GRADE 9 RELIGION: STORIES OF FAITH
Mr. Anderson - Fall 2009
Relating the Stories of the Bible to our own Life Story
This course is an invitation to reflect on the many stories of faith found in the Christian Scriptures, to see how they continue to shape generations of people, and to find ways to relate these stories to our own life story.
Some of the questions that these stories should raise are as follows:
What can these stories teach us about our own world and the challenges we face each and every day? What do they tell us about the nature of God? Do they inspire us to believe in something more than our own wants and needs? What do these stories say about what it means to be a better human being? What can these stories teach us about the benefits and dangers of religion?
Evaluation for the course work will be as follows:
Knowledge & Understanding 30% This includes tests, quizzes and all exercises that measure student's knowledge and understanding of the course material.
Thinking & Inquiry 25% This includes reflections, assignments, and homework that focus on thinking and inquiry.
Application 25% This includes reflections, assignments, and homework that focus on applications of ideas and concepts learned in the course.
Communication 20% This includes creative assignments, presentations and all aspects of the student's presence, participation and involvement.
Reflections: Every two weeks students will write a personal reflection on the assigned issue we are exploring in class. It should be 250 words and typed.
Home Work When completed that evening, and ready for the next day's class, students will receive full grades; one day late homework gets half credit.
Term work will be valued at 70% of the final grade.
The final assessment and exam combine for 30% of the final grade.
First Assignment -- Fall Semester 2009
Re-telling the Myths in a Personal Way Due: Friday September 25th, 2009
You are to pick and re-tell in your own words two mythological stories drawn from two distinct ancient traditions that deal with similar issues and questions. They can be myths dealing with creation, the loss of innocence, myths about the gods, myths about heroes, myths dealing with how evil and war came into the world, or even myths about how the world might end. Your paper should be four pages, typed and double spaced.
Part 1. Should be 2 pages typed:
After you choose your two related myths, you must write these myths in your own words and include at the beginning of each a quote taken from the original source ; you must also be sure to include the source of reference where you got the original copy of the myth.
Part 2. Should be 1 page typed:
Then you must write a page comparing and contrasting the two separate myths you have chosen and written. How are they similar? How are they different? Why do two separate traditions tell similar yet distinct stories?
Part 3. Should be 1 page typed:
Finally, on your final page, explain what you have learned about myth in general from this project. Do each of the myths have a true lesson or message to teach? Do you think myths are still important today and why?
You are welcome to use the class website to get information on your particular theme or myth which is found under the bonus section of the grade nine course work.
WEBPAGE: http://teacherweb.com/ON/RFHCSS/KevinAnderson/
