Latin 8 Home

Latin 6-8

Welcome to Latin 8 (Please note these pages are being updated.)

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 continue learning Latin grammar. We will also learn about the history of the Roman empire. You will do units on Virgil's Aeneid and on the Roman army. 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.

Expectations:

• Come to class on time.
• Bring your book, pencils, paper, and your Latin folder.
• 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.

Homework:

• Don't spend more than 20-30 minutes on homework, but don't leave anything blank.
• Homework must be turned in on time. Homework can be turned in late for half credit up to one week after it was due. After one week, missing homework earns a zero score.
• Homework must be neat.

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/Quizzes: 25/15% Tests generally include sections on vocabulary, word forms, translation, grammar questions, and Roman culture.
• Graded Homework: 15% Full credit can be earned for correct translations turned in on time, done neatly, and containing your name and section number.
• Participation: 25% 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: 20% If you turn in these assignments in on time, you get credit.
• Checked Off Homework: If you turn in these assignments in on time, you get credit.
• In addition there is a semester final that is worth 15% of the overall semester grade.

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).