Dow down 416 pts! - Why?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 416 points on Tuesday. Explain what happened. Why did the Dow go down? How does this decline compare to other famous declines (Great Depression, 1987, 9-11)? What will you do with your stocks? Is this a time to buy since prices went down? Explain.

Opportunity Costs

In your own words, explain what economists mean when they talk about opportunity costs. What are opportunity costs? Give some examples. And give some examples from your own life.
Use these links for help. #1 - #2

Types of Economic Systems

Research and define these 4 major economic systems. Also, what is the difference between communism and socialism?
-Traditional Economies
-Centrally Planned (Command) Economy
-Market Economy
-Mixed Economy
Link to help you.

Stock Market Game - 1 - Initial Investment Strategy

Students: Explain your initial investment plan for the stock market game.
You will begin with $50,000 to invest in the stock market. You may buy individual stocks (from any stock exchange: NASDAQ, NYSE, etc.), or you may buy mutual funds or a stock index fund.
We will begin in February and end the contest in June.
Whoever makes the most profit in your class will receive a 100 as a final grade. Also, Mr. Moloney will also play the stock market game with you - anyone who makes more profit than Mr. Moloney will get 5 points added to their final grade.
There will be a $10 commission deducted from your account for each trade (buying and selling) - so you can buy and sell freely, but it will cost you a little.
Your first blog - titled - "Stock Market Game - 1 - Initial Investment Strategy" should discuss your investment strategy. What stocks are you considering? One? Two? Or many? How about a mutual fund? Which particular stocks or industries are you considering? Do you plan to be risky (perhaps small-cap or penny stocks), or conservative?
Explain your well-thought-out and researched strategy. This is the link for the game we will be playing. You will get the password later. Good luck!

Students - set up your own blog!

Students, today you will be creating your own blog page which will serve as a "webpage", where you can put all of your wonderful economics work.
Directions:
- Go to http://www.blogger.com/home.
- Click on "Sign into Blogger".
- User name should be something you remember, like maybe your name? Don't use a name or phrase that you won't remember!
- Password should obviously be something that you remember.
- Display name should be your first name and the first letter of your last name (JohnM).
- When you get to the blog name - it should be "Joe M's Economics Page", or something similiar. It should be the same as your display name. The blog name cannot be changed - so get it right the first time. Check with me before publishing your blog name.