AUGUST 4, 2003
WINTER SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
LATIN
MR. ROBIE-ROOM 6-203
Introduction: Welcome to Latin! In choosing to learn
Latin, you have set yourself among an elite company of scholars. You
have joined writers, artists, businessmen and statesmen who have long recognized
that a knowledge of the Latin language and the Roman culture that produced
it is both itself rewarding and is a springboard to a better understanding
of modern language and society. Congratulations!
Objectives: Our primary objective in this class will be to
master the Latin language, the effects of which echo in our own language.
Along the way we shall encounter fascinating topics in mythology, history
and culture. It is my firm belief that an understanding of Latin improves
a student’s understanding of English and ability to communicate powerfully
and effectively. An understanding of Roman life also informs students
of the classics about their own culture, because many remnants of antiquity
can be found in the modern world. Such perspective helps students of
Latin to get more of what they want from life. Finally, it is our objective
to have fun while doing all of the above!
Rules: In order to facilitate meeting the above objectives,
we must adhere to class rules. Additional rules may be announced as
need arises.
1. Each person in the class must respect themselves
and others at all times. Respect for yourself shows itself to others
when you always strive to do your very best and when you choose to exercise
control over your words and deeds. Respect for others includes keeping
your hands to yourself, and in refraining from saying or acting in a way
that puts down another student. Teasing and harassing will not be tolerated!
2. Each person in the class must come to class on time
with all of the required materials. Unless specifically stated,
students are to bring pencils, pens, paper, notebook and textbook to class
every day. Failure to do so steals time and opportunity to learn from
all members of the class. Passes will not be granted to retrieve forgotten
items.
3. Each student in the class is to remain in their seats
and to remain quiet, unless authorized by the teacher to do otherwise.
Disruption steals time and opportunity to learn from all members of the
class.
Procedures: In order to accomplish the class objectives, procedures
are necessary to guide everyone in mundane tasks. Additional procedures
may be announced as need arises.
1. The teacher will post daily class assignments prominently.
The students, upon entering the classroom, will write assignments in their
notebooks and begin as directed on assigned classwork.
2. Quizzes may be daily. They will take place within
the first minutes of class. They will generally be short (one to five
questions) and timed. The teacher will usually specifically state the
subject matter for each quiz on the previous day. The teacher reserves
the right to administer impromptu (“pop”) quizzes at any time (but hates
doing this!). Make-up quizzes will always be conducted before or after
school. It is your responsibility to schedule when you wish to make
up a quiz, and to keep to your scheduled make-up day. Missed make-up
quizzes will count as zeroes.
3. Papers for any graded assignment will be passed in for
evaluation from the back of rows to the front, then along the front row from
the front of class to the back.
4. Hall passes to retrieve class materials will not be
issued. Hall passes to go to the restroom will be issued if the student
asks respectfully and the student has not abused such a privilege in past
classes.
5. The class begins when you enter 6-203 and ends at the
bell. Maximum efficiency in class enhances learning and diminishes
homework, so this is our goal.
Penalties: Every rule and procedure that you CHOOSE to break
will result in a penalty. Breaking any rule a first time will start
the penalty procedure. Winter Springs High School and Seminole County
disciplinary procedures will be observed. Minor infractions may be
adjudicated locally in 6-203. Major disruptions will involve administration.
Rewards: Improper behavior will be swiftly penalized.
Proper behavior will be as swiftly rewarded. (You make things good
for me, and I will make things good for you!) The teacher will verbally
recognize proper behavior. Additional special rewards may be earned.
Grading: Grading is a tool that helps teacher and student identify
strengths and weaknesses in student mastery of the subject matter.
In this class there are four types of assignments: homework checks; homework,
classwork and quiz grades; test grades; and project grades. All assignments
are due on the date stated. No late assignments will be accepted.
Homework checks: The teacher will “check” most homework assignments
on the day they are due. Positive performance will earn a "check+"
(100% of the assignment points). Moderate performance will earn a "check"
(80%). Substandard performance will earn a "check-" (60%). Missing
homework will earn a zero (0%). Each homework assignment is weighted
by its importance, difficulty and time-consumption.
Homework, classwork and quiz grades: The teacher will sometimes collect
homework for a number grade. This may be announced the previous day
or may be unannounced. All collected homework and quizzes will receive
a number grade. Graded homework and quizzes will be weighted by individual
importance, difficulty and time-consumption.
Most quizzes can be retaken before or after school on two occasions: (1)
the school day after the initial quiz day, and (2) the school day after the
graded quiz has been returned. Requiz opportunities lost due to absence
are permanently lost.
Test grades: Test dates will be announced at least three class days
prior to the test. Tests will rarely be given on Monday
or Friday. All tests will receive a number grade. Tests will
be weighted by individual importance, difficulty and time-consumption.
Project grades: When the curriculum allows it, students will be assigned
projects. Students will sometimes be given options as to the topic
of a project they would like to do within assigned parameters. Exceptional
projects may earn extra credit.
Extra credit: Extra credit is offered on occasional quizzes and other
assessments. No extra credit will be offered to individual students
under any circumstances. Students do not need extra credit when they
apply themselves consistently and conscientiously. In other words,
do not ask me to do extra work because you did not do your work the first
time.
Cheating: Cheating is treated as a serious matter in 6-203.
To ensure that you are aware of what definition of cheating will be employed
in 6-203, please refer to the following:
Cheating is thus defined as a conscious deliberate act designated to further
the interests of the party or parties concerned. In includes, but is
not limited to the following:
1. Cheating on tests or academic assignments, including
but not limited to the following:
o looking at someone else’s paper during an examination,
test, quiz, etc.,
o talking with other students during an examination, test,
quiz, etc.,
o using any kind of cheat notes or unauthorized materials,
o letting someone else see or use one’s work at any time
during an examination, test, quiz, etc.,
o copying work assigned to be done independently or letting
others copy one’s work or another’s work. This includes computer-generated
information and programs,
o giving test information or receiving it from other students,
o fabricating or altering laboratory data or submitting
reports based on falsified or fictitious data or footnotes,
o reporting on a book report one has not read or reporting,
without teacher permission, on a book previously read,
o purposely using deceitful practices to improve one’s
grade or someone else’s grade.
2. Plagiarism, including but not limited to the following:
o submitting individual projects not wholly one’s own without
teacher approval,
o misrepresenting others’ work as one’s own,
o copying or closely paraphrasing sentences or passages
from an uncited source while writing a paper or doing research. This includes
Internet sources.
3. Stealing tests, quizzes, answer keys and other assessment
information, including but not limited to the following:
o accessing and disseminating information about tests and
quizzes stored in computers,
o distributing stolen information to other students.
The teacher's professional judgment, with the concurrence of the school administration,
will determine whether cheating has occurred. If there is clear and convincing
evidence that a student intended to cheat, the penalties as outlined in the
school’s disciplinary code will be invoked.
All materials for review must be neat. If the teacher must expend additional
energy to decipher sloppy work, the grade on the assignment will reflect
this. Spelling and grammar count! Misspelling English words will
result in lost points. Some of these points may be earned back by copying
the missed word as directed by the teacher (usually x50). Poor grammar
will also count off. Every time the teacher expends ink and effort
correcting an error affects the grade.
I am looking forward to a successful year, as I hope you are as well.
The study of Latin is fun and rewarding. I wish you all the best in
this class this year. Thank you for choosing to take Latin!