School Without Walls:
Latin Program: Summer Assignments
Questions? Contact Magistra Brinley: jane.brinley@dc.gov
Entering Latin I:
TASK: select and read a book from the attached list: “School Without Walls: Latin I and II
Reading List.” Write a report being sure to follow the directions and study the rubric on
the “Instructions for Writing a Book report” sheet.
DUE in two ways: on Turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m. on August 27th AND hard copy due in
class the first day of class. The hard copy must be identical to the version you submit to
Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com Latin I Class ID: 5188561; password: Roma
Entering Latin II: there are two assignments:
I) select and read a book you have not read before from the attached list: “School Without
Walls: Latin I and II Reading List.” Write a report being sure to follow the directions and
study the rubric on the “Instructions for Writing a Book Report” sheet.
DUE in two ways: on Turnitin.com Monday 8/27 by 11:59 p.m. AND hard copy due in
class the first day of class. The hard copy must be identical to the version you submit to
Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com Latin II class ID 5188557 password: 753BC
II) Sometime in August, not before, warm up your Latin skills by completing Review 4: Ex
1-7 (attached). Follow the directions for each exercise (these are helpful because there’s
an example for each). Use a
Latin dictionary or an on-line Latin dictionary for any
words you do not know. Consult your Latin I binder if you need to be reminded of
grammar points.
DUE: in class the first day of class.
Entering Latin III: there are two assignments:
I.
Select and read one of the books below. Write a report being sure to follow the
directions and study the rubric on the “Instructions for Writing a Book Report”
sheet.
DUE in two ways: on Turnitin.com Tuesday August 28th by 11:59 p.m. AND hard
copy due in class the first day of class. The hard copy must be identical to the
version you submit to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com Latin III class ID: 5188560;
password: Ovid
Harris, Robert.
LeGuin, U. K.
Homer
II.
Imperium or Conspirata or Lustrum
Lavinia
The Iliad (in translation)
Sometime in August, not before, warm up your Latin skills by completing Review 2
Exercises 1-6 (attached). Follow the directions for each exercise (these are helpful
because there’s an example for each). Use a Latin dictionary or an on-line Latin
dictionary for any words you do not know. Consult your Latin I binder if you need
to be reminded of grammar points. Due in class the first day of class.
Entering AP Latin: there is one assignment and one extra credit opportunity
I.
Summer Assignment: In order to expand you knowledge and imagination about
the period in which Caesar and Vergil wrote, obtain a copy of one of the books
listed below that you have not read before. Read it and write a report being sure to
follow the directions and study the rubric on the “Instructions for Writing a Book
Report” sheet.
DUE in two ways: on Turnitin.com Tuesday August 28th by 11:59 p.m. AND hard
copy due in class the first day of class. The hard copy must be identical to the
version you submit to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com AP Latin class ID 5188561;
password: Vergil
Holland, Tom. Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic
Engrossing retelling of the end of the Republic; this book will give you a sense of the period in
which Caesar and Virgil lived and the social and political issues they faced.
Harris, Robert. Imperium or Conspirata or Lustrum
Vivid series of historical novels on the life and career of Cicero.
LeGuin, U. K. Lavinia
Aeneas’s arrival in Italy told from the point of view of a local princess.
Homer. The Iliad
Read this in translation. I recommend Lattimore but there are other fine ones
too. Virgil assumes his readers know the Iliad. By reading this book you will not only read one of the
greatest most significant works of world literature, but you will deepen your appreciation of the Aeneid.
If you elect to do this book, read it but also I encourage you to listen to it in an audio format. You can
find these at the library or on-line.
II. Extra Credit: Studying the AP Latin syllabus is daunting and lengthy, and
you will have many demands on your time once the school year starts. To get a
jump-start on reading the Aeneid in translation, I am offering this voluntary
summer reading project, which adds points to your first advisory grade but does
not deduct any if you opt not to do the assignment.
Task: buy and read a verse (poetry) translation of the Aeneid books I-IV. As you
read, take the following notes (these notes will serve as the beginning of a
comprehensive notebook for the year ahead). Be sure to record the book and line
number for each citation for future reference. You will be very glad you did this
in April 2013 when you have huge amounts of material to review in a short space
of time. Each item below, fully complete, is worth two points.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Write a summary of each book in your own words. Minimum five sentences
each.
Make a list of the top 10 main characters in the Aeneid and identify them as
either an ally or an adversary of Aeneas.
Make a relationship page. Observe and comment on the following relationships
in the Aeneid: lovers, best friends, father and son, father and daughter, and
husband and wife. Be sure to list at least one specific pair for each category
and give some identifying details.
Make a page with a list of supernatural interventions; list the gods and minor
deities, their role with respect to the main characters, and the role of Fate in
the epic.
Make a geography page. List or draw a map of Aeneas's route; list the major
cities, islands, and landings as well as the major event at each location.
Vergil explores many overarching themes of human existence: jealousy, love,
anger, rage, loss of innocence, pursuit of excellence, compassion for others,
pride, and recognition of mortality/sacrifice. Make a page for each of those
themes and add characters and brief scene summaries in list form with the
book and line cited.
Female Characters: list and pay particular attention to the role of female
characters in the epic. How are they unique? How do they follow convention?
Describe each major female character's role.
Make a War Page. Define the adversaries in the major war covered in the early
books
Instructions for Writing a Book Report
A. Elements
In a one page typewritten report include the following:
1. your name and the date at the top
2. also at the top, a bibliographic-style listing of the book’s author, title,
publisher and publication date.
Example:
Bowman, Alan K. Life and Letters on the Roman Frontier: Vindolanda and Its People.
New York: Routledge, 1994.
3. Provide a list of the main characters with brief description (1 sentence
minimum) of each. Follow this list with a summary of the plot written in one well
developed paragraph of at least 5 sentences.
4. write a paragraph in which you offer your opinion of the book: if you liked
it, say why in some detail; if you did not like it, also say why providing some detail
to explain. Minimum five sentences.
B. Format
Your type-written report should be about one page long and may not be longer
than two pages. It must be single spaced in a font of 10 or 12 point size (no larger)
with margins at 1 inch.
C. Point Value
50 points
How will I be graded? See the rubric on the back of this sheet.
BOOK REPORT RUBRIC
Nomen ________________
Format:
name
date
bibliographic listing
typewritten
single spaced
1 page in length
font 10pt-12pt
margins 1”
list characters
Book Title__________________________
(0-4 pts)
Yes (1-2pts)
______
_______
_______
______
_______
_______
________
________
________
No (0 pts)
______
______
______
______
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Total: _____
Content and Quality:
0-3 points
4-7 points
8-10 points
Total:
Many cross outs,
Some smudges, some No
cross
cross outs or smudges,
Neatness,
crumpled,
smudged,
poor
outs,
print
quality
paper
crisp, print quality
Presentation,
print quality.
adequate; some errorshigh.
of Very few or no
Mechanics (spelling,
Many errors of mechanics
mechanics, appears tomechanical errors; clearly
punctuation,
throughout the work, have
not been proofed and
proofread and revised
grammar)
proof read
revised.
0-3 points
4-7 points
8-10 points
Total
List complete, too wordy
List complete, descriptions
Character List PlotCharacter list incomplete.
Summary
confusing+
or
too
brief.
Summary
vivid. Summary clear,
Summary
incomplete, under 5 clear, complete, 5
sentences
sentences.
complete with interesting
details, well written
Opinion Paragraph
0-3 points
4-7 points
8-10 points
Total:
Less than 5 sentences,5little
sentences,good detail,
5 sentences, well written,
content
or no detail, written some thought evidentinteresting, plentiful
without thought
details, evidence of
thought
Grade:_____/50
School Without Walls: Latin I and II Reading List
Aim: to expand your knowledge and imagination of the ancient world by reading a novel set in that
period. Directions: spend some time at the bookstore, the library or on line and select and read a book
which interests you. Then write a book report on your book. Be careful to follow the directions given for
the book report. See the assignment sheet for due date details.
Wilder, Thornton.
The Ides of March masterful, by a great American novelist
Bradshaw, Gillian
Render Unto Caesar historical mystery/romance set in Rome
Harris, Robert
Pompeii, set during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius
Graves, Robert
I, Claudius brutal and fascinating
Renault, Mary
The King Must Die novel of the story of Theseus, prince of Athens
Renault, Mary
Fire from Heaven childhood and youth of Alexander the Great
Renault, Mary
The Last of the Wine romance set in Athens during the era of Socrates
Renault, Mary
Mask of Apollo an actor in Athens during the time of Plato
Sutcliff, R.
The Lantern Bearers ancient Britain after the Roman legions withdraw
Sutcliff, R.
The Eagle of the Ninth they made the 2011 movie from this book
Sutcliff, R.
The Mark of the Horse Lord. Ancient Britain among the northern tribes
Sutcliff, R.
The Silver Branch
Sutcliff, R.
Sun Horse, Moon Horse
Sutcliff, R.
Song for a Dark Queen
Yourcenar, M.
Memoirs of Hadrian; very sophisticated; by a great French writer
Saylor, Steven
anything from the ROMA SUB ROSA series of historical mysteries featuring
Gordianus the Finder and set in the ancient Rome of Cicero, Caesar, and Cleopatra.
The novels, in chronological order, are: ROMAN BLOOD (1991), ARMS OF NEMESIS
(1992), CATILINA’S RIDDLE (1994), THE VENUS THROW (1995), A MURDER ON
THE APPIAN WAY (1996), RUBICON (1999), LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA (2000), A
MIST OF PROPHECIES (2002), THE JUDGMENT OF CAESAR (2004), and THE
TRIUMPH OF CAESAR (2008)
Davis, Lindsey
Any book in this author’s mystery series set in the ancient world: Rebels and
Traitors, Course of Honour, The Silver Pigs, Shadows in Bronze, Venus in Copper,
Last Act in Palmyra, Time to Depart, A Dying Light in Corduba, Three Hands in the
Fountain, Two for the Lions, One Virgin Too Many, Ode to a Banker, A Body in the
Bath House, The Jupiter Myth, The Accusers, Scandal Takes a Holiday, See
Delphi and Die, Saturnalia, Alexandria, Nemesis, Master and God