Founders Classical Academy of Fort Worth
Week of September 14 - 18
Sententia Hebdomadis (Quote of the Week)
"Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit."
(“Perhaps someday it will be pleasing to remember even these things.”)
— Virgil, Aeneid, Book I
Salvēte!
About Mr. Laurence
Mr. Ethan Laurence-Gauglitz earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of North Texas, also studying a semester at Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität in Hannover, Germany. After graduation, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kosovo, working as a grant writer for the local municipal government and teaching English in local schools. These experiences deepened his appreciation for cultural exchange, global perspectives, and the power of language to connect people.
Mr. Laurence's education background also includes being the Academic Coordinator and Lead English Instructor at Excel Academy in Henderson, Nevada, where he developed curriculum, supported teachers, and helped students reach their full potential. He brings to the classroom a love for languages, literature, and learning, and is excited to share these passions with his students this year.
UPCOMING EVENTS!
October 30th - Family Blast!
Hebdomadis Recapitulatio (Week in Review)
This week, students began Chapter 2 of Wheelock’s Latin and shifted their primary focus from verbs to nouns. Students were introduced to first-declension nouns and began learning how Latin changes noun endings according to their grammatical function within a sentence. We explored the major Latin cases and discussed how case endings allow Latin to communicate information that English often conveys through word order. Students practiced declining nouns and identifying patterns within first-declension forms. This new material builds upon our study of verbs and brings students another step closer to analyzing and translating complete Latin sentences.
Prospicientia in Proximam Hebdomadam (Looking Ahead to Next Week)
This week, students began Chapter 2 of Wheelock’s Latin and shifted their primary focus from verbs to nouns. Students were introduced to first-declension nouns and began learning how Latin changes noun endings according to their grammatical function within a sentence. We explored the major Latin cases and discussed how case endings allow Latin to communicate information that English often conveys through word order. Students practiced declining nouns and identifying patterns within first-declension forms. This new material builds upon our study of verbs and brings students another step closer to analyzing and translating complete Latin sentences.
servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum — to save, preserve, keep, guard
Servō is a first-conjugation verb found in Chapter 2 of Wheelock’s Latin. Its meanings of “save,” “preserve,” “keep,” and “guard” make it particularly fitting for a week centered on remembrance and preservation. The Latin root survives in English words such as preserve, conserve, and reservation. It also gives students another familiar first-conjugation verb with which to reinforce the forms and parsing skills learned in Chapter 1.
Did you know that ancient Romans celebrated birthdays much as we do today? Romans observed the birthdays of family members and friends with gatherings, gifts, food, and religious observances. A person might make an offering to a protective spirit associated with his or her life, while friends and relatives could mark the occasion with good wishes and presents. Romans also commemorated the birthdays of important public figures, including emperors, making some birthdays occasions of public as well as private celebration. Although the customs differed from ours, the desire to gather with others and commemorate another year of life would have been quite familiar to a Roman.
Valēte!
Latin I
2026 - 2027
Instructor: Mr. Ethan Laurence-Gauglitz
elaurencegauglitz@responsiveedtx.com
COURSE OVERVIEW
Salvete, discipuli! Welcome to Latin I! In this course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of Latin grammar, vocabulary, and translation. We will be using Wheelock’s Latin as our primary textbook, supplemented with classroom exercises, group activities, and occasional projects to deepen understanding and appreciation of Latin language, as well as Roman culture and history. By the end of the year, students will be able to translate simple Latin passages, understand key grammatical concepts, and be able to recognize Latin roots in English vocabulary.
CLASS MATERIALS (INSTRUMENTA)
Each student should bring the following materials to every class:
A 1½ -inch binder exclusive to Latin
Four binder dividers
Loose-leaf, college-ruled notebook paper
Index cards - at least two packs to start with (we’ll need many throughout the year!)
An assignment planner to write down the homework
Pencils
** We follow the structure and content of Wheelock’s Latin (7th Edition), but there is no need to
buy a copy of the book.
Tests – 50%
Quizzes – 30%
The lowest quiz grade per quarter will be dropped.
Homework/Assignments – 20%
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE (CURSUS HONORUM)
Quarter I
● Introduction & Parts of Speech
● Chapter 1: Verbs, 1st & 2nd Conjugation, Translating
● Chapter 2: First Declension Nouns and Adjectives, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Interjections
● Chapter 3: Second Declension Masculine Nouns and Adjectives, Apposition, Word Order
● Chapter 4: Second Declension Neuter Nouns and Adjectives; Present tense of Sum, Predicate Nominatives, Substantives
● Olympian Gods and Stories
Quarter II
● Chapter 4: Second Declension Neuter Nouns and Adjectives; Present tense of Sum, predicate, nominatives, substantives
● Chapter 5: First and Second Conjugations of Future and Imperfect; Adjectives ending in -er
● Chapter 6: Sum and Possum; Complementary Infinitive
● Chapter 7: Third Declension Nouns
● Olympian Gods cont., Creation & Titanomachy, Aeneas
Quarter III
● Chapter 8: Third Conjugation: Present System; Introduce Synopsis
● Chapter 9: Demonstratives Hic, Ille, Iste; Special -ius Adjectives
● Chapter 10: Fourth Conjugation and 3rd -io Verbs
● Chapter 11: Personal Pronouns Ego, Tu, and Is; Demonstratives Is and Idem
● 7 Kings of Rome
Quarter IV
● Chapter 12: The Perfect Active System; Synopsis
● Chapter 13: Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns, Reflexive Possessives
● Chapter 14: 3rd Declension I-stem Nouns; Ablative of Means, accompaniment, and
Manner
● Chapter 15: Numerals; Genitive of the Whole; Ablative of Numerals and Ablative of
Time
● Early Roman heroes, Roman houses, Roman family.
Latin II
2026 - 2027
Instructor: Mr. Ethan Laurence-Gauglitz
elaurencegauglitz@responsiveedtx.com
COURSE OVERVIEW
Salvete, discipuli! Welcome back to the study of Latin. This year, we shall return to Wheelock’s
Latin and cover chapters 17-30 over topics such as indirect statements, comparative adjectives,
participles, and subjunctives. In addition to our study of the Latin language, we will also cover
cultural topics from Roman history and mythology.
CLASS MATERIALS (INSTRUMENTA)
Each student should bring the following materials to every class:
A 1½ -inch binder exclusive to Latin
Four binder dividers
Loose-leaf, college-ruled notebook paper
Index cards - at least two packs to start with (we’ll need many throughout the year!)
An assignment planner to write down the homework
Pencils
** We follow the structure and content of Wheelock’s Latin (7th Edition), but there is no need to
buy a copy of the book.
Tests – 50%
Quizzes – 30%
The lowest quiz grade per quarter will be dropped.
Homework/Assignments – 20%
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE (CURSUS HONORUM)
Quarter I:
-Review of Ch. 1-16
-Ch. 17: Relative Pronouns
-Ch. 18-19: Passive Voice/Ablative of Agent
-Culture and History: the Roman world, early Roman history, Roman Deities, Jason and
Medea, Roman education
Quarter II:
-Ch. 19: Interrogative Adjectives and Pronouns
-Ch. 20: 4th Declension/Ablative Usage
-Ch. 21: Passive Voice of 3rd and 4th Conjugations
-Ch. 22: 5th Declension/Review of Ablative Usage
-Ch. 23: Participles
-Brief Review of Semester Material
-Culture and History: major bodies of water, Punic Wars, major mythological heroes,
Roman baths and recreation centers
Quarter III:
-Brief Review of Semester Material
-Ch. 24: Ablative Absolute/Passive Periphrastic/Dative of Agent
-Ch. 25: Infinitives/Indirect Statement
-Ch. 26: Comparison of Adjectives/Declension of Comparatives/Ablative of Comparison
-Ch. 27: Special and Irregular Comparison of Adjectives
-Culture and History: Roman provinces, Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, heroes of the Iliad
and Odyssey, mythological monsters, gladiatorial combat, amphitheater
Quarter IV:
-Ch. 28: Intro to Subjunctive/Jussive Subjunctive/Purpose Clauses
-Chapter 29: Imperfect Subjunctive/Present Imperfect Subjunctive of Sum and Possum/Result Clauses
-Chapter 30: Perfect and Pluperfect Subjunctive/Indirect Questions/Sequence of Tenses
-Review of Semester Material and Translation
-Culture and History: Roman government, late Republican history and civil war, the Underworld (deities, geography, etc.), chariot races, triumphal ceremony