Mr. Tobias K. Ninson
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Sophomore Religion (2016 -2017)
St. Francis Preparatory School
Welcome to Sophomore Religion and I am excited to be your teacher. Our classroom shall be a human, reflective and intellectual community, where respect for all shall be a hallmark. Whatever your faith background, you are a treasured member of St. Francis Prep. School and I look forward to experiencing academic and spiritual growth with you and your classmates this year. I look forward to getting to know you, to working with you, and to sharing the Catholic faith with you. I want to assure you that this class does not have INDOCTRINATION as one of its objectives. With that said, allow me to use a quote from Karl Rahner to share with you my hopeful outcome of this class. “In the days ahead, you will either be a mystic (one who has experienced God for real) or nothing at all.”
DESCRIPTION
The sophomore religious education program is designed to help deepen our understanding of what it means to be a person, how we relate to God and others. As Catholic Christians, we will look to the person of Jesus as our model/guide for relating to God and others. The Bible (especially the New Testament), will be our primary source in these discussions. We will examine the invitation to wholeness, to community and to the creation of the Kingdom of God by studying the Bible and other approved texts.
Course outcomes
At the end of the sophomore religious education program, students should be able to:
· Recognize that we are all created children of God; each of us experience God in our own individual and personal ways.
· Explore and appreciate the meaning of the Catholic faith at a personal and affective level.
· Appreciate themselves as whole persons (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual)
· Understand that free will is an integral part of what makes us human, and that our moral maturity hinges on the proper development of our conscience and use of our free will.
· Be empowered to believe that their decisions do make a difference to the quality of their moral lives and affect the lives of others.
Quarterly Overview
· The first quarter will explore how we relate to others as Catholic Christians and how we experience God as individuals. Morality and the maturing process is discussed through the exploration of conscious development.
· The second and third quarters focuses on the life of Jesus and the time frame in which he lived. Studying the New Testament, specifically The Synoptic Gospels, gives us a better insight into the life of Jesus and the time frame in which he lived. Studying the New Testament, especially The Synoptic Gospels, gives us a better insight into why today, we l view Jesus as a role model of faith.
· The fourth quarter discusses the sacredness of sexuality and respect for relationships with others.
Required Materials
YouVersion app for New American Bible
**Digital text from Ave Maria Press
iPad: Sophomores will use their iPad in class for educational purposes ONLY. It is expected that all students will come prepared to class with their own school assigned iPad that will be charged prior to class. An uncharged iPad is not in keeping with class participation and will be result in deductions from the iPad participation grade.
**iPads will be used regularly for notes, class activities and digital textbook resources
A separate notebook, either marble or spiral (no loose leaf or binders). You are expected to bring this to class every day, take thorough notes and keep your notes up to date if you are absent.
Pen and Pencil for examinations and class work activities
Grading/Evaluation: Your grade will be determined by an average of each of the following:
· Two (2) tests per quarter
· About 2-3 quizzes per quarter
· 1-2 Reflection papers/projects per quarter
· Homework/classwork assignments
· Class participation
· Group work and projects
· Cumulative Departmental final exam at the end of the course
Grading:
· 50% = Exams, Quizzes
· 20% = Homework
· 15% = Papers/Projects
· 10%= Participation
· 5% = iPad notes/proper use
*If you are absent the day of an exam, you are expected to take a make-up exam the next day you return to school. All students must email Mr. Ninson to inform if you will be missing an exam due to absence.
Please be advised that sophomores will take a cumulative departmental final exam in June. It is worth 20% of your final grade that will evaluate your comprehension of the core material from Freshman and Sophomore Religion classes.
All homework, papers, and projects are to be submitted on the scheduled due date. Any assignment that is not submitted the day it is due will be deducted 5 points each calendar day. I will not accept work after a full cycle from the due date. Any missing assignments will result in zero for a grade.
Class attendance at St. Francis Prep is a major priority. All students are required to complete all required work even if they are absent. If a student is absent from class 6 or more times for any given quarter, this will be considered excessive absence. This will result in a mandatory 5 point deduction from the quarterly grade. Please be advised classes missed due to lateness or early dismissal will be included in this group.
Please see me with any questions or concerns, especially with any assignment!
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