On Excellence
“All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare, said a wise man. If so, what happens to excellence when we eliminate the difficulty and the rarity?”
- Edward Abbey, “Down the River” in Desert Solitaire [1]
“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”
- Pearl S. Buck
“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
- Aristotle
Read:
Benjamin Hoff, “The Crooked Tree”
Mark Donald Ludwig, “Look out for more Blairs”
Bill Puka, “Student Cheating: As Serious an Academic Integrity Problem as Faculty-Administration Business as Usual?”
Nancy Gibbs, “Reading Between the Lies: A young reporter who stole and made up stories forces the New York Times to take stock”
After Reading:
Where does value come from? What causes something to have value? How do we achieve excellence? Or do we ever achieve excellence? Do you feel pressure to achieve excellence? Is cheating a result of these pressures for excellence?
After considering the readings and the previous questions, write a 1-2 page essay on the topic of your choice dealing with concept of excellence. Use quotes or ideas from the articles to support your position.
[1] Ballata, Phyllis. “On Excellence” Writing from Life: Collecting and Connecting. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing, 1997. 60.
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Grammar for College Syllabus - Quarter 4 2008
Grammar for College
Marshall High School
Instructor – Mrs. Konjura
Course Description
This one-term grammar course is open to 11th and 12th graders who would like to strengthen their grammar skills before beginning their college education. The course will include a review of the mechanics, grammar, spelling, and usage, vocabulary, and writing skills necessary to be a successful writer using and referring to the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing rubrics and/or to aid in "testing out" of entry-level college composition courses. Since this course is intended for “college bound” students, assignments, topics, and requirements will revolve around such intention.
Behavior Expectations (Classroom Rules)
1. Be Prompt and Prepared
2. Respect Rights and Property of Others
3. No Food or Drink allowed – only water
4. Display Positive and Productive Character
Cheating/Plagiarism
Whether you are heading to college or into the business world, integrity is an important characteristic to possess. Therefore, cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. According to the student handbook, those caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive zero points for the assignment and their parents and the principal will be notified. No opportunity will be given for students to regain points lost due to this offense.
Late Work
Since this class is intended to prepare you for college, NO LATE WORK will be accepted for credit. All assignments in the Writing Assignment/Projects and Tests/Quizzes categories must be completed in order to pass the class; however, only half the point value will be given for completing the work. If you are gone, you are responsible for completing the missed assignments within two days of the absence and taking the initiative to find out about missed assignments.
Assignment Groups
The assignments for this class will be separated into the following groups: Participation – 10%; Daily Work – 20%; Writing Assignments/Projects – 35%; and Tests/Quizzes – 35%.
Participation/Attendance
When admitting students, colleges look for students that have the potential to be leaders, work well independently and cooperatively, and are reliable. In order to help you improve in these areas, participation is worth 10% of your overall grade. You are expected to present information and join in and lead class/small group discussions. Your participation, effort, and attitude will be a factor in determining participation on a daily basis. Any sleeping, talking, or lack of focus will result in zero participation points for the day.
Attendance also fits into this category. You will receive one point for each day in class. Not present; no points. You may make up five absences by turning in one box of tissues. These do not count as extra credit.
Course Outline
Week Grammar Vocab Theme Writing Topic
March 31 – April 4 Chpt. 8 All About College College Writing
April 7 - 11 Chpt. 9 Education “What is Education?” p. 11
April 14 – 18 Chpt. 10 Math/Science “On Excellence” p. 60
April 21 – 25 Chpt. 11 Politics “On Thinking” p. 56
April 28 – May 2 Chpt. 12 (No Vocab) “ ”
May 5 – 9 Chpt. 13 Literature “ ”
May 12 – 16 Chpt. 14 Sports/Leisure “On Reading” p. 71
May 19 – 23 Chpt. 15 Weather/Geography “ ”
May 26 – 30 Chpt. 16 On the Move “ ”
Grade Updates
I rely on the fact that parents and students check their progress in this course by using the parent portal. Therefore, I do not print out weekly grade sheets. Students are welcome to consult me on their progress before class, after class, before school, or when we have a free moment in class.
`
Grading Policy
A 95.5 – 100 C 76 - 73
A- 90 – 95.4 C- 72 - 70
B+ 89 – 87 D+ 69 - 67
B 86 - 83 D 66 - 63
B- 82 – 80 D- 62 - 60
C+ 79 - 77 F 59.9 and below
NOTE: Extra Credit assignments will not be given anytime throughout the course of the quarter. You must plan accordingly and turn in ALL assignments on time. You must complete all tests, quizzes, writing assignments, and projects to complete and pass the course.
I want you to read this course outline and share it with your parents. I encourage your parents to call with any questions or concerns at 537-6920. I can also be reached over e-mail at diane.konjura@marshall.k12.mn.us. Get ready for a great quarter!
Mrs. Konjura
Marshall High School
Instructor – Mrs. Konjura
Course Description
This one-term grammar course is open to 11th and 12th graders who would like to strengthen their grammar skills before beginning their college education. The course will include a review of the mechanics, grammar, spelling, and usage, vocabulary, and writing skills necessary to be a successful writer using and referring to the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing rubrics and/or to aid in "testing out" of entry-level college composition courses. Since this course is intended for “college bound” students, assignments, topics, and requirements will revolve around such intention.
Behavior Expectations (Classroom Rules)
1. Be Prompt and Prepared
2. Respect Rights and Property of Others
3. No Food or Drink allowed – only water
4. Display Positive and Productive Character
Cheating/Plagiarism
Whether you are heading to college or into the business world, integrity is an important characteristic to possess. Therefore, cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. According to the student handbook, those caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive zero points for the assignment and their parents and the principal will be notified. No opportunity will be given for students to regain points lost due to this offense.
Late Work
Since this class is intended to prepare you for college, NO LATE WORK will be accepted for credit. All assignments in the Writing Assignment/Projects and Tests/Quizzes categories must be completed in order to pass the class; however, only half the point value will be given for completing the work. If you are gone, you are responsible for completing the missed assignments within two days of the absence and taking the initiative to find out about missed assignments.
Assignment Groups
The assignments for this class will be separated into the following groups: Participation – 10%; Daily Work – 20%; Writing Assignments/Projects – 35%; and Tests/Quizzes – 35%.
Participation/Attendance
When admitting students, colleges look for students that have the potential to be leaders, work well independently and cooperatively, and are reliable. In order to help you improve in these areas, participation is worth 10% of your overall grade. You are expected to present information and join in and lead class/small group discussions. Your participation, effort, and attitude will be a factor in determining participation on a daily basis. Any sleeping, talking, or lack of focus will result in zero participation points for the day.
Attendance also fits into this category. You will receive one point for each day in class. Not present; no points. You may make up five absences by turning in one box of tissues. These do not count as extra credit.
Course Outline
Week Grammar Vocab Theme Writing Topic
March 31 – April 4 Chpt. 8 All About College College Writing
April 7 - 11 Chpt. 9 Education “What is Education?” p. 11
April 14 – 18 Chpt. 10 Math/Science “On Excellence” p. 60
April 21 – 25 Chpt. 11 Politics “On Thinking” p. 56
April 28 – May 2 Chpt. 12 (No Vocab) “ ”
May 5 – 9 Chpt. 13 Literature “ ”
May 12 – 16 Chpt. 14 Sports/Leisure “On Reading” p. 71
May 19 – 23 Chpt. 15 Weather/Geography “ ”
May 26 – 30 Chpt. 16 On the Move “ ”
Grade Updates
I rely on the fact that parents and students check their progress in this course by using the parent portal. Therefore, I do not print out weekly grade sheets. Students are welcome to consult me on their progress before class, after class, before school, or when we have a free moment in class.
`
Grading Policy
A 95.5 – 100 C 76 - 73
A- 90 – 95.4 C- 72 - 70
B+ 89 – 87 D+ 69 - 67
B 86 - 83 D 66 - 63
B- 82 – 80 D- 62 - 60
C+ 79 - 77 F 59.9 and below
NOTE: Extra Credit assignments will not be given anytime throughout the course of the quarter. You must plan accordingly and turn in ALL assignments on time. You must complete all tests, quizzes, writing assignments, and projects to complete and pass the course.
I want you to read this course outline and share it with your parents. I encourage your parents to call with any questions or concerns at 537-6920. I can also be reached over e-mail at diane.konjura@marshall.k12.mn.us. Get ready for a great quarter!
Mrs. Konjura
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