Mythology—Spring 2015
Colony High School / Course Expectations
Mrs. Thaler—Room 109/Kelly.thaler@matsuk12.us/861-5578
Welcome to the interesting and fascinating world of Mythology!
It is a privilege and an honor to teach you this semester!
Greek and World Mythology will give you an overview of the huge collection of stories
explaining the creation of the world and the lives of the gods, goddesses, heroes and heroines.
The scope of the mythology is astounding. Starting with the birth of the world, through bloody
wars like Troy and Thebes, heroic acts of Hercules and childish pranks by Hermes, and the
touching stories of mother love in Demeter and Persephone, there are many stories to learn
about.
Greek myths have passionate love stories, adventure stories, heroic journeys, superhuman
tales, fairy tales, magical stories, tales of gods and monsters and beasts and stories of magic
and sorcery. We've inherited these myths in the form of art and literature. It's really
entertaining to discover them. And, our culture abounds in allusions, or references to
mythology. This stuff is literally everywhere you look!
Every culture has its mythology—and answers basic questions to humankind. Who are we?
How did we get here? Where do we come from? How do we explain the unexplainable?
Alaska State Standards
The states of Alaska’s standards reflect skills that are vital for citizens in the future and are the
basis for our learning. This class focuses heavily on meeting the requirements of the district’s Scope and
Sequence for reading and writing in grades 11 and 12.
Course Material
This is a Language Arts class studying from Greek, Roman, Norse, Celtic, and other cultural world
mythologies. The primary texts are Edith Hamilton’s Mythology and Prentice Hall World Literature.
Other supplementary course materials include classic Greek and Roman plays, poems, films, and the
internet.
Required Materials
Students are required to keep an organized binder, with all supplementary materials, notes, and
handouts. Bring your Mythology book and your day planner with you to class every day. Students will
be required to participate actively in classroom discussion, complete art-literature projects, and write
thoughtfully about stories we read or view in class. Also, students are to complete organized
presentations over the course of the semester.
Tests and quizzes will be given periodically, and students will be required to complete a final
project as well as a final exam. Keep all your handouts as your final exam will be comprehensive and are
your evidence of your grades.
Course Materials:
Three-ring binder, paper, blue/black pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils, poster board, texts, and
handouts as appropriate. Come ready and prepared to learn!
Grading:
This class is discussion-based with a high-emphasis on respectful student participation. You
must successfully complete our chapter study guides, creative writing, essays, response papers,
presentations, projects, presentations, discussion tables, journals, tests, quizzes, and other work as
assigned throughout the semester. Formal papers, presentations, and projects are graded according to
a rubric provided in advance. Total points earned by each student are divided by the total points
possible for the semester and a grade is assigned according to the following scale:
90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, and 59 below is an F.
Mrs. Thaler’s Guidelines for Success:
A. Be on time
B. Come ready and prepared to learn
C. Respect your rights and the rights of others to learn and
succeed
D. Work at learning
E. Ask for support
Achievement, Respect, Fun, and Freedom are key elements for success in class and in life.
Your voice is critical and valid to this class. Participate and be an active part of the process!
RESPECT=Remember Every Single Person Expects Courteous Treatment
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The Colony High School Handbook and Mat-Su District policies are consistently and respectfully
enforced in this room. Please conduct yourself in such a way that you will demonstrate ultimate
respect for yourself, other students, school staff, and the facility. In this mature academic
arena, we will engage in many thoughtful discussions.
FOR CLASS SUCCESS:
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Late work will be only accepted for half credit. Late work is defined as work that is not
physically in your possession at the time it is requested. Work is due at the beginning of class,
or when collected. It is not on time after-school, or any other time.
Graduation requires four full years of English credit. Please do not jeopardize your graduation
by not attending class or not completing work on time.
As an upperclassman, I assume that you are responsible and will handle your course work
responsibly. Please check your progress weekly on IPARENT/ISTUDENT.
Keep all of your assignments as record of your grade.
Many assignments will be posted on my CHS website whenever possible so that you may access
materials from home. Not all of my assignments are electronic.
Further, assignments must be uniquely your own. Plagiarism is not tolerated and has
consequences outlined in your CHS handbook.
Essay Success:
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All formal essays must be typed in MLA format when requested.
Major essays will be submitted in class and to www.Turnitin.com unless otherwise directed.
We will learn about MLA formatting for essays
We will learn about and practice the editing process while we write.
We will also learn about timed writes, creative writes, and response writes.
For success, keep all writing assignments. Save them properly on your student account,
jump drive, or on your home computer.
7) Any student who is unable to make it to class on the day of a major essay is due must
email the paper to Mrs. Thaler at Kelly.thaler@matsuk12.us on that day, or earlier, to be
eligible for full credit. If you are unable to print at home, print it at school BEFORE school
and turn it in on time. Late essays will be accepted for half-credit after the deadline.
Attendance
Prolonged or excessive absences affect student grades; attendance is critical to student success.
I find those who do not attend regularly often do not pass the course, or are constantly struggling to
figure out what is going on.
We will abide by the CHS S.T.A.R.T. policy for tardies.
For success, see Mrs. Thaler in advance of absences to get your work whenever possible, or get
homework immediately from Mrs. Thaler on the day of your return. You may have one day per absence
to make up the work for full credit.
I’m looking forward to a great semester. I hope you are, too!
Please sign and return the back sheet to Mrs. Thaler by ____________________________ for your first
grade in the course. Late returned sheets are ½ credit.
MYTHOLOGY
LAST NAME:
MRS. THALER
FIRST NAME:
PERIOD:
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
Welcome to a new semester at Colony High School! Please read and discuss this syllabus and honor
code with your student and then sign and return this whole page to me by _____________, 2015 for full
credit.
By signing this, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the requirements and expectations
for this course and the behavior and procedures expected in this classroom. As a student, you are
agreeing to do your best to meet these expectations set forth for you. In my years of teaching
experience, I have found these procedures and policies to be fair to students while holding them to high
standards. In many cases, this upper-elective English course determines your ability to graduate on
time. Please be aware that regular attendance is an important factor in passing the course. In addition,
please check your grade weekly on IPARENT/ISTUDENT and check my website from the CHS home
webpage for assignments and updates.
Please contact us at any time with any questions and/or concerns at Kelly.thaler@matsuk12.us; or at
(907) 861-5578. I look forward to a successful semester! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kelly J. Thaler
CHS Language Arts Instructor
I, the parent and/or guardian, have reviewed the syllabus with my son/daughter.
______________________________
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Student Signature
Date
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Parent Signature
Date
I would like to be kept informed regarding my student’s progress in English. You can reach me
at the number(s) listed:________________________________________________________________
or email me at:________________________________________________________
**I can _____________ or cannot _______________ have my picture published online for our class
website.