8Th Grade Latin 2014-2015

8th Grade Latin  2014-2015

Radnor Middle School

Mr. Tom Hagan

Email: (preferred)

Phone: 610-386-6300, ext. 7113

Salvē! Welcome back to school and, more importantly, welcome to Latin One! The following guidelines will ensure that you begin the year on the right foot. Please read them carefully and share them with your parents. Please also sign the end of the document.

8th Grade Latin gives the students a broad introduction to the language, history, myths and culture of the Romans. We will begin reading Latin right away as we follow a typical, yet fictitious, family called the Horatii who lived in the first century BC. Through each of their episodes, we will learn about the ancient Roman way of life while picking up the language. Moreover, on “Mythological Mondays” or “Fabulae Fridays” we will explore the history, myths and culture of the Romans. Bonam Fortunam!

Books, workbooks and materials

Required:

 Oxford Latin Course- Part One - This is a state book that you will sign out at the beginning of the year, COVER, and return at the end of the year.

 Either a Composition Book or a Three-Ring Binder with notebook paper- whichever you prefer to use, as long as you have a place to write notes and do exercises and have things neat and organized for notebook checks.

 lots of pencils and/or blue or black pens & colored pens (for corrections-green, red, pink, purple, etc.)

 lots of 3” x 5” index cards for vocabulary and derivatives (get a brick of cards and keep them at home)

Recommended:

 A grammar insert or quick reference guide: Spark Notes Latin Grammar, or “Graphic Latin Grammar.”

 Latin- English dictionary: Harper Collins, Bantam, Larousse and Oxford are all good editions.

 www.nd.edu/~archives/latgramm.htm is also a great online Latin/English dictionary.

 is a wonderful resource for vocabulary and Greek and Latin derivatives.

 See my website for other great links.

ABSENCES:

• If you miss class for any reason other than illness/accident, you are expected to be prepared, with homework complete, on the next class day. I expect you to email me the reason for your absence no later than the day of the absence. Field trips and other planned absences do not excuse you from homework and test preparation. Please notify me in advance if you plan to miss class so that I can give you the work ahead of time.
• Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up in a timely fashion. (Please see homework policy in the student handbook.) The student is responsible to come speak with me to make the necessary arrangements .

If a student needs help outside of class he/she should see me ASAP to schedule a meeting.

For updated information and practice opportunities throughout the year, check out the class website, under Mr. Hagan-8th Grade Latin. Navigate to this from rtsd.org via the “Schools” tab, then RMS, then Teacher web pages.

Quarterly Schedule

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8th Grade Latin  2014-2015

Radnor Middle School

Mr. Tom Hagan

Email: (preferred)

Phone: 610-386-6300, ext. 7113

1

8th Grade Latin  2014-2015

Radnor Middle School

Mr. Tom Hagan

Email: (preferred)

Phone: 610-386-6300, ext. 7113

1

8th Grade Latin  2014-2015

Radnor Middle School

Mr. Tom Hagan

Email: (preferred)

Phone: 610-386-6300, ext. 7113

Tests: On HAC, the “Test” category includes assessments of grammatical concepts, forms, reading comprehension passages, translations, projects (see below) and may also include culture sections, but NOT vocabulary. There will be a test per each unit, following the completion of each review chapter in the textbook. Most tests and quizzes will be announced.

Projects & Presentations: Time permitting, one project or presentation will be assigned each quarter. These will include the annual Philadelphia Classical Society Project, poster projects, models, PowerPoints, and others.

Quizzes: On HAC, the “Quiz” category includes vocabulary and derivative assessments ONLY, i.e., vocabulary quizzes, vocabulary tests, vocabulary puzzles, and vocabulary cards (see below). So, there will be approximately 2 quizzes (a vocab quiz and a grammar quiz) for each chapter in the textbook. Most tests and quizzes will be announced. Remember, grammar sections will be scored in the “Tests” category in HAC; vocabulary sections in the “Quiz” category in HAC. By isolating distinct vocabulary and grammar grades, the teacher (and parents and students) can better see areas of need.

Vocabulary Cards: For each chapter, you must make vocabulary cards from the prepared lists found in your books and online . Grades for vocabulary cards will be counted in the “Homework” category.

Homework: Homework is a necessary tool for reinforcing language concepts, and for preparing for assessments. Think of HW as practicing Latin, much in the same way you would practice a musical instrument or practice drills in sports. HW is never busy work! If you don’t remember what the assignment is, check the 8th Grade Latin HW page on the web!!!

Class Participation: All students are expected to behave like good citizens and participate actively in class. This includes appropriate student behavior: e.g., arriving to class on time, sitting in your assigned seat, volunteering answers (always by raising a hand), asking questions, giving examples, voicing concerns or uncertainty, etc. It’s OK to be brilliant, and it’s also OK to need clarification during a lesson, but it is not OK to keep silent when something doesn’t make sense. Remember, if you do not understand something, there is a strong possibility that someone else in the class also does not understand (there are no “dumb” questions!). We will have an encouraging and fruitful class environment in which students will not be afraid to contribute and ask questions.

Minimize the times you need to leave the classroom to go to the bathroom, locker, nurse, etc.

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8th Grade Latin  2014-2015

Radnor Middle School

Mr. Tom Hagan

Email: (preferred)

Phone: 610-386-6300, ext. 7113

Please sign and return this paper, acknowledging that you and your parents/guardians have read and understood this document. Keep this document in the front of your class notebook.

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Student Signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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