Mrs. Ward Fall 2007

peg.ward@stwendelin.org

8th Grade Religion

Course Description: This course is geared toward preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation, which will take place during the spring. It reviews many important concepts of the Catholic faith; including the sacraments, their history, and their relationship to the faith life of the students. The historical perspective of Catholic Social Teaching is taught, including the mission of the Church and the practical application of service to others. This course also teaches about the structure and history of the Catholic Church and its relation to other world religions, and the role of the missionary church.

Christ Our Life, Grade 8 level, Loyola Press, 2002

Materials Required: Students are required to bring to each class:

the course textbook school planner

a Bible highlighter, pens or pencils, including a red pen

a writing journal loose-leaf paper

Religion folder

Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to take notes, take part in class discussions, and actively participate in the school/class Masses as well as class prayer services. RESPECT is our guide for everything we do. Much of this course’s class time will be spent in discussion, and respect will be shown for others in our own comments we make, and in the reactions we show to others’ comments.

Homework: Daily homework will vary depending on the subject matter covered in class. Examples of homework are: reading assigned pages, doing the written review at the end of a chapter, reviewing what we discussed in class to prepare for a quiz, and writing a position paper about a subject. You must have the assignment with you and ready to turn in at the beginning of the class when it is due.

Grading: There will be a test over the information we highlight in each chapter we read in the book. Some material which is not in the textbook will be covered; it will be taught through guest lectures, notes put on the board, and student research. Students are expected to take thorough notes over this information. Written homework, quizzes, tests, and any assigned projects will be graded on a point system. Extra points may be earned throughout the semester as opportunities arise. Students who turn in assignments late will be docked 25% of the grade for each school day it is late. Students will receive a Class/Mass participation/conduct/effort grade which will be equivalent in value to a large test. Students will receive the full point value for this grade as long as their participation, effort and behavior warrant it.

Honesty Policy: Cheating is never acceptable, in any class. Cheating on a quiz or test or copying another student’s work (other than an absent student copying or any student comparing notes they took in class) will result in zero points for that assignment and an automatic detention.

Absence from Class: When students are absent, they are expected to come to the teacher and get the assignments they may have missed, ask the teacher any questions they have, and make up the missing work. Students should choose someone they believe takes accurate notes and get their notes or highlight the same items in their textbook in order to study. If we took notes that day, I will be happy to make a copy of the notes of the student who was here if the student asks. Students will be given the same amount of time to make up the work as the amount of time they missed (eg., one day of class missed - one extra day back to make up the missed work). This applies to written homework and setting up the time to take a missed quiz or test. Students who were absent are responsible for turning in their assignments without being prompted to do so.

Need Help? I will be available to help before or after school if you set up a time ahead. If you find you are having difficulty on tests, don’t wait too long to come and set up a time to study with me. Sometimes it just takes knowing the style of tests and quizzes to help know how to study best.

.