Middle School Expectations
Thomas Day Kent Jr

2010-2011

Text : New First & Second Steps in Latin by Episcopal’s Classics Department

Internet-Linked Romans by Anthoy Marks & Graham Tingay; Usborn Press

Part 1 The basic shape of class

a) An impromptu drilling of the recent vocab or endings.

b) An examination of the night's written assignment.

c) An introduction of any new grammar or concept

d) Some drills to reinforce the new concept

e) The assigning of the next HW along with any necessary explanations (will be put on the Website)

Part II Expectations: I expect all students to put forth their best efforts on a regular basis. I will assess this by recording whether a student ...

a) completes all assignments on time.

b) pays full attention in class.

c) participates in a polite and positive manner.

e) corrects all mistakes in green ink in the manner proscribed (see “The Art of Making Corrections”)

f) maintains a spiral notebook which contains the following:

1. daily homeworks (corrected in the prescribed manner)

2. notes on grammar (neatness counts)

3. a folder for all handouts

4. a folder for all returned quizzes and tests (properly corrected)

g) Comes for extra help if needed. (I will let your child know if he/she falls into this category.)

Part III A Comment on Homework:

a) Mastery of all vocabulary and endings is essential. Students should make a ritual of running through their flash cards every single night. [5 minutes nightly does wonders!]

b) Should not take too long: Students ought to complete the written assignments in less than 20 minutes.

c) Intended to be an exercise that builds confidence – It is designed to reinforce the material already covered in class. Will only rarely be collected and graded (and then only after the students have had a chance to ask questions and make appropriate “green ink” corrections in class.)

Part IV Some basic pedagogical practices

a) I try to be predictable: kids respond best if they know what to expect.

1. I avoid surprises (very few "pop" quizzes)

2. I always explain the format of all tests long before the test-day arrives

3. I even encourage students help me design the tests & quizzes.

b) I strongly encourage kids to take full ownership of their Latin experience.

c) I applaud good questions and reward the students who catch my mistakes.

d) I believe in the archaic practice of sentence diagramming.

e) I make an effort to be lively, dynamic and entertaining. The Latin experience should be fun!

Part V A Note on Grading: see attached page

Part VI How can you reach me if you have a concern. Email:

Phone: 484-424-1400 (x1714)

Part VII Why Latin?

One of the great advantages of learning Latin in the Middle School is that it compels students to revisit their initial efforts in learning their own English language. What they learned without conscious effort when they were learning to take their first steps will now be examined afresh as if under a microscope. In the 1st & 2nd forms, we systematically break down the syntax and grammar into its most basic elements and guide the students, step by step, in the process of how to analyze the data and formulate a proper response. It should be noted that in the classrooms of French or Spanish, the students’ experience is wholly different, for they are compelled to encounter the spoken word at the pace sound travels through space – for living languages can be delivered at no other speed, and time for reflective analysis is minimal at best. Latin is a dead language, and we embrace its “deadness” as one of its chief advantages – especially at the introductory level. In the long run, it is not just about Latin, the language of the Romans, but more about how the human mind acquires language, organizes ideas, and structures its thoughts. It is about how we learn to learn, and the benefits will pay great dividends in every other endeavor your child eventually pursues.

Part VIII A Note for Parents.

One of the great advantages of Latin is that parents for the most part are not able to give any direct help. The child, therefore, has to embrace the Latin challenge on his/her own; this, I assure you, is a very good thing, for an important part of the middle schooler's experience is learning to take full ownership of the academic process and their own learning. Latin, because of its rigor and consistency, ought to reward all students who develop a disciplined approach and a healthy attitude. Therefore, I urge parents to keep a healthy distance as their children grapple with the Latin challenge. And remember that while we all hope that our children will develop the skills to achieve "good grades", more important in the long run is the ability to deal effectively and independently with the challenges that life throws their way. …and Latin is the perfect sort of challenge to test the middle school mind. So encourage your child to embrace the Latin challenge with honest energy and effort.