Sioux Falls School District Latin I October 2010 Course Description Students will read words, phrases and simple sentences and associate them with pictures and other words, phrases or sentences. The class will focus on recognition and the reproduction of Latin sounds. The textbook follows the life of the Cornelius family in order for students to gain basic knowledge of the daily life of the ancient Romans. Culture days will focus on the accomplishments of the ancient Romans. Students will be able to use their knowledge of Latin in other subjects and increase their knowledge of English. Students will demonstrate language competency through written achievement evaluations and written performance assessments. Significant tasks are on the following topics: Pompeii, a god or goddess, an emperor and a Roman myth. . Course Guide Standards for Classical Language Learning Goal 1 COMMUNICATION Communicate in a Classical Language Standard 1.1 Students read, understand, and interpret Latin or Greek. Standard 1.2 Students use orally, listen to, and write Latin or Greek as part of the language learning process. Goal 2 Culture Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Greco-Roman Culture Standard 2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives of Greek or Roman culture as revealed in the practices of the Greeks or Romans. Standard 2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives of Greek or Roman culture as revealed in the products of the Greeks or Romans. Goal 3 CONNECTIONS Connect with Other Disciplines and Expand Knowledge Standard 3.1 Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through their study of classical languages. Standard 3.2 Students expand their knowledge through the reading of Latin or Greek and the study of ancient culture. Goal 4 COMPARISONS Develop Insight into Own Language and Culture Standard 4.1 Students recognize and use elements of the Latin or Greek language to increase knowledge of their own language. Standard 4.2 Students compare and contrast their own culture with that of the Greco-Roman world. Goal 5 COMMUNITIES Participate in Wider Communities of Language and Culture Standard 5.1 Students use their knowledge of Latin or Greek in a multilingual world. Standard 5.2 Students use their knowledge of Greco-Roman culture in a world of diverse cultures. Pacing After a 1 day introduction to the class, book, the teacher, policies and procedures, students will spend approximately 6 days per chapter in unit 1 which covers chapters 1-7. This allows sufficient time to learn vocabulary words, translate the chapter story, and complete the textbook exercises and the corresponding workbook pages before taking both the vocabulary and grammar test. On the vocabulary tests, students are given the Latin words and need to write the English meaning and the part of speech. Time is also spent on mandatory test and quiz corrections in order for students to continue to build as strong a base as possible before adding new concepts. Unit II encompasses chapters 8-12 and requires approximately 7 days per chapter to learn vocabulary words, translate chapter stories, complete textbook exercises and the corresponding workbook pages before taking the chapter assessments. Students are given Latin words on the vocabulary tests and need to write the correct English meaning. Chapter tests emphasize grammar, correct usage of Latin and translating from Latin to English. Mandatory test and quiz corrections continue. Unit III is the most difficult unit of the year and approximately 7-8 days per chapter are allotted to mastering the new content. Students continue to learn vocabulary, translate the continuing story of the Cornelius family, complete textbook exercises and supplement their learning with the workbook activities. Extra exercises and practice are often required in order for students to fully understand the agreement of nouns and adjectives across declensions. Vocabulary quizzes are now reversed, with the students giving the correct Latin words for the English listed on the quiz. The emphasis changes to verbs, an increased vocabulary list and translating longer passages from Latin to English in Unit IV. Approximately 7-8 days per chapter are needed for the students to fully prepare for the chapter tests. The pattern of vocabulary mastery, chapter story translation, textbook exercises and workbook activities is continued. English words are given on vocabulary quizzes and the students write the Latin words. One day per month is spent on a cultural emphasis as opposed to the Latin language. These days are typically unannounced and include a variety of topics such as Pompeii, Roman games, Spartacus, pomegranates, Hercules, Happy Birthday Rome, Julius Caesar Scavenger Hunt, Roman banquet, chariot races, Lupercalia, Saturnalia, etc. Material learned from culture days is used on semester tests to help students compare and contrast modern society to the Romans as well as appreciate the contributions of the Romans. The remaining days of the year, approximately 13, are spent on presentation of quarterly projects, review, unit tests and semester tests. Unit tests can take 2 days and include vocabulary tests, grammar tests and take home translation tests. There are review exercises prior to each unit test. Only written, not verbal, components are used in assessments. The focus is on the correct usage of Latin grammar and translating from Latin to English. Word study exercises, which focus on the linkage of Latin words to English derivatives are also included in each unit and are completed outside of class. Et Cetera Specific information regarding vocabulary, quarterly projects, and class updates are posted regularly on a website: Sites.google.com/site/latinatlhs/ Extra credit is offered to any student who finds Latin used today. Students write the Latin phrase, its meaning and where it was found on a Latina Momenta sheet posted on the bulletin board.