Class Information
What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? Who am I? Why is there suffering in the world? Does God exist? What am I called to do with my life? Is there an afterlife? These are Ultimate Questions that many of the world's religions examine. Some of their answers are similar, some are quite different. We'll take a look at how each of the world's major religions address these questions through their beliefs, worship, practices, and moral codes. We'll also discover how these religions came to be as well as how they have an impact on life today. Get ready to experience faith from a different perspective!
Conduct Expectations:
Daily Routine
• When the second bell rings everyone should be in their seat SILENTLY journaling on their daily reflection assignment on the board.
• Class discussions or activities
• Recap of the day's lesson or major points
• Make the room look great for the next class and turn in any papers
Classroom Protocol
• Students will be considered tardy if they come to class unprepared without materials or they arrive after the second bell. You will not be admitted without a slip from the Front Office or the teacher who held you over. If the door is shut, please do not knock. Wait there until whatever we are doing is finished and then I will open the door for you.
• Students who come to class not in the proper dress code will be asked to leave to correct the problem. Learn to dress professionally for your role.
• Bathroom breaks are a disruption during class and should only be taken if it is an emergency, which means this should happen RARELY.
• Listening is a crucial skill to develop and is respectful of others. Only one person should be talking at a time. Side conversations are RUDE and unacceptable.
• Cheating in any form is unacceptable. If you cheat:
- you will receive a zero on the assignment/quiz
- your parents and the assistant principal will be notified
- you will still need to complete the assignment to work towards mastery of the material but it will be for no credit
• Class does not end when the bell rings, it ends when I have dismissed the class after making sure it is neat and orderly for the next group just as you found it. Don't shut your brain off early!
• You may not leave the room to go to the computer lab or library during this class, regardless of what we are doing, unless I have arranged for you to do something for this class. Don't even ask.
• RESPECT ~ for each others, for each of the religions we are studying, and for any guests we may have.
• Gum ~ in addition to a school detention, you will be cleaning the desks in the classroom.
Succeeding in This Class:
• The key to success in this class is taking thorough notes. Come in prepared to take notes; review your notes every night to reinforce what we covered in class; be sure you understand what you have written.
• Study Guides will be given out with each unit. Review notes and the day's class in light of these.
• If something does not make sense, ASK QUESTIONS, or . . . make sure you look very confused!
• You must also come to class having read the assignment for the previous night. If you do not read, you cannot do well on tests and you cannot participate in class discussions, two essential components of your grade (that's two strikes). Use some of the reading strategies we'll discuss in class to make sure you comprehend what you're reading.
• Go for QUALITY WORK. Don't simply do the assignment just to get it done, it's tempting but you're worth more than that. Give me your best stuff. This will take DISCIPLINE and TIME MANAGEMENT. If you need tips on these, I can give you suggestions (I still struggle with these, too).