Mythology—Spring 2012
Colony High School / Course Expectations
Mrs. Thaler—Room 109/Kelly.thaler@matsuk12.us/861-5578
Welcome to the interesting and fascinating world of Mythology!
Greek 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 Greek myths 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
mythologies. The primary text is Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. Other supplementary course materials
include classic Greek and Roman plays, poems, films, and the internet.
Required Materials
Students are required to keep an organized notebook, or binder, with all supplementary
materials, notes, and handouts. 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, markers, colored pencils, poster board, texts, and handouts
as appropriate.
Grading:
Study Guides, response papers, presentations, projects, presentations, discussion, journals, tests,
quizzes, and other work is assigned and graded 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 and below is an F.
FOR SUCCESS:
Late work will be accepted for a week after its original due date for half credit only.
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.
Many assignments will be posted on my CHS website whenever possible so that you may access
materials from home.
A Note About Writing…
Papers submitted successfully on time which fall below a 70% according to the rubric may be
returned to the student for rewriting and resubmission of the paper at a time agreed upon by the
teacher and student. The maximum grade for a rewrite is a 70%. A student failing to submit a paper by
the agreed upon deadline will receive the original grade. The student is responsible for keeping current
on other assignments while the paper is being rewritten. (Tests and other assignments which fall below
70% according to the criteria may not be retaken or reevaluated.)
Further, assignments must be uniquely your own. Plagiarism is not tolerated and has
consequences outline in your CHS handbook.
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.
The Colony High School Handbook and Mat-Su District policies are consistently 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.
Your Job and Responsibility:
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.
Mrs. Thaler’s Guidelines for Success:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Be on time
Come ready and prepared to learn
Respect your rights and the rights of others to learn and succeed
Work at learning
Ask for support
Achievement, Respect, Fun, and Freedom are key elements for success in class and in life.
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 page to me by Friday, January 6th, 2012, 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
Student Signature/Date:
Parent/Guardian Signature/Date:
Parent EMAIL address:
Comments/Questions?