OLD TESTAMENT

Spring 2008

 

Text:                    Written on our Hearts, by Mary Reed Newland, St. Mary’s Press

                       

Materials Needed:    Notebook and binder

Bible

 

Course Description:  

            The Old Testament contains the roots of Christian faith and provides a mirror of our own faith and experiences with God.  This course is meant to provide students with a deeper and broader appreciation of the Old Testament, its style, content and message.  It is designed both to insure that students are familiar with the stories of the Old Testament and to analyze the meanings of the stories as they explain the faith history of Israel as they come to know God so that we may apply those lessons to our own faith journey in coming to know and love God

 

Projects will include:  Psalm-a-Day; What’s in a Name (finding the meaning of your own name & choosing a name that represents you); Abraham’s Family Tree; Desert Journey Journal; Book report of a novel about an Old Testament character                       

 

 

Class Expectations & Policies:

As we are about to begin what will hopefully be a four-year relationship as teacher and student, I think it is helpful for both of us if we are clear from the beginning about our mutual expectations and roles.

           

As your teacher, you can expect from me that:

1.                   I will do my best to make the classes interesting and fun

2.                   I will strive to be fair and consistent in my dealings with all students

3.                   I will listen to your input and questions regarding class material (at the appropriate time)

 

As a student, I expect that you will:

1.                   Be prepared.  Students are expected to have read all assigned material by the beginning of the class period and be ready to discuss it.  Unannounced quizzes may be given over the reading material at any time. 

2.                   Turn assignments in when due.  Assignments are expected to be turned in at the beginning of class on the date due.  Late assignments will be graded as follows: One day late = 25% off; two days late = 50% off.  I do understand, however, that despite the best intentions, you may not complete an assignment on time.  Therefore, each student will be issued ONE late assignment pass to turn in late work without penalty.  No late assignments, however, will be accepted after that graded assignment has been returned to the class, even with a Late Pass.                                                                  If you have an excused absence, I will expect all assignments due on the day of your absence to be turned in at the first class period after your return.  It is your responsibility to get homework assigned on the day you missed.  Missed assignments will be due one week from the time of your return to school.  Students with an excused absence will not be required to make up any in-class graded activities and such grade will not be included in their total points.

3.                   Show care for your work.  This means writing legibly in full sentences with correct grammar and spelling. 

4.                   Do your OWN work!  Copying homework is one of my pet peeves.  Most questions will require some thought on your part and it is highly unlikely that any two students will have the exact same answer.  If I determine that ANY answers on a homework assignment are copied from another student, both the copier and the copyee will receive a zero for the entire assignment.  Copying from an internet site also will result in a zero.

5.                   Participate in class.  Questions are welcomed and highly encouraged.  Answering questions shows me that you are prepared and involved in your education.  Your opinions and thoughts matter and the more you participate, the more you will enjoy the class and the more you get out of it.

6.                   Do not disrupt the classroom.  Only one person should ever be speaking at the same time.  Questions or comments that are inappropriate, ill-timed, disrespectful, or a distraction to the class will not be allowed.  Talking during lectures will result in disciplinary assignments, detentions and, after three offenses, removal from the classroom.

7.                    Be courteous when others are speaking and respectful of others’ opinions. Rude, insensitive or inappropriate comments and interruptions can result in demerits, detention or removal from the classroom.

8.                   Students are expected to abide by St. Wendelin’s dress code and code of behavior as described in the Student Handbook.