fully replicated outside of class. Students who miss class are responsible for checking Google Classroom and completing missed work promptly.
Students are expected to complete their own work and demonstrate integrity in all assignments.
By enrolling in this course, students are committing to developing practical life skills, technology proficiency, and personal responsibility through consistent effort both in and outside the classroom.