Course Syllabus: Latin 2

Teacher: Robert Giasson

Email: rgiasson@houstonisd.org
Room: E203
Conference: A Day: 8:30-9:55/B Day: 1:30-2:30

Introduction: Welcome back for another great year at BCMA! Lets hope this - your final year - will be the
best of all. It has been my absolute pleasure working here at BCMA the past three years. Having lead the
Latin program since its inception, it has been a joy to watch the program grow, and I am excited to be able
to help that tradition continue. My passion for education is only equal to my passion for Classics the
combination of which has landed me in the best place I could imagine: BCMA. In conjunction with the rest
of the BCMA Latin team, the administration, students, and parents, I hope to make this year even better
than the last.

Course Description: It is imperative that students and parents know that THIS IS A HIGH SCHOOL
CREDIT COURSE! Your performance in this class will follow you. It will appear on your high school
transcripts, which you will eventually submit to prospective colleges. This course will require great effort,
with nightly homework and near-weekly quizzes, but success for all students is obtainable and expected!
This year we will continue your journey through the Cambridge Latin Course, and in doing so, we will
expand our knowledge of the Latin language and the historical and social context in which it was spoken.

Text: Teacher Generated Materials and Cambridge Latin Course Unit III.

Supplies/Materials Needed: Students are expected to bring a writing utensil and a notebook to class
every day, without exception. Note taking will be a regular occurrence; being able to access these notes in
an organized and easy fashion will be a valuable asset.

Academic Grading System: Students will be evaluated by a system closer resembling a true high school
course. Major grades (tests, projects, quizzes) will count for 40% and Minor grades (classwork,
homework, participation, etc.) will count for 60%.

Instructional Activities: Because students are coming in at different levels, the first three weeks of this
course will be spent entirely on review. It is crucial that all students have a firm grasp of the content from
Stages 1-20 before we proceed. After this review, we will cover Stages 21-27 in the Fall, and 28-34 in the
Spring. Depending on timing, we may begin the mysterious Purple Book.

Grammar Quizzes: A grammar quiz will be given in each Stage. These quizzes usually consist of four
Latin sentences to be translated, with three grammatical questions per sentence. This is followed by a
demonstration of knowledge of that Stages particular grammatical element (declension, conjugation,
etc.). All sentences and questions will have already been covered in class! For those that pay close
attention and take good notes, the quiz will pose no threat.

Stage Tests: Each Stage will end with a cumulative test. This test will consist of various elements:
reading comprehension, grammatical knowledge (from that Stage and those previous), Latin vocabulary
and derivatives, and culture.
 2017-2018 Latin II Syllabus - Giasson

Homework: Homework is assigned and checked daily. Although homework may not always be graded, it
is indispensable practice for a language course that moves as quickly as we do on a block schedule.

Notebook Policy: It is extremely important that students organize a useful notebook. This should
consist of written notes of important grammatical concepts and vocabulary learned in the class in the
form of warm-ups, explorations, and lectures. Notes will not be allowed on exams, but they will be your
most valuable asset in studying.

Class Rules and Consequences: The school's policy regarding academic honesty, tardiness, truancy,
behavior, use of electronic devices, eligibility for extra-curricular activities, and dress code, as defined in
the Student Handbook, will be followed. Electronic devices such as cell phones, listening devices, and
gaming devices are not allowed during class time. If such devices are used in class, they will be
confiscated immediately by the instructor and turned into administration during that school day. This
action aligns with the school policy stated in the Student Handbook.

Late Work Policy: The schools policy in regards to late work will be followed. Students will have a
maximum of three days (not class periods) to complete and submit a late assignment. That assignment
will be valued at a maximum of 85% the first day, 75% the second, and 65% the third.

Attendance: Attendance is extremely important. To earn credit for this class a student can accumulate no
more than three unexcused absences per semester. Unexcused absences will result in a zero for all
assignments missed, including exams. Students with an excused absence will be allowed to make up a
missed exam on the day that the student returns to class.

Code of Conduct: Citizenship grades are issued every three weeks which start at the beginning of every
grading period. The following four criteria will be used to determine the citizenship grade for
participation in learning, follows classroom rules, displays on-task behavior, and is respectful to
others. These characteristics are defined in the following manner:

Participation:
Student is engaged in class discussions and questioning
Student actively seeks to further his/her personal learning through questioning and self-reflection
Student completes all assignments to the best of his/her ability

Follow classroom rules:

Student arrives to class promptly and prepared with the required materials
Student follows directions and works collaboratively
Student is respectful to self and others at all times
Student completes all assignments and assessments honestly
Student does not eat or drink in the classroom at anytime (with the above-noted exceptions)
Student avoids the use of cellular phones, iPods, and all other prohibited electronic devices
Display on-task behaviors:
Student consistently works in learning centers, in home groups or when working independently
Student actively completes the assigned task and remains focused
Student is engaged in the work from this class (not work from another class)
Students are awake in class at all times (students who fall asleep in class may be sent to the nurse)
Respectful to others:
Student treats others with kindness
Student allows teacher and classmates to speak without interruption
 2017-2018 Latin II Syllabus - Giasson

Student allows classmates to focus on work without distractions

Student handles class resources with care
Student refrains from making discouraging or hurtful comments toward others

Support and Tutoring: This is a very challenging course, but help is available! My designated after-
school tutorials are Mondays 4:15-5:15 (subject to change), but I am willing to stay any day of the week
to help a student who might have questions or difficulty. Do not let your confusion linger! The sooner you
reach out, the sooner you will have success. Due to the potential gap in knowledge, I have created a
website that contains comprehensive review materials. It will also contain supplemental materials for
each Stage as we progress throughout the year.

www.latinasaxa.weebly.com

Use it often.

Online Grade Access: Parents and students are expected to monitor course grades and attendance
information via the Internet through HISDs parent connect/Gradespeed. I do my very best to have
grades submitted in a timely fashion. The sooner a student receives feedback, the more valuable it is. If
you notice a lack of grades or a delay in their input, please email me!

Contact me:
Email: rgiasson@houstonisd.org (highly recommended, I check daily and will respond)
Phone: (713) 942-1932 (I will not personally answer, but leave a message with the front office
and I will respond as soon as possible.)

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I look forward to working with you and your student to make this a great school year. If you have any
concerns regarding your students progress, please contact me. Please make sure you review and discuss
this syllabus with your student.

Sincerely,

Magister Giasson
 2017-2018 Latin II Syllabus - Giasson

Student:
I have read the syllabus and I will do my best to succeed in this class.

Name (print neatly): ___________________________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian:
I have read the syllabus and will support my son/daughter to succeed in this class. I also acknowledge that my student is
enrolled in a high school credit course.

Name (print neatly): ___________________________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________________________________

Comments are welcome:

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Please make sure the office has your contact information up to date. This is the only way we can reach you.
Did you move? Change jobs? Change your cell number? If you have not notified the office, you may neatly
write any changes here and I will forward it to the office.
Also, please use PARENT CONNECT and STUDENT CONNECT.
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