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Welcome to Latin!
In choosing to learn Latin, you have set yourself among an elite company of scholars. You have joined writers, artists, businessmen and statesmen who have long recognized that a knowledge of the Latin language and culture that produced it is both itself rewarding and is a springboard to a better understanding of modern language and society. Congratulations!
Objectives: Our primary objective in this class will be to become familiar to the language of the Romans, the effects of which echo in our own language. Along the way we shall encounter fascinating topics in mythology, history and culture. It is my firm belief that an understanding of Latin improves a student's understanding of English and ability to communicate powerfully and effectively. An understanding of Roman life also informs students of the classics about their own culture, because many remnants of antiquity can be found in the modern world. Such perspective helps students of Latin to get more of what they want from life. Finally, it is our objective to have fun while doing all of the above!
CLASSROOM RULES
Rules and procedures are necessary for us to accomplish class goals without inhibiting the student's rights to learn in a safe environment. School policy will be followed in all matters. Consult your student handbook for school policy.
My Lex Aurea: AUT DISCE AUT DISCEDE! (either LEARN or LEAVE!)
POLICY ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Students must follow all school rules as well as the classroom rules. Students causing a disturbance will be removed from class and/or escorted to the appropriate authority. Students should note that being removed from class for excessively disruptive behavior will result in a grade of zero for any assignment missed during that class.
Other Classroom Rules--
A Latin student is expected to be:
I. Tempestivus-Punctual. Arrive to class on time. If you are not ready for class when the bell rings, you are considered TARDY.
II. Paratus-Prepared. Bring all materials to class each day; complete assignments on time.
III. Observans-Respectful. Respect others, their property, and their rights to learn or teach. Also remain silent and listen to all announcements, prayers, et cetera, that come over the P.A. or television.
IV. Officiosus-Cooperative. Follow directions the first time they are given; be on task; raise your hand if you have a pertinent question or comment.
V. Honestus-Honest. Do your own work on ALL assignments. Cheating is a serious offense! Do not give or receive answers, or use others' work and call it your own. You may always help a fellow student, but giving them the answers or letting them copy is NOT HELPING!
VI. Praesens-Present. Remain in class during class time unless there is a dire necessity to leave.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What happens if I am absent?
A. First, try to get notes or information from a classmate. Then, see me BEFORE OR AFTER CLASS for any handouts or test/quiz makeup appointments. Responsibility for making arrangements with Magistra Huber for missed assignments, tests and quizzes is SOLELY YOURS. I will NOT remind you! I will give you the details for missing assignments QUAM PRIMUM (as soon as possible). I will adhere to the guidelines for Make-up work printed in your student handbook. If you know you are going to be absent for a class in advance, please let me know so I can prepare any work you might miss. This includes if you will be on class retreat or leaving early for a sporting event. Any assignment due on a day you will be on retreat or leaving early is STILL due that day. You will need to visit me before school begins or after you return to school.
Q. What happens if I miss a quiz or test?
A. Make-up tests and quizzes will be given by appointment only. You may work out a date with Mrs. Huber to make up a quiz or test during an arranged time before school, during homeroom, during your study hall, or after school. You must take your quiz or test at the appointed time agreed upon by us in advance. Failure to make your appointment means you have missed your opportunity to earn credit for the missing test or quiz and you will receive a zero.
Q. What materials do I need for class?
A. You will need to have the following in class every day:
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3-ring binder or sturdy folder for keeping handouts, notes, and archiving your work
Textbook
Latin For Americans :
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Latin I & II, Bk 1 2007 edition (red spine)
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Latin III & IV, Book 2 2007 edition (green)
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Workbook :Latin For Americans Workbook
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Latin I & II, Book 1 2007 edition (red)
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Latin III & IV Book 2 2007 edition (green)
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Loose-leaf paper for notetaking, translating, and exercises
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Bound notebook for homework and practice drills
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pens or pencils for classwork (standard pencils or pens with blue or black ink are appropriate for school work)
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colored pens (green, red, purple, etc.) for correcting
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Latin dictionary (optional). Please see me for recommendations.
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Note cards for vocabulary drilling (other methods of studying will also be discussed)
•Q. How is my grade determined?
•A. Your grade will be determined by the point system. You can compute your percentage grade at any given point by adding up the total number of points received and dividing by the total number of points all assignments are worth. The grading scale is printed in your student handbook. Make sure you check your grades on Skyward so you can keep track. If you have questions about what is on Skyward, please let me know as soon as possible so we can resolve the issue.
•Q. What is Blackboard?
•A. Blackboard is an online learning tool used by many teachers at LCHS. You will need to gain access to Blackboard via the Internet by visiting the site http://lcc.gennet.us and using your personal username and password. You MUST be able to access Blackboard to complete some class assignments. If you have problems accessing Blackboard at home, it is your responsibility to figure out an alternative access point. Inability to access the internet from home is not an excuse for not completing an assignment. Remember, you can always use the computers in the library or computer lab as long as your account is in good standing.
•Q. What will I be graded on?
•A. There are several types of assignments I use to assess your progress. Below is a list of those I usually include.
•1. UNIT TESTS: Comprehensive exams will be given during the course of the semester. The point value of each test may vary, but generally tests are worth 100 points. By nature, learning Latin is a CUMULATIVE process, therefore, EVERY test and quiz is CUMULATIVE. Once you receive a corrected test, you will also be required to have a parent review and sign it.
•2. LESSON QUIZZES: After each lesson in Latin for Americans, a quiz will be given. The point value of each lesson quiz will vary, but will generally range from 20 points to 60 points. The material covered on a lesson quiz will concentrate on the present lesson, but you will be expected to know previous concepts as well.
•3. SPECIAL PROJECTS: Projects may be long- or short-term. They will be assigned and explained as appropriate. Due dates and point values will be announced at the time the assignment is given. For such special projects, you MUST submit the completed project on the day it is due or, if you are ill on the due date, on the day you return to school. LATE PROJECTS receive 10% markdowns for every day late.
•4. DAILY QUIZZES AND GRADED WORK: Daily quizzes may be announced or unannounced. Daily quizzes are generally worth 10 points and cover material reviewed beforehand. An assignment that is handed in and graded for correctness is also worth 10 or more points.
•5. DAILY WARM-UP QUESTIONS: Every day when you come into class, I will have a warm-up question posted for you to answer. You need only to attempt to answer the question to receive points for the warm-up question. If you are tardy or absent you do not get to participate in the warm-up question for the day. Warm-up questions will generally be one point each, or five points per week.
•6. PENSA (EXERCISES): PENSA grades are based on the completion of a short exercise at home. This will most likely be a written assignment. Each PENSUM must be completed AND corrected for full credit. Corrections will be available via Blackboard or class website so you will need to access Blackboard on a weekly basis. Further explanation of PENSA completion will be discussed when you receive your first PENSA assignments. PENSA are required for each lesson.
•7. PARTICIPATION: You will receive a weekly PARTICIPATION grade. Each week's participation will count as TWENTY points. If you are absent for one or two days during the week you will be expected to "make up" your participation by being extra diligent while you are in class. I will not warn you that you are not participating-points will simply be deducted at my discretion. Please see the Participation form that I will use to determine your participation grade.
You are expected to engage in the following behaviors during class:
--full attention to the lecture
--following instructions
--working on assignment given during class
--answering questions posed by the teacher or substitute
--writing examples on the board for class correction
--volunteering for oral or written answers
--fully engaged in classroom activities from beginning bell to end bell
--doing more Latin than chattin'
Points will be deducted for negative behavior including, but not limited to, the following:
--sleeping/putting head down on desk
--working on assignments from another class or not working on Latin during the given time
--talking out of turn
--doing more chattin' than Latin
--not having class equipment /materials (book, workbook, other special equipment)
--tilting your chair back or otherwise using furniture in an inappropriate manner
--packing up your belongings before the bell rings and/or waiting at the door
--being out of your assigned seat without permission
•8. FINAL EXAM: A final exam will be given on the designated day at the end of the semester. All students are required to take the final exam unless qualified for exemption. The exam is comprehensive and counts as 20% of your final semester grade.
•Q. What happens if I get a bad grade on a quiz, test, or assignment?
A. At the end of each quarter, I will drop your TWO lowest DAILY QUIZ/GRADED WORK grades (or ONE if the assignment in question is worth more than 10 points) and ONE lowest LESSON QUIZ grade PER QUARTER. TEST GRADES, PARTICIPATION GRADES, and PROJECT GRADES ARE NOT DROPPED.
Q. Do you accept late work?
A. Only with certain conditions. Late Daily Questions and late PENSA receive ZERO points; graded assignments will be accepted for 50% credit up to 24 hours after the beginning of the class period it was due. After 24 hours, no credit will be awarded. Long-term projects submitted after the due date will receive a 10% deduction per school day.
Q. How often will I have homework?
A. EVERY DAY. Not every homework assignment will be written or submitted for a grade, but you will need to study or practice Latin for at least 10 minutes per day to be successful.
Q. May I go to the restroom (locker, office, drinking fountain)?
A. ONLY if:
--There is a dire need
--You use one of the passes I give you at the beginning of each quarter
--You ask me at a suitable time, i.e., not while I am teaching or in the middle of giving instructions
--You have not abused your privilege in the past
--You go directly there and come directly back in a reasonable amount of time (I will send out a search party after 5 minutes).
Q. Can I earn extra credit?
A. Extra credit is available at any time. Options and instructions are listed on the Blackboard site. You may do as many extra credit assignments as you wish, but you will only be able to earn enough points to raise your grade by half a mark (e.g., from A- to A BUT not B to A) If you need to raise your grade more than that, TURN IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS COMPLETE AND ON TIME, WORK HARDER and ALWAYS GET HELP!
Q. What if I need help with Latin?
A. Students who need extra help should consider a study partner. If a study partner is not sufficient, NHS offers free tutoring in Mrs. Pike's room. After-school or homeroom help from me will be available. Please see me in advance to make sure I will be available. If you are having trouble, come EARLY and OFTEN for help! DON'T WAIT until the end of the quarter or semester!
Q. Do neatness, spelling and grammar count?
A. All materials done for class work must be neat and legible. Please make sure you include your name and some descriptive element of the assignment on everything you turn in. Please see the attached example of an acceptable heading for a Latin paper. If the teacher must expend additional energy to decipher sloppy work, the grade on the assignment will reflect this. Spelling and grammar count! Misspelling English OR Latin words will cost a half point per error. Poor grammar will also count against you. Every time I expend ink and effort correcting an error, your grade will be negatively affected.
Q. How should I label my papers for Latin class?
A. Please follow the guidelines for heading your Latin papers: include your name, date, class, and pertinent assignment information such as the lesson, exercise, page, and any special directions. Your paper MUST be labeled with your name in order to receive credit, even if I ask you to leave it in your notebook or workbook. An example is given below.
Lesson 7 Imelda Pinkypank
Ex. A p. 112 Latin 1 5th Hour
Evens 11/22/06
•Q. What is the schedule for class like?
•A. We will typically complete one lesson in LFA every five school days. This however is simply a guideline and I may adjust the schedule to allow more or less time per lesson. Expect to have one lesson quiz per week and a test at the end of every unit. I will give you an outline, including assignments, at the beginning of every lesson.
Q. How do I see my grade?
A. I will update the Skyward grading program on a regular basis. Our grading program is able to be accessed by parents and students online for detailed review. If students or parents need more explanation, please ask.
Q. What if I need more information?
A. See the BlackBoard site. I am planning on posting all handouts and assignments online for easy reference for students and parents. Currently you are able to view class information on Blackboard, http://lcc.gennet.us, or the class website at www.lansingcatholic.org. You will be informed of your login and password information for Blackboard soon after the beginning of the school year. Once you turn in your AUP you can access BlackBoard on school computers and at home. Parents will receive specific information to access this site. If you have trouble viewing this please let me know.
Please read and sign the form below; also have a parent or guardian read and sign, then return this form to me by ____________________________.
STUDENT:
I, _________________________________________ (print name), have read and understand the above information on Latin class rules and procedures. I understand that I will be held responsible for following the rules and procedures outlined above while in Latin class. If I have any questions, I will ask Mrs. Huber for clarification.
__________________________________ _______________________
Signature of student Date
PARENT/GUARDIAN(S):
I, _______________________________________________________ (print name), have read and understand the above information on Latin class rules and procedures. I understand that my student will be held responsible for following the rules and procedures outlined above while in Latin class. If I have any questions, I will ask Mrs. Huber for clarification.
__________________________________ _______________________
Signature of parent/guardian Date
__________________________________ _______________________
Signature of parent/guardian Date
**Please fill out the SURVEY questions for parents/guardians on the next page. Gratiās!
SURVEY FOR PARENTS: Please complete this sheet to the best of your ability. Thank you!
Your name(s): __________________________________________________
Your student's name:_____________________________________________
At what point do you consider your student doing "poorly"?
The best time and way to contact me is (e.g., e-mail? Work? Home? Cell?):
My child's strongest subject is:
My child's biggest learning challenge is:
My child is really good at:
I am concerned about:
Anything else you'd like to ask or tell me?
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