Latin 6 Home

Latin 6 Course Syllabus

Welcome to Latin 6

We are using a new book this year, Lingua Latina, the book comes with a workbook, Exercitia Latina, and other study aids. The workbook contains your primary homework assignments. You must keep it in good condition and turn it in when requested. Most times, I will simply check the workbook in class. If you have any questions about your homework grade at the end of each quarter you must have your workbook to show me.

Honorare maximum est!

Learning Latin is a challenge, but the rewards are great and the more you know, the more fun you will have reading. During the course of the year we will start learning Latin grammar. We will also learn about the various topics in Roman culture (the family, gladiators, and mythology). You will do projects on the Roman family, gladiators, and the voyages of the Roman hero Aeneas. Study hard, and you will have a great time in class.

This website is designed to give you all the information you might need about your Latin class, all in one place. You can check your homework, download study sheets or worksheets, download information on projects, and find links to websites related to class projects. Eventually you will be able to find some of your own work on view in the student gallery section.

Class Goals:

• To develop a basic ability to read Latin.
• To read, understand, appreciate, and discuss stories and readings about Roman culture, both in Latin and in English.
• To acquire some understanding of the civilization within which Latin literature was produced.
• To develop a sensitive and an analytical approach to language by seeing English in relation to a language of a very different structure and by observing the influence of the ancient language on our own language.

• Come to class on time.
• Bring your book, workbook, pencils, paper, and your Latin folder. You are responsible for your own paper and supplies. Consistently forgetting or needing to borrow can affect your participation grade.
• Bring your laptop when the laptop board is checked.
• Tuck in your shirt.
• Respect yourself, your classmates, the teacher, and the classroom itself.
• Speak only when it is your turn
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes in class.
• Raise your hand to volunteer, ask questions, or answer questions.
• Behave yourself.
• Follow along in the stories when others are translating so that you can get practice reading.
• Enjoy yourself.

*You will have a soft-bound text for your own use. You can write in this and you should keep it with you. There will be limited in-class, hard-bound copies to use. The workbook you are given is your only workbook. There are no additional copies.

Homework:

• General homework guidelines:
  • Homework must be neat.
  • Homework must be turned in on time.
  • Homework loses 5% credit for each day that it is late (except for chapter worksheets which earn zero credit if they are not in on the day we go over them).
  • Don't spend more than 20-30 minutes on homework.
     
• Graded translation guidelines:
  • Work BY YOURSELF!
  • Use your book.
  • Don't leave anything blank.
  • You may ask Dr. Talboy questions and make changes on the day the assignments is due.

Test/Quizzes:

• Use your book and the study sheet handed out in class or available online (in the handouts section) to prepare for tests and quizzes.
• For vocabulary, use the online flashcards in the resources section of this site.
• Study in short chunks (no more than 15 minutes at a time).
• I recommend studying in short chunks of time (no more than 15 minutes at a time).
• If you study 15 minutes a night for four nights, you will retain more than if you study for an hour and a half on one night.
• If you choose to study Latin for an hour, break up the time among different subjects (15 minutes on vocabulary, 15 minutes on noun/verb endings, 15 minutes on practice reading Latin stories/sentences from the book, and 15 minutes looking over the culture reading at the end of the chapter).
• For studying vocabulary and word forms, I recommend using a variety of strategies.
  • For principal parts and forms, the best way to study is by writing out the forms repeatedly (copying).
  • For vocabulary meanings, principal parts, and forms, you will find that making and using flashcards can be very helpful (cards).
  • Finally, practice forms by chanting them and have someone quiz you on vocabulary word meanings (chanting). While each of these strategies is good, you will have the best results if you use some sort of combination.
  • So remember: copying, cards, and chanting.

Grading:

• Tests: 20% Tests generally include sections on vocabulary, word forms, translation, grammar questions, and Roman culture.
• Quizzes: 10% Quizzes usually cover some specific point of grammar or vocabulary
• Homework (graded and marked): 25% Full credit can be earned for correct translations turned in on time, done neatly, and containing your name and section number.
• Participation: 20% Participation is based on good behavior and raising your hand to translate or answer questions. Remember, participation is NOT based on whether or not you make mistakes when translating orally. Raising your hand carries no risk!
• Projects: 25% If you turn in these assignments in on time, you get credit.

Extra Help:

I encourage every student to come by extra help for any reason. Extra help happens on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (3:30-4:05).