Latin I Syllabus 2016 2017 Magister Merrill Gilbert Classical Academy - Room #109 (480) 497-4034 x109 ian.merrill@gilbertschools.net Descriptio: This course will enable students to develop vocabulary and grammatical skills (both Latin and English) through diligent and constant study. It will also help students to develop reading, listening, and writing skills. Finally, the course will provide an opportunity for students to study the many aspects of the ancient Roman world and how it has affected the modern world. Although Latin is considered a dead language, you will find that it is very much alive in etymology, abbreviations, literature, law, government, arts and more. Metae: At the completion of this course, students will: 1. be able to translate and comprehend readings in Latin at the intermediate level. 2. be able to write and express original ideas in Latin. 3. enhance their general language learning techniques and aptitudes, including facility with English. 4. develop an awareness of the culture of the Romans, its historical significance, and its contemporary relevance. 5. be prepared to perform well on the National Latin Exam. Cursus: Students will receive a homework assignment 4 nights a week. On every Monday (dies Lunae) and Tuesday (dies Martis), students will be completing assigned exercises from your book and/or Magister. On every Wednesday (dies Mercurii), students will be studying and preparing for a vocabulary quiz to be taken on Thursday (dies Iovis). Finally, on every Thursday, students will be studying for either a grammar quiz, sight translation, or chapter quiz. Homework is not assigned on the weekends unless it is either deemed necessary or it is a long-term project. All assignments are posted on the classroom white board and google classroom; grades are posted on infinite campus. Aestimatio: The final grade for the class will be a combination of homework, in-class activities, projects, notebooks, participation, quizzes, and tests. Each assignment category has a percentage value assigned via District and GCA Foreign Language policy. Labor (Drill/Class work/participation) -------------------------30% Drill: 5 points per week (be on task, be on time, be cell free, and be productive) Participation: 5 points per week (volunteer 5 times each week) Assessments (Homework/Projects/Quizzes/Tests) ------------60% Ludus domesticus (homework): 5 points each Little projects (essays, notebook, oral presentations, etc.): 20 points Quarter projects: 40 points Parva probation (quiz): 10 points each (vocabulary quizzes) Magna probation (test): 20/40 points each (chapter tests, National Latin Exam) 1
Semester Final --------------------------------------------------10% Students will take a cumulative exam at the end of the semester. The last week will be spent in preparation. Libra Graduum 90 100% A 80 89% B 70 79% C 60 69% D 0 59% F No grades will be rounded or graded on a curve. Necessitates: Oxford Latin Course, Part I and Part II (Oxford University Press, 2006) (Charged) Chromebook USB drive 3-ring binder to be used for all classes 3-ring divider tabs, seven count one tab will be labeled Latin (All Latin notes will be labeled phrases, grammar, and translation. It is also imperative that notes are dated!) Spiral notebook or loose lined paper Pencil (#2) Black/blue pen Red pen Highlighter Leges: As in any classroom, students are expected to follow the rules listed in the student handbook. However there are a few rules that must be stressed. 1. No signs of disrespect to another student shall be demonstrated in the classroom. 2. No inappropriate comments shall be made in the classroom. 3. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a 0. a. Plagiarism/Cheating Policy: Plagiarism is defined as the practice of taking someone else s work or ideas and passing them off as one s own. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in the Latin classroom. This means that students should never copy another s work for any assignment. The use of internet translators or online answer keys for any assignment is not permitted and is considered plagiarism as well. If a student is caught plagiarizing or assisting in plagiarism for any work in class, a student will receive an automatic zero for the assignment. In addition, parents/guardians and the administration will be notified of serious offenses. Please review the school s description of academic honesty and integrity in the handbook. 2
4. Doing one s homework, whether it be Latin homework or another subject, will not be allowed during class time. If so, one will receive a 0. 5. Respect the classroom environment. When the magister is teaching, please do not carry on side conversations. It is rude to the magister and to the students in your class. 6. Raise hands when there is a question. 7. Have book, charged chromebook, and all necessary materials. 8. It is expected that students will follow the school s dress code. 9. Leaving the classroom students will be given three passes per semester. It is the student s responsibility to not lose these passes. Expectationes: I will: 1. Do my tasks. 2. Have the required materials. 3. Be where I belong. 4. Control myself. 5. Follow directions the first time they are given. 6. Speak considerately. 7. Have my cell phone off and in my backpack - If I see any phones during class, they will be confiscated. This includes phones that are not being used (e.g. if they are sitting on the desk). 8. Be on time and in my own desk when the bell rings. Classroom LEGES Posted in the Class as a Reminder 1. Have all appropriate materials and supplies at your desk and be seated when the bell rings. 2. Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings in this room (hands, feet, and objects kept to yourself, no vulgar language, etc.) 3. Adjust your voice level to suit the activity. 4. Follow directions the first time they are given. 5. Observe all rules in the student handbook. First Time: Second Time: Third Time: Fourth Time: Fifth Time: Severe disruptions: If You Choose to Break a Rule Warning. Deduction of a drill point. Deduction of another drill point and 15 minutes of carcer. Deduction of a drill point and parents emailed. Deduction of a drill point, parents emailed, and referral written. Student sent immediately to the office. Praise Positive emails sent home Student of the Week Rewards You May Earn 3
Cabin of the Week Cabin of the Quarter The joy of learning (each day of the school year) The satisfaction of a job well done (every day) An enjoyable, interesting, and challenging class (each day of the school year) And more Mores: In the classroom, students will be required to make their own contribution, whether it be in translation, recitation, discussion, or homework review. It is also expected that students complete all homework and projects and prepare for all quizzes and exams. Late homework and projects will not be accepted. If a student is absent (illness or emergency), it is his/her responsibility to acquire the notes and translations. Students also must turn in the missed homework and will have a day for a day to make up all missed quizzes. If a student is gone for a sporting event, field trip, or some activity, he/she is expected to turn the homework in on the next day. CLASS TIME IS NOT TO BE INTERRUPTED WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT MAKE-UP WORK. ALL WORK IS POSTED ONLINE. Participation Points: If a student participates in a discussion or answers a question, he/she can earn a participation point. A student does not have to answer the question correctly, just honestly. A student can also earn participation points by reading a Latin sentence, writing an answer on the board, or being actively engaged in a classroom review game. It is my desire to see each and every one of you actively engaged in class each and every day. Drill Points: At the beginning of the week, each student receives 5 drill points. If a student performs the above Expectationes, a student will keep the 5 drill points. However, points can be taken away. All minor offenses will be dealt with first by verbal warning. After the first warning, a student will lose a drill point. Continued disruption past 3 drill points can result in a student losing the right to participate in partner/group/class activities as he/she will have to work on that day s assignment on their own. If the action consistently persists, parents/guardians will be contacted via email. Lastly, if the action or behavior still does not change, a student may be referred to the office for more serious remedial action. Examples of minor infractions that result in the deduction of a drill point: coming to class unprepared (i.e. no paper, pen or pencil, uncharged laptop), daydreaming, napping, not taking notes, playing computer games, working on non Latin work, not doing the opening drill (warm up), and persistent complaining. Please keep in mind that these are only a few examples. Extra Credit Opportunities: It is the instructor s general policy to not allow extra credit assignments. The Magister does not allow extra credit in order to prepare students for the honors and AP courses that they will take in high school and college later on. Students looking for ways to improve their grades need to examine how they are preparing for class and take measures to improve their success either through tutoring (peer or faculty) or study habits. 4
Make-up Work: Lesson plans will have been posted online for each class day listing: topic(s) covered, a list of class activities, homework, and quizzes. Vocabulary and grammar note PPTs will be posted in the Resources section as well. Consequently, absence is not an excuse for not knowing what is due. All missed work must be completed in the same amount of time in which the student was absent. A student who is absent for two days, for example, will have two days to complete the missing work. If a quiz or test is missed, it is also the responsibility of the student to schedule a make-up date within two school days. After this window, if the student has failed to schedule a make-up or has failed to show up for his/her scheduled appointment, a ZERO will be given for all work or tests that are not completed. If a student has any questions or concerns about a given assignment, then they may ask me through email, before school, at lunch, or after school, not during class. When students miss important notes, they must get these notes from a friend. I will clarify any missed material for the students as well before school, at lunch, after school, or through email. Communication: Parents and students can email the magister at ian.merrill@gilbertschools.net. The magister will respond to emails within 24 hours. Ludus Domesticus: It is imperative that adequate time and energy be placed into the homework since homework develops one s Latin skills. It enriches one s ability to read and write well Latine. In order to receive full credit for the homework, this is what one must do. CAVEAT: Partial credit will not be given! 1. On one line, type the English/Latin sentence down. 2. On the next line, note the construction (case for nouns, tense for verbs, etc.). 3. On the next line, translate this sentence into English/Latin. 4. On the next line, leave space for the correct answer. *If there is no name on the homework, a student will have two days to claim the homework as his/her own. A 50% will be received* Please come to class prepared. If homework is not in class at the time it is due, a zero will be received. In accordance with GCA policy, after two missed assignments in a 9 week period students will be required to attend Saturday School. Opportunitates: Latin students have the chance to be a member of the National Junior Classical League, the second largest student organization in the world. Being a member, the students have the opportunity to do the following: 1. Participate in the AZJCL State Exams (exams that test every aspect of the ancients), National Latin Exam, Medusa Mythology Exam, and the NJCL Creative Writing Contest. 2. Become a member of the National Latin Honor Society. 3. Apply for the many scholarships offered by the NJCL and the AZJCL during one s senior year. 4. Attend the AZJCL State Convention, NJCL Convention, and go to Italy via AZJCL. 5. Participate in the activities sponsored by Latin Club. 6. And much, much more. Look at the Latin Club bulletin board for upcoming events. 5
Welcome to your language adventure! Your brain will be challenged, you will work hard, and you will have a fantastic time! Signate Inferius: By signing below, I confirm that I have read the syllabus, understand the basic rules and expectations of this class, and will adhere to these rules and expectations throughout the school year. Follow the link to digitally* sign the syllabus: https://goo.gl/forms/v9ckjmvnyroeenji1 *If you cannot access the link for any reason, please inform magister immediately. Otherwise, it is your responsibility to turn it in on time. 6