rm. 319
Grade 8 Policy Letter and Syllabus
Home
Grade 8
Grade 8 Honors
Grade 10 (11B) Honors
Favorite Links
Contact Me

Thursday, September 6, 2007

 

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

 

            Welcome to Grade 8 Latin Honors class!   I am hopeful this year that you will enjoy the continuation of your study of the language, history, culture, and mythology of the ancient Romans (and Greeks).  For more detailed information, please see the attached Grade 8 Syllabus.

 

            There are a few items I would like to mention.   Every day in class you will need a notebook, two pens/pencils and, of course, your textbook.   Please purchase a separate notebook (3 ring binder, a 1 inch will do fine) that you will use just for Latin.  We will divide it into sections.   I will show you in class tomorrow how I would like you to set up your notebook, so, make sure to have it with you starting tomorrow.

 

            There will be some sort of homework assignment every day. You can find the daily assignments on my class web page.   The URL is http://www.mindspring.com/~class319/  Usually the assignments will be written work with some study work as well.   Occasionally it will be simply to study for a whole period test.   It is not acceptable to hand in written homework late.   Of course, when a student is absent, there will be extra time for making up missed work.  Otherwise there are no exceptions to this.  

 

            Here is the grading policy for this class. 

 

            72% = quizzes and tests

            10% = notebook

            10% = project

             8% = homework

 

            The Classics Dept. runs a very successful and very active chapter of the National Junior Classical League.   We have many activities throughout the year: during Thursday’s Applied Academics club period, after school, and on weekends.   One of the many opportunities for 8th graders to get involved in is the Novice Certamen team (practices are during Applied Academics and after school). We also participate every spring in the MassJCL State Convention and every summer some of us attend the week-long National JCL Convention.  Earlier this summer 25 BLA students and 3 BLA teachers attended the 2007 national convention held this year at University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Our students earned many ribbons, awards, and honors.  They also had lots of fun!

 

            I would like all parents/guardians as well as students to sign below so that I may know you have read this.  Please hold on to this letter and the attachment and send in just the slip below.  Thank you. 

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                               Ms. Janet Fillion

Text:    Latin for Americans, First Book  (1997 edition) and Latin for Americans, Second Book  (1997)

            Edith Hamilton's Mythology

Workbook:   Latin for Americans, First Book (1997) 

 

The lessons that will be covered this year in are 1st Book: 31-54 (Unit 7-11) and 2nd Book: 10-23 (Unit 2)

     

The grammar covered in these lessons include the following:

1. nouns - 3rd declension neuter; I-stems; 4th declension; 5th declension

2. adjectives - interrogative; irregular of the 1st and 2nd declensions; 3rd declension; hic, ille, is; mille; idem;

ipse; 3rd person reflexive; comparison of regular and irregular adjectives

3. adverbs – 3rd declension adverbs; comparison;

4. verbs – possum; present and future participle; formation and use of the infinitive; subjunctive formation;

5. pronouns - relative; interrogative; demonstrative; intensive; reflexive

6. case/use - manner; time when; time within which; time how long; extent of space; respect; direct address;

         ablative absolute; dative with adjectives;

7. misc. - participial phrases as clauses; indirect discourse; hortatory subjunctive; purpose clauses;

    result clauses; temporal clauses; sequence of  tenses; deponent verbs; indirect commands; gerunds

    and gerundives; irregular verbs;

 

We will learn the Latin language primarily in its written form.   However, we will learn a certain amount of conversational Latin as well as some common Latin phrases or mottoes, some of which are used in English prose.  

 

An important component of the study of Latin is the concentration on English derivatives of Latin vocabulary.   In each of the lessons, there is a new set of vocabulary.   These new Latin words are the roots of many English words and time is spent in class going over such English words.   Often the words are ones that the students do not know and thus this is a way to increase their English vocabulary.  

 

There will be a written test at the end of most of the lessons.   The test will always include the vocabulary for that lesson.   The other questions will primarily cover what was learned in that lesson

 

There will be a product due each term.   The product consists of the Notebook, Homework, and the Term Project.   The Notebook consists of several  sections including the grammar charts, the grammar, vocabulary, and culture/history/mythology notes.  Near the end of each term the Notebook is collected and graded with comments as to the errors and omissions. Student then have a few days in which to correct these errors and omissions.    If the Notebook is completely corrected by the due date, the grade of 100% will be given.   Otherwise, the original grade stands.    

 

The Term Project is announced during the first part of each term.   Term projects may include map-making, costume-making, derivative posters, oral presentations, reports, etc.   Written homework is given every night unless there is a test the next day.  

 

Cultural topics are dealt with as they relate to the information given in the text.   Topics such as mythology, Roman history, ancient travel, famous Romans, and legends are all discussed at various times throughout the year.   The topics are introduced by readings in the text and teacher presentation.   The National Latin Exam, given in the month of March, is a national standardized exam that Honors students are expected to take.   This covers not only Latin grammar but also the student's knowledge of history, mythology and Roman culture.