2012-13 Latin 3 HonorsCourse Description

Dr. Donal McGayRadnor High School Room 220

Email: donal.mcgay@rtsd.org (preferred) Phone: 610-293-0855 ext. 3660

Contact info:

Dr. McGay’s Curriculum Dr. McGay’s Curriculum VitaeVitae

B.A. in Greek and Latin, B.A. in Greek and Latin, cum laudecum laude, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg College M.A. and Ph.D. in Classics, Fordham University.M.A. and Ph.D. in Classics, Fordham University. Dissertation: Dissertation: The Manuscript Tradition of The Manuscript Tradition of

Demosthenes: Oration 54, Against Conon.Demosthenes: Oration 54, Against Conon. Researched in many European libraries, incl. The Vatican Researched in many European libraries, incl. The Vatican

LibraryLibrary Lived in Rome for one year (2000)– visited all major architectural Lived in Rome for one year (2000)– visited all major architectural

sites and collected a digital photo library of 4, 000 + imagessites and collected a digital photo library of 4, 000 + images 2 for 1: Wife is also a professor of Classics at Villanova Univ.2 for 1: Wife is also a professor of Classics at Villanova Univ. Summer of 1998: studied at the American School of Classical Summer of 1998: studied at the American School of Classical

Studies at AthensStudies at Athens Used to be live-in caretaker and docent of historic house Used to be live-in caretaker and docent of historic house

museum in The Bronx, NY. The Valentine-Varian House museum in The Bronx, NY. The Valentine-Varian House (next page)(next page)

Welcome back to school and, more importantly, welcome to Latin 3 Honors! The following guidelines will ensure that you begin the year bono pede or on the right foot. Please read the syllabus and course expectations carefully and share them with your parents. Please also sign the end of the document.

Latin 3 Honors offers a broader study of the Latin language, and ultimately the completion of grammar instruction. Therefore, Latin 3 Honors will prepare the student for reading actual Latin authors, including those on the AP syllabus. After a review of Latin 2 H, we will continue reading Latin right away as we follow the career of Quintus Horatius Flaccus, more famously known as the poet Horace, who lived in the first century BC, and was a major player in the literary circles of his day. Through each of his episodes, we will learn about the ancient Roman way of life while studying the Latin language. Moreover, on “NLE days,” we will explore the history, myths and culture of the Romans.

Books, workbooks and materials

Required: Oxford Latin Course, Book III - 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.

A composition book (preferably college-ruled) for all written homework, class notes, and observation lists.

A 3 ring binder with a Latin section to organize notes and handouts. (Students will receive many handouts.) Suggestion: (1) get a 1½ inch binder with college-ruled paper (Students could divide the binders by: vocab handouts, grammar handouts, or by chapters, etc.); (2) Plastic sheet protectors for handouts that are referred to often.

lots of #2 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)  

**Failure to bring necessary materials to class means you learn less AND reduces your class participation grade- so bring everything EVERY DAY!

Recommended Materials and websites: 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. www.wordinfo.info is a wonderful resource for vocabulary and Greek and Latin derivatives. See my website for other great links.

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 Dr. McGay-Latin 3 Honors. Navigate to this from rtsd.org via the “Schools” tab, then RHS, then Teacher Web Pages.

*Honor Code*: In addition to observing the honor code for quizzes, tests and all assigned work outside of class, I will refuse to write a college recommendation for any student found cheating or cutting a Latin class. Initial on the document.

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 – although you may think I live under my desk, I don’t and I will not seek you out.

Quarterly Schedule

First Quarter:Review of Latin 2Oxford Latin Course, Book III, chapters 34-38Project: Ancient Dress-Up Day Second Quarter:Oxford Latin Course, Book III, chapters 39-42Project: TBDMidterm Examination 

Third Quarter:Oxford Latin Course, Book III, chapters 43-48National Latin Exam + Medusa Myth ExamProject: Annual Philadelphia Classical Society Competition 

Fourth Quarter:Oxford Latin Course, Book III, chapters 49-54Project: TBDFinal Examination

Grade Distribution Each Quarter: 40% - “Assessment” : Grammar/Translation Quizzes and Tests, + Projects/Presentations (Block Days)

30% - “Vocabulary” : Vocabulary Cards and Vocabulary Quizzes/Tests (Block Days)

16% - Homework

14% - Class Participation

Assessments: On HAC, the “Assessment” category includes assessments of grammatical concepts, forms, reading comprehension passages, translations, projects (see below) and may also include culture sections. There will be a test per each unit, following the completion of each review chapter in the textbook. Every Blockday we will have an assessment.

Projects & Presentations: Time permitting, one project or presentation will be assigned each quarter. These will include a Dress-Up As an Ancient Day, the annual Philadelphia Classical Society Project, poster projects, models, PowerPoints, and others.

Vocabulary: On HAC, the “Vocabulary” category includes vocabulary and derivative assessments, e.g., vocabulary quizzes, vocabulary tests, vocabulary puzzles, and vocabulary cards (see below). So, there will be approximately 2 quizzes for each chapter in the textbook given on Block days. Remember, grammar sections will be scored in the “Assessment” category in HAC; vocabulary sections in the “Vocabulary” 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 ON-LINE as per the instructions on the vocabulary card information sheet. Grades for vocabulary cards will be counted in the “Vocabulary” category. If you score an A on a vocab quiz, you are exempt from making cards for the next chapter.

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! All HW should be written in the composition book, unless otherwise stated. HW that should be in the composition book, but isn’t may be subject to a penalty. Scoring: Each student will start with 100 points total for each quarter. (Yeah! You already have an A!!! )No credit will be given for missed, late, unexcused or not properly done homework. “Properly” done HW means [1] the HW is ready on time at the beginning of class, and [2] all of the HW was attempted. No late HW will be accepted. And again, if you don’t remember what the assignment is, check the Latin 3 Honors HW page on the web!!!

Homework WebpagesHomework Webpages Follow the HW schedule on My Follow the HW schedule on My

Website Website The Homework Page is The Homework Page is your class page.your class page.

There should never be any There should never be any blank stares, mouths agape, blank stares, mouths agape, protests or other displays of protests or other displays of confusion over what the confusion over what the assigned HW is. You should assigned HW is. You should never be at a loss since we never be at a loss since we have this page !!! Ignorance have this page !!! Ignorance is not an excuse.is not an excuse.

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, being eager to stay in class (instead of looking for reasons to leave), volunteering answers (always by raising a hand), asking questions, giving examples, and voicing concerns or uncertainty.

Class Participation Class Participation (cont.)(cont.)

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.

Class Participation Class Participation (cont.)(cont.)

Scoring: All students will start with a Scoring: All students will start with a 100% participation record, and will 100% participation record, and will have to maintain that 100% by have to maintain that 100% by behaving like good citizens and behaving like good citizens and participating activelyparticipating actively in class. in class.

-5 pts will be deducted for every -5 pts will be deducted for every incident of inappropriate or incident of inappropriate or disruptive action or speech.disruptive action or speech.

Minimize the times you need to leave the classroom to go to the bathroom, locker, nurse, etc. You should not need to excuse yourself more than four times per quarter. Sign out on list. No food or drink in class, especially disposable plastic bottles. Let’s save the environment!

Cell phonesCell phones

Cell phone use during instructional time is a distraction and means you are not giving your full, undivided attention to the study of Latin. It also means you are not participating in class. Ergo, cell phone use is prohibited in class and will incur the following consequences: loss of 2 percentage points from your participation grade for each infraction.

NLE Days

On the last ¼ of block days, we will discuss Roman mythology, legends, history, culture, and other non-grammar topics. We will also use these days to prepare for the National Latin Exam and the Medusa Mythology Exam which are given in the spring. The other days of the week we will concentrate on learning the Latin language.

NB: I will put two or three questions from the information discussed during NLE on the weekly quizzes.

 

Monday

Tuesday

Block Day: Wed

Friday

Week 1 HW Vocab Cards Due

First ¾ of class : Vocabulary Quiz Last ¼ of class = NLE Day : Culture, Myth, History or NLE

HW

Week 2 HW HW First ¾ of class : Grammar & Translation Quiz Last ¼ of class = NLE Day : Culture, Myth, History or NLE

HW

•A Typical Bi-weekly schedule

(approximate and subject to change as necessary)

Phrase of the DayPhrase of the Day LatinLatin: Carpe diem!: Carpe diem! EnglishEnglish: Seize the day!: Seize the day! AuthorshipAuthorship: : Quintus Horatius Flaccus, aka “Horace” Quintus Horatius Flaccus, aka “Horace”

(65 bce – 6 bce) – famous Augustan Age poet and (65 bce – 6 bce) – famous Augustan Age poet and Epicurean Epicurean

DerivativesDerivatives: carpal, carpal tunnel syndrome, : carpal, carpal tunnel syndrome, metacarpal; diary, quotidian, diurnal, per diemmetacarpal; diary, quotidian, diurnal, per diem

Your InterpretationYour Interpretation: : CarpeCarpe really means “to pluck” a really means “to pluck” a flower or piece of fruit off a tree, so Horace suggests flower or piece of fruit off a tree, so Horace suggests that we should make the most out of the day as if we that we should make the most out of the day as if we were enjoying the smell of a flower or the sweet taste of were enjoying the smell of a flower or the sweet taste of a fresh fruit.a fresh fruit.