Course Description and Grading

LATIN COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AND CODE OF CONDUCT/GRADING

Dr. Keith Massey

540 – Latin I 5 credits/Level 3 Grade 9

NCAA Approved course

The principal aim of Latin I is to provide students with a secure knowledge of the vocabulary, forms, and syntax essential for understanding and enjoying Latin literature. This is done in an orderly and cumulative fashion. There is constant correlation with English grammar and vocabulary. While the Latin language is the predominant concern, historical and cultural material is also included throughout the course.

541 – Latin II 5 credits/Level 3 Grade 10

NCAA Approved course

Prerequisite: Latin I

The principal focus of this course is to help students learn to read famous Latin authors. Since doing this requires a thorough knowledge of basic vocabulary, forms, and syntax, there is a comprehensive review and detailed elaboration of the material students need to master for the next level. This review is connected by readings but also is presented with additional supplemental material and library research.

542- Latin III Honors 5 credits/Level 2 Grade 11

NCAA Approved course

Prerequisite: Latin II with a grade of B+ or higher and department recommendation.

This course builds on the foundation established in Latin II. It begins with a detailed review of grammar, figures of speech, vocabulary, forms and syntax. The course develops comprehension and appreciation of Latin Literature through the reading and translation of increasingly complex passages, leading to initial explorations into the works of authentic Roman authors. A simultaneous study of Roman history and culture accompanies the language instruction.

543- Latin IV Honors 5 credits/Level 2 Grade 12

NCAA Approved course

Prerequisite: Latin III with a grade of B+ or higher and department recommendation.

This course focuses on the translation of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars and Vergil's Aeneid, following the curriculum of passages recommended for study in an Advanced Placement Latin course. Grammar and author-specific vocabulary are reviewed and deepened, as well as an historical and cultural exploration of the authors and their works.

Class Procedures and Conduct for Latin

A discussion of Leonia High School’s policies on attendance and punctuality can be found in the Student Handbook (downloadable from the school website), as well as the Disciplinary and Infraction Guide for Leonia High School. Numerous other topics are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook. All of these and other matters discussed in the Handbook are valid for Latin class, but a more specific description of discipline and procedure for Latin

class is as follows:

1) Students sit down in their seats upon entering the class in order to allow the immediate taking of attendance. Tardiness will, however, be defined as not being through the door when the bell rings.

2) As a general rule, a student should raise their hand in order to ask a question or make a pertinent comment. There will be more relaxed times in the course of instruction in which free conversation will be encouraged. In the context of an ongoing lesson by the teacher, however, these rules will be enforced strictly.

3) A student should not be out of their seat in the course of the class period without prior permission.

4) No more than one student will be allowed out of class to go to the bathroom at a given time. When given permission to go to the bathroom, the student will come forward, fill out sign out sheet, and return within five minutes.

5) The rules for pagers, phones, and personal listening devices are outlined in the Handbook. There may be times when special permission to use a personal listening device will be granted on a case-by-case basis, provided it is not disruptive.

The procedure for maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all will be as follows:

a) A student will be given an initial warning about disruptive behavior.

b) If the disruptive behavior occurs again in that class period, the student will be given a second and final warning.

c) Continued disruption after that point will result in the student being sent to AEL for the remainder of that period and serve a thirty minute after school detention with the teacher.

d) Continued disruption in subsequent class periods will then be treated as “willful defiance of authority”; and “wilful disobedience” the consequences of which are outlined in the

Handbook.

Please keep in mind that the following of these procedures is not intended to be punitive, but merely to maintain an environment in which everyone’s right to learn is respected.

GRADING

As per school policy, the final grade is calculated as follows:

Each Marking Period is 20% of the grade.

Midterm Exam and Final Exam are each 10% of the grade.

Each Marking Period is graded as follows:

Quizzes are 25% of the grade.

Class Participation/Homework are 25% of the grade.

Tests are 50% of the grade.

If a student is absent when the class takes an assessment, they are expected to make it up by the second class period from their return to class.