Latin Course Progression

MBJH offers a three-year Latin program, allowing students to study Latin throughout Junior High.

Latin 1A (7th Grade):  

Latin Exploratory is the first half of a traditional first year Latin course.  It is designed to teach grammar and vocabulary with an emphasis on Latin root meanings and English derivatives.  Oral and written exercises of all kinds (vocabulary, grammar, etc.) as well as group work on translation and comprehension are common activities. The ability to memorize endings and forms and to organize and use these forms is essential to success in this course.  This course is typically followed by Latin IB in the 8th grade, upon successful completion and teacher recommendation.

Latin 1B (8th Grade):  

Prerequisite:  Latin Exploratory

Latin IB is the second half of a traditional Latin I course for students who have successfully completed Latin Exploratory in the 7th grade.  It is designed to deepen the understanding of grammar and vocabulary with an emphasis on Latin root meanings and English derivatives.  Upon successful completion, students can progress to Latin II.  The ability to recall and synthesize endings and forms from Latin Exploratory and to organize and use these forms is essential to success in this course.  The semester averages are calculated into the student’s high school GPA. Upon passing Latin IB, the student receives a Carnegie Unit in World Language towards graduation.

Latin 1 (8th or 9th Grade):  

This one-year course is for students with no experience in Latin.  Latin I focuses on mastery of basic Latin grammar and vocabulary.  Acquiring knowledge and skills also helps students to understand the English language and use it more effectively.  Oral and written exercises of all kinds (vocabulary, grammar, etc.) as well as group work on translation and comprehension are common activities.  The ability to memorize endings and forms and to organize and use these forms is essential to success in this course.  The semester averages are calculated into the student’s high school GPA. Upon passing Latin I, the student receives a Carnegie Unit in World Language towards graduation. 

Latin 2 (9th Grade):

Prerequisite: Latin I 

In Latin Level II, students build upon what they have learned in Level I and begin a more advanced study of Roman-like history and mythology.  Level II includes the study of advanced grammar, an expansion of students’ Latin vocabulary, and the reading of authentic Roman writers.  As students progress from adapted to authentic texts, they deepen and expand their familiarity and knowledge of the ancient world.  Successful completion of Level I is a prerequisite for enrollment in Level II.  The semester averages are calculated into the student’s high school GPA. Upon passing Latin II, the student receives a Carnegie Unit in World Language towards graduation.

Latin 2 Advanced (9th Grade):

Prerequisite: Latin I and Teacher Recommendation 

While the course of study standards in regular and advanced Latin Level II are the same, students in the advanced-level class will have a different learning experience.  There is an expectation that comprehension and proficiency will be more profound.  Students will use higher level thinking skills as they explore the content and more abstract thinking will be necessary.  Students in the advanced class may be required to complete more work outside of class than in the regular class.  Assessments may be more complex and may require that the student make connections and organize thoughts more efficiently. The semester averages are calculated into the student’s high school GPA. Upon passing Latin II Advanced, the student receives a Carnegie Unit in World Language towards graduation.