Classroom Policies

Pentateuch-Classroom Policies
Welcome
Welcome to high school! During your high school years at ICS, you will be privileged to take four Bible courses. I am privileged to teach you from God’s Word, specifically the first five books that serve as an introduction of God’s plan to glorify himself throughout the earth and redeem creation from the results of the Fall. There is no other class or book that is more important to study. I also hope that we can have fun and experience the joy of the Lord together as we learn and grow in our understanding of the Lord as he progressively revealed himself to the participants found in the Pentateuch and to us.
Structure of the Class
We begin virtually every day with an opener of some kind. You may be asked to reflect on your reading homework, form a written comment about a class discussion from the previous day, take a review quiz to show your understanding of recently covered material, etc. Whatever the “opener” may be, come to class prepared so that when class begins, you can begin.
About every two weeks you will be given a quiz. The quiz will be announced and will require some studying. The quiz will cover the unit. Class time will not be given for a review. Classroom activities and homework assignments will be given to help me know whether you understand the unit material and it will help you prepare for the unit quiz. After several units, I will give a test that I will review for in class. I will try not to give tests on Mondays so that you can enjoy your weekend!
Units: Each unit will be approximately 3-4 weeks long.

1 –God’s visible creation (Genesis 1-2)
2 –God’s invisible creation – angels, cherubim and seraphim
3 –Human rebellion (Genesis 3) and other creation stories
4 –God’s judgment and promise (Genesis 4-50)
5 –God’s redemption (Exodus 1-14)
6 –Worshipping God (Exodus 15 - Leviticus)
7 –God’s people moving (Numbers and Deuteronomy)
9 –World religions (Islam, Buddhism & Hinduism)
10 –God’s plan of salvation (Romans)
11 –Christ’s supremacy (Hebrews)

Syllabus
A syllabus will be provided each week that will give a plan (plans can and often change) of what will be covered. I will try to write homework on the board, but the syllabus can also be used to ensure that you have the homework assignment. The syllabus should be posted outside of my room so that you can have access to it even when the door is locked or another class is in session. I will also try to use my Pentateuch blog to post the syllabus so that you can access information wherever you have an internet connection. The blog’s address is http://pentateuchics.blogspot.com/.
Assignments and Grades
All assignments are to be done independently unless otherwise noted. Independently means that you do not have help on the assignment. When you submit an assignment to me, I am evaluating what your understanding of the material is, not what someone else has contributed. I am concerned with my ability and competency to teach you and your





effectiveness to learn. Independent work helps me to assess both of these elements. There will be plenty of chances for group work-both inside and outside of the class. Students must have a NIV Bible and they can use blue or black ink or a pencil to complete assignments.
Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class unless otherwise directed by me.
Participation points will be given each week. Students can participate by listening in class, asking questions, discussing when appropriate, affirming other students, working hard in a small group/cooperative learning setting, etc. You’ll get full credit for participation points if you arrive to class everyday and are engaged. If you have more than two excused absences a week, you will not receive a grade at all (different than a zero) and your absence will not be counted against you.
Expect one significant assignment a quarter. This may be a project, a paper, a group assignment that involves multiple steps, or a presentation. The point of these more significant assignments is for you to pursue learning at a deeper level while integrating a variety of skills (i.e., research, writing, public speaking, etc.) into the learning process.
Please submit all assignments or tests with your given and family name on the first line, followed by the course title on the second line, and the date on the third line.
Name Jeff Corson
Class Pentateuch
Date in Proper Form 20/7/2007 or 20-7-07
Your total grade will be broken down as follows:
Tests: 40%, Projects: 20%, Daily Assignments and Homework: 20%, Participation: 10%, Community Service: 10%
General Rules
-Water is allowed in the class as long as it is in a closed water bottle. No other drinks are permitted.
-Respecting others demonstrates that we are made in God’s image and therefore are valuable to God. Disrespecting others demeans them and does not honor God’s image that he has given them. Debate and discussion are an essential part in learning the material for this class, but interaction with ideas and the people who hold them should always be done respectfully. Let’s create a accepting, affirming atmosphere in which we can all (including me) can learn.
-Leaving the class to use the restroom is acceptable, but you need to ask just so that you can leave at a good time. Often there may be a good time in the coming few minutes. If I expect students are leaving the room for other reasons, I will change this rule to fit the class.
-Extra credit is not generally offered. However, if there are extenuating circumstances, I may allow students to complete additional assignments as a substitute for learning that was missed when the situation is extreme and beyond the student’s control.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns: kditzenberger@ics.edu.sg
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Please return this within the first week of class for 5 points credit.

I have read and understood the Classroom policies of Mr. Ditzenberger’s Pentateuch class.

_______________________________________ Signature of Parent or Guardian _______________Date


_______________________________________ Signature of Student _______________Date

Week 1 Syllabus

Lesson: Introduction to the Pentateuch
Time: 5 Periods
Unit 1
Week: 1 Dates: August 13-17
Objectives:
1. Students will understand the importance of observation in studying the Bible.
2. Students will understand and practice the inductive Bible study process.
3. Students will explain and analyze the themes of Genesis 1.
Materials: NIV Bible by Wednesday, http://pentateuchics.blogspot.com/
August 13, Monday
1. Opener: How does a person know something is true? (5 min)
2. Seating Chart/Attendance (5 min)
3. Discussion of opener. (5 min)
4. Introduction of me! (5 min)
5. Introduction of syllabus and class policies(10 min)
6. NIV by Wednesday.
7. Questionnaire (5 min)
8. Answer the blog poll by Friday at 8:00 am.
August 14, Tuesday
1. Opener-Can God be studied? If so, how? What ways? (5 min)
2. Introduction of Induction method. Apple or orange. (5 min)
3. Pair up and discuss what things in your life are worthwhile studying, then we'll discuss as a group. (10 min)
4. 3 steps of induction method (5 min)
5. Great thinkers and scientists are great observers. (5 min)
6. Three observation steps applied to Genesis 1:1 (15 min)
August 15, Wednesday
1. Review: tell someone what the three steps are and give an example of each one from yesterday's exercise of Gen 1:1 (5 min)
2. Lesson and application of emphasis, repetition, connection, similarities, and dissimilarities (5 min)
3. Repetition activity-Genesis 1:1. (20 min)
4. Discussion of activity (10 min)
August 16, Thursday
1. What is your favorite movie? What is the first ten or so minutes like? (5 min)
2. Genesis One handout. (15 min)
3. Lecture: Genesis 1. (20 min)
4. Homework: Memory verse quiz tomorrow: 1:1, 1:27, 1:31
August 17, Friday

1. Quiz-memory verse. (5 min)
2. Quiz. Review of main points of the week. (5 min)
3. Review of week one. A discussion of main points. (10 min)
4. Picture of anything in Genesis one. (10 min)
5. “Days” discussion. (10 min)