Latin II Syllabus
School Year 2013-2014
Ms. Gephardt, Williamsburg Middle School
Contact Information
Please contact by email when possible: liz.gephardt@apsva.us
Telephone Number: 703-228-5450
Room Number: WW2
Homework is posted on the Williamsburg website under Staff and Electives:
http://arlington-k12-va-us.campuspack.net/Users/Elizabeth.Gephardt/Latin_II_Homework
Course Description
This course continues the program set forth in Latin I. The Latin readings become gradually longer
and more complex as students work into the reading of real Latin texts. Roman culture, history, and
mythology are studied in depth to round out students' knowledge of the Classical World. Grammatical
principles are reviewed and consolidated as students are introduced to Latin prose and poetry.
Lessons integrate the topics and skills outlined in the Virginia Standards of Learning for Latin II available
at the following link on pages 15 and 16:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/foreign_language/latin/complete/stds_latin14.pdf
Objectives
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By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Read and comprehend Latin text
Identify simple and complex grammatical patterns
Demonstrate an understanding of Roman civilization
Recognize elements of Latin in the English language
Compare and contrast Roman and North American cultures
Text and Supplemental Materials
 Textbook: Cambridge Latin Course Unit II; Fabulae Ancillantes
 Calendar: Assignment calendar for each stage are given for each stage. Check the homework
website for calendar updates.
 Composition Notebook
 Folder: Students may use a two-pocket folder, accordion folder or a section in a binder
 Writing implement: Blue pen, black pen or pencil
 Correcting Pen: Green, red, or another color pen to correct work in class
 Highlighter to mark reading passages
 Students must also purchase their own Latin-English English-Latin dictionary
 Web Resources: Blackboard, GoogleDocs Cambridge Latin Course Online, Quizlet, VoiceThread, Twitter
Topics of study and Timeline
Cambridge Latin Course Unit II Stages 15-18
September - January
Grammar Topics: 4th and 5th Declension Nouns, Neuter Nouns, Pronouns
Culture Topics: Roman Britain, Mythological Heroes and Villains, Alexandria Egypt,
Cambridge Latin Course Unit II Stages 18-20
January - June
Grammar Topics: Participles, Infinitives, Future Tense
Culture Topics: Hellenistic Age, Roman Cults, Roman Republic
Evaluation and Grading Procedures
Assessments
Student progress with language reading skills will be monitored and assessed through
formative and summative assessments. Students will be formally assessed through end-of-unit
readings, quizzes and tests, as well as a final exam in June. All students will also participate in
the National Latin Exam as a county-wide assessment in March. Use the following link to view
the National Latin Exam syllabus: http://www.nle.org/pdf/Syllabus2009-_I%20.pdf
APS Grading Scale
Letter
Grade
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
E
Percentage
90 – 100
87-89
80-86
77-79
70-76
67-69
60-66
0-59
Quality
Points
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.0
AP & IB Quality Points
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
0.0
 Student grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior
 Quarterly grades will round up when the percentage is .5 or higher

In addition to achievement, work habits as noted in the report card comments will be
evaluated for each course using the following symbols:
!
Surpasses Expectations
#
Meets Expectations
^
Approaching Expectations
N
Needs Improvement
 The final grade is required to be calculated using quality points or percentages, whichever
demonstrates a higher level of performance
World Languages Department Grading: Quarter, Final Exam and Final Grade Policy:
The World Languages Department does round up individual quarters, final exam grades and end-ofcourse grades. Any quarter grade ending in .5 will be rounded up.
 Final grades for the year will be calculated based on the quality points listed above.
 For the final grade calculation, each quarter grade and the final exam will be worth 20% each:
1st Quarter
B+
3.5

2nd Quarter
B
3.0
3rd Quarter
C
2.0
4th Quarter
A
4.0
Final Exam
B+
3.5
Final Grade
B
3.2 average
A final grade of .75 will be required in order to receive credit. However, a grade better than
2.5 is generally required to advance to the next level
Grade Components
Class Tasks are worth 35% of each quarter grade.
Class Tasks include keeping an organized notebook, completing readings and exercises, writing inclass translations, engaging in cultural discussions and presenting group dialogues. Class Tasks can be
graded for completion or evaluated according to a rubric given to the students at the beginning of an
assignment.
Homework is worth 10% of each quarter grade.
Given on most nights, homework is worth 10 points per assignment and is checked at the beginning
of class for effort and completion. Students are not allowed to go to their locker during class to
retrieve homework assignments. For high-school credit courses like Latin I, students can expect a
maximum of 30 minutes of homework per night, with most assignments taking between 15 and 20
minutes. Please click on this link for the Arlington Public Schools policy on homework:
http://www.apsva.us/cms/lib2/VA01000586/Centricity/Shared/School%20Board%20Policies/20Instr/20-2.120-homework.pdf
Students may earn 6 out of 10 points for turning in a late homework assignment. If a student misses 2
consecutive homework assignments, parents will be contacted and the student must come to an afterschool session to complete the work. When absent, students are responsible for turning in homework
within a week of returning to school to receive full credit.
Quizzes are worth 25% of each quarter grade.
Quizzes on grammar or vocabulary occur on a weekly basis. Within a marking period (e.g. from
interim until the end of the quarter), students may retake any quiz and the two grades will be averaged
together. Before retaking a quiz, students must correct their old quiz and demonstrate that they have
used online study tools in preparation for the retake.
Tests and Projects are worth 30% of each quarter grade.
Following each unit in the textbook, students are tested on reading comprehension, vocabulary,
grammar, and culture. There are usually 2-3 tests per quarter, with test dates posted one week in
advance. Tests are centered on sight-reading and are not eligible for retakes.
There is one creative or research project per quarter. Students have at least two weeks advance notice
for all projects which are begun in class and completed at home.
Expectations for students
 Bring textbook, composition notebook, and class calendar to every class
 Positively contribute to class discussions, and actively participate in all class tasks
 Students may receive points toward the “Letter and Star” program for participating in Certamen,
Saturnalia, and the Virginia Junior Classical League Convention
Consequences to Consider
Consequences for disrupting class include: parent contact, completing an assignment in an alternate
classroom, lunch detention, and referral to the main office.
After-School Hours
Students can work with Ms. Gephardt after school to make up assignments or receive extra help on
Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 in the Computer Lab in room 137. Other days are available by
appointment.
LATIN II SYLLABUS
PARENT AND STUDENT SIGNATURES
NOMEN DISCIPULI/AE: _______________________________________
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE LATIN I SYLLABUS FOR THE 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR
AT WILLIAMSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
___________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
__________
DATE
___________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE
__________
DATE
Preferred Telephone Contact:
Best time to reach:
____________________________
____________________________
Email addresses for reminders for field trips, progress reports and deadlines:
o
o
I received the test email message and do not need to update addresses
I did not receive the test email message. Please add these addresses to your list:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
LATIN II SYLLABUS
PARENT AND STUDENT SIGNATURES
NOMEN DISCIPULI/AE: _______________________________________
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE LATIN I SYLLABUS FOR THE 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR
AT WILLIAMSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
___________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
__________
DATE
___________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE
__________
DATE
Preferred Telephone Contact:
____________________________
Best time to reach:
____________________________
Email addresses for reminders for field trips, progress reports and deadlines:
o
o
I received the test email message and do not need to update addresses
I did not receive the test email message. Please add these addresses to your list:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________