In this first year Latin course, students will be ... - Pingry School

Magistra Spano 2010/2011 kspano@pingry.orgWELCOME TO LATIN 1A!In this first year Latin course, students will be introduced to fundamental Latin grammar,vocabulary, and usage, as well as Roman culture and daily life, through a series ofstories concerning a Roman family living in Pompeii in the 1 st Century A.D. The classwill meet three days a week and will cover the first nine chapters of the Cambridge LatinCourse, Unit 1 textbook. In addition to our study of the Latin language, we will alsostudy Latin roots and derivatives that appear in English and modern romancelanguages; we will study Roman history and culture and its considerable impact on ourown Western civilization. This course, then, will offer not only an excellent foundation inthe Latin language, but will also help students appreciate the value of studying Latin inour modern world.TEXTBOOK & MATERIALS:Cambridge Latin Course, Unit 1 (red book)1-inch binder w/ 4 dividers1 folder (to be kept in the classroom)Lined paperCLASS EXPECTATIONSPARTICIPATION: For any language course active participation is essential.Participation includes making contributions to class discussions, engaging in classactivities, listening to and respecting the contributions of your classmates, taking goodnotes every day, asking questions, seeking extra help when needed, and preparing wellfor class each day. Stickers are often rewarded to students for their contributions andstrong participation or effort in class. A student who accumulates 10 stickers earns aprize.PREPARATION: Please remember to bring your textbook, notebook, pen, andhomework each day. Please note that students will be expected to present any projectsto the class ON the day that they are due and this is a key way of earning valuablepoints on projects (and daily assignments). Three points will be deducted per day fromsmaller assignments turned in late while a penalty of 1/3 of a grade per day will apply tomajor assignments that are turned in late.HOMEWORK: Because this is a second language course for you, the nightlyhomework for this class should not exceed 15 minutes, unless you are preparing for aquiz or test. It is absolutely essential that you do your homework each night and bringyour completed homework to class each day. Your homework will be consideredcomplete only if it is with you in class on the day it is due. You are responsible forobtaining the homework assignment if absent and for showing it to me when youreturn from your absence.QUIZZES & TESTS: Quizzes may or may not be announced in advance. Tests will beannounced several days before being given. If absent during a quiz or test day, youshould expect to take the missed quiz/test the next class is held unless otherwisediscussed with me. If for some reason class is cancelled because of inclement weather,you should expect to take the quiz/test the next class is held unless I email youotherwise.

HONOR CODE: The Honor Code should appear on any piece of work that students aresubmitting for a grade. There is to be no collaboration on homework or other take-homework unless I tell you to do so. There is to be no copying on quizzes or tests. To avoidthe image of impropriety, in all cases, remember the following: put all materials away,separate from other students, and look only at your paper. Students will be expected tolearn the Honor Code in Latin by the end of the 1 st quarter.neque dedi neque accepi ullum auxilium sine auctoritate.CELL PHONES: All cell phones must be powered off during the class period andthroughout the school day.GRADING: Your grades in this course will reflect your level of effort. It will be based onyour nightly homework, your quiz scores, test scores, project grades, and overallparticipation. We will have one or two quizzes (parva probatio) per chapter to reinforcenew material and vocabulary. Often you will have two (or more) nights to completehomework assignments which will count for a quiz grade. We will have a major test(magna probatio) at the conclusion of each chapter. There will be a culturalproject/presentation assigned during the 2 nd and 4 th quarters. These projects can bedone individually or in groups, but all projects must be approved in advance. Quartergrades will be based on points earned divided by total points.Your effort grade will be determined by your participation, completion of homework,attendance of conference period, and your classroom behavior. I will give effort gradesbased upon the following understanding of the numbers:1 = Exceptional: this means that you have always gone above and beyond and pushed yourselfto be the best student you can be, you are always prepared, and you are a leader in your class.2 = Exceeds expectations: this means that you are a student who is consistently prepared forclass, one who pushes him or herself in class, comes for extra help when needed without myurging, and often exhibits leadership in class.3 = Meets expectations: this means that you are a student who comes prepared most of thetime, who is an active participant in class, and behaves well in class.4 = Needs improvement: this means that you are a student who often is unprepared for class,who misbehaves in class, who doesn’t come in for extra help when needed, and who doesn’tpush to be a stronger student.5 = Fails to meet expectations: this means that you are rarely prepared for class, demonstrateno desire to better yourself as a student, and are disruptive to the classroom environment.ABSENCE: If you are absent, you are responsible for completing the assignment listedon your assignment sheet and/or checking Moodle for posted assignments. You arealso responsible for showing me your completed assignments during conference period.In the case of an absence, please write down the contact information for a Latin buddyin your class. Call or email this person if you have any questions about an assignmentwhen you are absent. My Latin buddy is _____________________ and his/her emailand phone number is: ___________________________________________________.EXTRA HELP: Please come for clarification before quizzes or tests, for review, forquestions, or for any extra help you might need. I’m here to help! I will be in ________during conference period.A WORD ABOUT VOCABULARY: KEEP UP WITH IT!STUDENT/PARENT SIGNATUREI have read this course description and I understand myresponsibilities.I have reviewed this course description with my child.(Student’s signature)(Parent’s signature)