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Course Descriptions:
Latin IA is the first course in a sequence that continues through Honors Latin in 11th and 12th grade. The course provides students with elements of basic Latin grammar and a start-up vocabulary of more than 500 core words encountered in classical Latin literature. Because this course represents most students’ first experience with foreign language study, there is also a focus on basic strategies learning a new language effectively in an academic setting. (Practice exercises)
Latin IB is a continuation of beginning level Latin that concentrates on learning via reading and the understanding and memorization of basic Latin grammar forms and their functions. By the end of Latin IB students should have: committed to memory the five noun declensions, a basic understanding of noun and verbs systems in Latin, and an introduction to syntax (participles & subjunctive forms.) Students will be introduced to basic Latin composition.
Latin II is a continuation of Latin IB and follows the Cambridge Latin series covering Stages 25-36 inclusively. As Latin IB concentrated on learning and memorizing basic Latin grammar, Latin II concentrates on sharpening and enhancing the students’ knowledge of grammar and syntax. This course introduces the students to complex grammatical and syntactical structures. An integral part of this course is derivative and cultural studies which will enhance the students’ knowledge of their own language and society as well as providing insight into the Latin language and Roman culture. By the end of this course, the students should be able to recognize and translate most of the subordinate constructions in Latin. Additionally, they will have learned all of the indicative tense forms in Latin. Students will continue to compose Latin sentences and will learn complex sentence composition.
Latin III completes the Cambridge Latin series by covering Stages 37-48. Upon finishing the Cambridge Latin series, the students begin reading Cicero’s First Catilinarian. The focus of this course is to complete and reinforce our knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax and to apply this knowledge to the reading of native Latin. Beginning with Stage 36, the students read Latin texts by various Latin authors ranging from the epigrams of Martial to the prose styles of Cicero, Livy, and Pliny. The students are also introduced to the poetry of Catullus, Ovid, and Vergil whose poetry is read for 11th & 12th grade Honors courses. By the end of this course students should have a working knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax with the ability to annotate texts and to read small sections of Latin text. Additionally, students will continue to compose complex Latin sentences.
Honors Latin IV continues Latin III in that the students have completed their formal grammatical training in Latin and are prepared to read Latin poetry. The primary focus of this course is to read Latin texts and to gain an understanding of Roman society and culture through its poetry. The course will review grammar, literary devices and metrics within the context of Latin poetry as compared with previous learning which occurred in a grammatical setting. By the end of the course, the students should have read between several hundred to a few thousand lines of Latin poetry. They should be confident in their translating, annotation and scanning skills.
Honors Latin V provides an opportunity for students, who choose to return to Latin for their senior year, to read Vergil’s Aeneid and take the AP Vergil exam. The primary focus of this course is to read the Aeneid (English and Latin) and to gain an understanding of Roman society and culture through its poetry. The course will review grammar, literary devices and metrics within the context of Vergil’s Aeneid. By the end of the course the students should have read nearly two thousands lines of Epic poetry. They should be confident in their translating, annotation and scanning skills.
French I introduces students to basic French through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students learn basic vocabulary and grammar that enables them to have short conversations, write letters, understand conversations and read select texts.The class also includes a cultural study of France and other francophone countries. In order to foster an appreciation for the language and culture, activities such as celebrating holidays, preparing French food, listening to music and watching French television shows and movies in class and at home are encouraged.
French II continues to focus on the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as the acquisition of more diverse vocabulary and advanced grammatical structures. French II also continues the cultural study of francophone countries, history and geography. Authentic materials and media are an important part of the course as students are encouraged to push themselves to greater proficiency. Students are able to give short presentations in French, hold longer and more complicated conversations and understand a variety of texts.
Spanish I is an introductory course that focuses mainly on speaking, listening, and reading. We also begin to write short sentences and then small paragraphs. The students learn basic grammar such as present, preterit and imperfect tenses of both regular and irregular verbs. Throughout the course students learn different functions such as buying school supplies, using transportation, and winter & summer outdoor activities. As the students learn to talk about these activities they also begin to learn about the differences between American culture and the Hispanic world.
Spanish II explores syntax more deeply such as the present perfect tense and the imperative and subjunctive moods as well as other more complex grammatical structures. Students progress from writing short paragraphs to one page essays using grammar learned in the classroom. We continue to work on listening comprehension and speaking in class. Students also learn about Hispanic culture such as food, art, and music.
Spanish III reviews the grammar we learned in Spanish II. The students are graded more heavily on using Spanish in class. We learn other tenses such as the future perfect, and many new vocabulary words are defined in Spanish instead of using English equivalents. Students begin to fine-tune their listening skills by listening to native speakers from different parts of the Spanish-speaking world and are tested often for their listen comprehension. In the second semester, students are frequently tested on their spoken skills i.e. fluidity, syntax, and vocabulary. Students progress from writing a one page essay to a two page essay. Level III also explores culture through history such as the Moors, the Conquistadors, as well as specific countries within the Hispanic world.
Spanish IV reviews the grammar of III. What is unique about this course is the ability to explore culture more in depth. Some examples are the following: (1) Cultural and ethical relativism and how this relates to social issues in the Spanish -speaking countries. (2) How Costa Rica has marketed itself as a green destination and the economic benefits it has reaped from this. (3) The war between the Contras and the Sandinistas. (4) Spanish colonialism in Equatorial Guinea and the Caribbean: African voices in Hispanic literature. (5) Raegueton: the birth of a new genre of music.
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