Sophomore Religion: The Paschal Mystery

Class Expectations

Mr. Dlugosz (Dew-gush)

Materials Needed

1.  Texts:

·  The Paschal Mystery: Christ’s Mission of Salvation, Brian Singer-Towns

·  The New American Bible (online at http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/)

·  Catechism of the Catholic Church (online at http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm)

2.  A dark blue/black ink pen, a red pen, and a number 2 pencil with clean eraser

3.  Single-subject notebook for this class only

4.  Pocket portfolio in which to store all assignments, quizzes, exams and projects

5.  Routine access to a computer for research and to check and type assignments

Grading System

A cumulative point system is used to calculate individual letter grades. Every graded assignment will be returned in the form of a fraction: the denominator indicates the number possible while the numerator represents the total points achieved. The semester grade is determined by a 40–40–20 ratio.

Quarter Grades

·  Homework Assignments include study guides, worksheets, review
questions, activity sheets, video worksheets, oral presentations, summaries, outlines, and so forth.

·  Quizzes Expect a quiz following every reading assignment: ten objective questions worth 30 points.

·  Exams Tests are given at the conclusion of units – generally about every three weeks.

·  Participation Students are routinely expected to contribute to classroom discussions. Consequently, everyone should acquire at least ten participation bonus tickets per quarter in order to receive full participation credit. Additional participation points will be calculated as extra credit points.

Success in this class

As we begin our study of this course I presume that everyone desires to succeed – doing your best with the gifts God has given to you. To that end, allow me to make the following suggestions:

1. Complete all assignments. Be conscientious about completing every assignment as incomplete grades quickly erode one’s grade average. When completing assignments it is important to follow the exact directions. Creativity is encouraged, however, check with me first to discuss alternative ideas.

2. Prepare for tests and quizzes carefully. Since a significant amount of the quarter grade is based on testing (including quizzes and exams) students will need to spend quality time preparing for class. Because of the amount of content covered in this course it is important to review the material two or three times per week, not just before the exam. Success doesn’t just happen, it takes serious effort. If you have special accommodations for exams and quizzes, or you would like some guidance on test-taking, please talk with me privately.

3. Speak with me if you begin struggling with the material presented in the class. Do not wait for a small problem to become a bigger one. “The squeaky door gets the oil.”

4. Take careful notes. Note taking is for your benefit, not mine. They are an important reference tool to use when reviewing. These are given formally in PowerPoint presentations as well as informally through the conversations we share in class. Watch and listen for clues which emphasize important information. Your style of note taking is personal, but be sure to develop good skills by noting things transmitted through lectures, visuals and discussions.

5. Watch for opportunities to earn bonus points. Every grade in class is given a point value related to the level of expectations. You may earn bonus points (up to ten percent) in those instances when you put extra effort into an assignment such as providing extra information or giving additional examples, sharing a related personal experience, asking probing or clarifying questions, attending or viewing a related program outside the classroom, sharing related news items with the class, and the like.

Deportment

1. Respect: Be polite to everyone: peers, substitutes and guests. Respect the property of
others including school, teacher, and peers. Students should ask first if they wish to
change desks, window coverings, or temperature. Please do not rock on the chairs.

2. Student Handbook: Observe all school rules as explained in the student handbook, especially regarding dress, appropriate language, food, and drink. I ask that students please not chew gum in class.

3. Tardiness: A student is tardy if s/he is not in the proper seat when the bell sounds. If delayed by a staff member, please request a hall pass. A teacher detention is issued after the second tardy per semester and every tardy thereafter. Leaving class to use the restroom or drinking fountain during the class period will be treated as a tardy.

4. Seating: Each student will be assigned to a specific desk. Please advise me of any special circumstances that require you to sit in a particular location. Changes will be made by the teacher if the need arises.

5. Attentiveness: Students are expected to be attentive during classroom activities. Completing work for other classes or putting your head down on the desk is unacceptable.

6. Academic Integrity: Cheating is a form of dishonesty and is never acceptable. School policy on cheating is explained in the handbook. Remember: any time you present someone else’s work as your own – or assist someone in doing so – in whole or in part, it is considered cheating. This includes copying someone else’s responses on assignments or handouts.

7. Evacuation Route: For fire drills room 219 exits right to the south stairwell and out to the senior parking lot. For weather drills room 219 exits right to the south stairwell and down into the library. Emergency drills must be taken very seriously and should be observed in silence. Please familiarize yourself with these routes.

8. Detention: Students required to stay after school for various matters (e.g. misconduct, gum-chewing, etc.) are expected to report to the teacher within five minutes after the school day ends. Students may serve the detention on the day of the infraction or the following day. If there is a conflict please speak with me privately. Failure to serve a teacher’s detention results in two morning detentions.

Academic Expectations

1. Class Preparation: Bring required materials to every class meeting even if you think
you may not need them. This includes the text book, notebook, and handouts.

2. Assignments: Homework assignments will be conspicuously posted on the whiteboard.
Students should take note of this daily. Selected assignments may be typed with the teacher’s permission and should always include the proper heading noted here. Points will be deducted for missing/incomplete headings.

Homework is accepted up to two days late but is marked down twenty-five percent for each day unless a student has made special arrangements with the teacher. It is my goal to be fair and consistent in grading student work.

3. Absences: Students absent from class are expected to monitor assignments by checking the teacher webpage for this class at www.marianhs.org. Many of the documents distributed in class may also be found at this website. You may contact the teacher via email at: . Upon returning, it is the student’s responsibility to speak with me on the day s/he returns. Please note: if you miss this class period but are in school for some part of the day, you are expected to turn in, and find out about missing assignments. Further, if you know of an absence or early dismissal in advance (e.g., vacations, field trip, counseling, doctor appointment, retreat, sports, etc.) you are expected to notify me beforehand. You are not excused from that day’s, nor the following day’s, assignment, quiz, or exam. No grades are exempted.

4. Grades: It is the student’s responsibility to speak with me about poor,
missing, or incorrect grades. Save all graded work in case of a grade
discrepancy. Check Parent Connect at least every two weeks.

5. Teacher Availability: It is usually best to speak with me about make
up work or personal concerns either before school or after school.