Quarter 1, Week 6 (9/13-9/17)

3rd Grade

Third grade is continuing to learn geographical terms. We have also begun learning the names of the Latin noun cases. Ask your child if he or she can name the cases for you. If they need help, tell them that the first one is "Nominative".

I am again asking for two nights of vocabulary study from the third graders (meaning two signatures on the practice log sheets). Students can study their flashcards (which we have made in class) or the 1.1 and 1.2 Quizlet sets (https://quizlet.com/_8jv31p?x=1jqt&i=25j8cs and https://quizlet.com/_8jv3vj?x=1jqt&i=25j8cs).

4th Grade

We are continuing our review of the first chapter of Lingua Latina. I am again asking for three nights of vocabulary practice this week. Students should be studying the 1.3 words (on the comprehensive lists I gave them in class and which can be downloaded from the "Course Documents" page) or the 1.3 Quizlet set (https://quizlet.com/_8jv4fz?x=1jqt&i=25j8cs).

5th Grade

We have our first vocabulary test this week (over the 5.1.1 list). 5C and 5A will have it on Wednesday 9/15. 5D and 5B will have it on Thursday 9/16. The study guide is a crossword puzzle that is due on the day of the test. If your scholar loses his or her copy of the crossword puzzle, you can download and print it out from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1emP6MJO9gJ9sgJy0bj6Zyocc5f_2QBk9/view?usp=drivesdk.

We also have vocabulary practice logs this week. Doing the crossword puzzle can count for one night of the required three nights of study this week (in other words, when your scholar completes the crossword puzzle, sign log sheet for that day). Practice logs are due next Monday. Replacement log sheets can be found on the "Course Documents" page.

The Quizlet set for 5.1.1 can be found here: https://quizlet.com/_a143ws?x=1qqt&i=25j8cs.

6th Grade

We have our first vocabulary test this week (over the 6.1.1 list). 6B and 6D will have it on Wednesday 9/15. Due to a scheduling conflict, 6A and 6C will take their tests on Monday 9/20 rather than Thursday 9/16, as was originally planned. The study guide is a crossword puzzle that is due on the day of the test. If your scholar loses his or her copy of the crossword puzzle, you can download and print it out from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BLv7NEWGa5wZV7vcaxVfvtnWgK8dezAS/view?usp=drivesdk.

We also have vocabulary practice logs this week. Doing the crossword puzzle can count for one night of the required three nights of study this week (in other words, when your scholar completes the crossword puzzle, sign log sheet for that day). Practice logs are due next Monday. Replacement log sheets can be found on the "Course Documents" page.

The Quizlet set for 6.1.1 can be found here: https://quizlet.com/_a1ze9u?x=1qqt&i=25j8cs.

Quarter 1, Week 5 (9/6-9/10)

3rd Grade

This week we are continuing to read from chapter 1 of Lingua Latina and to learn about the geography of the ancient Roman Empire. On Thursday and Friday, we'll engage in a little corporate storytelling as we create our own insula (our own island) together on the white board, giving it features such as fluvii (rivers), oppida (towns), silvae (forests), montes (mountains), and more - and giving all these features names!

4th Grade

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 4th grade classes will also be creating their own insulae together. Then, on Thursday and Friday, we will finish reviewing chapter 1 of Lingua Latina.

5th Grade

This week is a variety of vocabulary review games as we get ready for our first vocabulary test. I have decided to move that test to Week 6 (9/15 or 9/16, depending on the class). The test will be over the 5.1.1 list, for which the scholars should already have made flashcards. The Quizlet set is here.

6th Grade

This week I will hand out paper copies of the 6.1.1 vocabulary list (Quizlet set here), which is simply a reduced list of the 31 words we learned last year that are most important for chapter 7 of Cambridge Latin Course. We will continue rapidly reading through chapters 3 and 4 this week. Then, next week we will have a test over the 6.1.1 list.

Quarter 1, Week 4 (8/30-9/3)

... And Practice, Practice, Practice ...

Vocabulary Practice Logs for 3rd Grade

This week I am introducing the 3rd graders to the vocabulary practice log sheet. If your 3rd grader loses his or her copy, you can download this week's copy here. I am asking the 3rd graders to study their vocabulary for 1 night this week for a minimum of 5 minutes. We will increase this in the coming weeks to a maximum of 3 nights per week.

I am introducing the log sheets to 3B on Monday, 3A and 3C on Tuesday, 3D on Wednesday.

Vocabulary Practice Logs for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades

This week I am again asking for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to practice their vocabulary 3 nights for a minimum of 5 minutes. Some sections of 5th grade (e.g., 5B) may need to make vocabulary flashcards from their list for one of those nights. The making of the flashcards will count for one of their nights of practicee. Making the flashcards will take a little longer than 5 minutes, but it shouldn't take much longer, and I only want it to count for one night. For those students who have already completed their flashcards, I am asking for 3 nights of vocabulary study.

On the log sheets, Friday is marked "Holiday", not because the students are not coming to school, but because it is a homework holiday from me. I did not want to assign so much homework that students would have to do it on Friday or over the weekend. Now, if you scholar wants to study Latin this weekend, I won't object, but I wanted to encourage them to plan their time this week in advance, knowing that a holiday weekend is coming up (and, to be honest, knowing that the holiday weekend wasn't going to be sufficient excuse for not studying three nights this week).

An Assignment for Parents

Parents, would you help out our scholars by asking them about their vocabulary practice logs? Many of our scholars are very self-motivated, but all of them could benefit from us checking on them and providing some accountability. Some of our scholars seem hesitant to ask you to sign their log sheets, knowing that you are very busy. Would you help them overcome that hesitation by proactively asking whether they have studied and if you can sign their log sheets?

Vocabulary to Practice This Week

3rd grade - LL 1.1 (list here; Quizlet here)

4th grade - LL 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 (1.1 list, 1.2 list, 1.3 list; 1.1 Quizlet, 1.2 Quizlet, 1.3 Quizlet)

5th grade - 5.1.1 (list here; Quizlet here)

6th grade - 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 (comprehensive review list; 5.3.1 Quizlet, 5.3.2 Quizlet, comprehensive review Quizlet)

Quarter 1, Week 3 (8/23-8/27)

Vocabulary Practice, Tutoring, Latin Names, and Updates to the Blog

Salvete, parentes scholaresque! This week's post is again manifold in purpose:

1. First, I want to explain to parents the vocabulary practice logs that 4th through 6th graders started bringing home last week (and 3rd graders will begin bringing home soon).
2. Tutoring is beginning this week. I will explain my strategy for at least the first several weeks.
3. The main update this week is that I will once again be rolling out the students' Latin names on Wednesday and Thursday (next week for 6C and 6D).
4. Finally, I will briefly describe some of the ways I am updating the blog this week.

Vocabulary Practice Log Sheets

Students are now beginning to bring home vocabulary practice log sheets. In the past, the expectation has always been that students would be regularly practicing their vocabulary, but until now I have not held them accountable with a grade. The main problem with this is that even the most diligent student needs some level of external motivation to stay consistent in their vocabulary practice once the homework starts piling up.

Therefore, this year I will be sending home weekly vocabulary practice log sheets which parents will need to sign for each night that a child studies a minimum of five minutes. I will not be requesting seven nights a week of practice. Rather, I will request a different number of nights each week depending on the grade and depending on the week. For example, I will typically be requesting three nights (meaning three signatures) for 3rd graders, three to four nights for 4th graders, three to five nights for 5th graders, and three to five nights for 6th graders.

The log sheet itself has instructions and a grading rubric. It also has links to the Quizlet sets that students are expected to study (until they have mastered it, and then they can move on). If you are unfamiliar with Quizlet, check out the Quizlet links page and my original article explaining what Quizlet is and how we will use it.

Note, however, that Quizlet is not needed. Students can study the appropriate flashcards or vocabulary lists, as well. I will be adding the vocabulary group names (e.g., 5.3.1 or LL 1.3) to future practice logs to make it easier for students who do not use Quizlet.

If your scholar loses his or her weekly practice log, if I have extra copies on me at school I will resupply them. However, you can download a blank practice log that applies to any grade, any week, here (this link will also be on the "Course Documents" page).

This is not intended to be a hardship but rather a minimally burdensome way to help students stay motivated to practice Latin and to reward them for doing so with a good grade. If you have any questions or concerns, please do email me at kerry.lee@greatheartsnorthernoaks.org.

Tutoring

Tutoring begins this week for sixth grade students who are new to GHNO and especially who are new to Latin. In future weeks, I will open it up to other sixth graders and then, later, to fifth grade students. Latin tutoring takes place Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-4:00 pm (during dismissal) in the downstairs art room (Ms. Hibler's room). You do not need to sign up.

Latin Names

The big news this week is that Wednesday and Thursday I will be rolling out our Latin names! I give every student a Latin name. Sometimes it is a Latin version of their name. Sometimes it is a Latin name that sounds the same. Sometimes it is a Latin translation of one potential meaning of their name. One way or another, it is meant to be fun and (you may not believe this) a way to help me memorize all my students' names.

Blog Updates

The Quizlet page is completely up to date. I am working on getting the Course Documents and Latin Songs pages up and running this week. The course calendar page will probably have to wait until next week. However, here are two important dates:

• 5th grade: 9/9-9/10 - Vocabulary Quiz over the 5.1.1 list [link coming soon to the Course Documents page]
• 6th grade: 9/15-9/16 - Vocbaulary Quiz over the 6.1.1 list [link coming soon to the Course Documents page]

Quarter 1, Week 2 (8/16-8/20)

Euge! Novus Annus Ludi Est!

Hurray! It's a new school year!

Welcome, parentes scholaresque, to the GHNO Latin blog for the 2021-2022 school year. Normally throughout the year my weekly posts will consist of brief updates about what we will be doing in class that week. In this first rather lengthy post I also want to introduce you to this blog and to the Latin course, generally.

1. Primum, I'll review the school supplies that are needed for Latin.
2. Secundum, I'll show you some of the useful features of this blog.
3. Tertium, I'll give you a preview of what's coming this week for your scholars.

1. Latin School Supplies for 2021-2022

Supplies

Every student in 3rd through 6th grades at Great Hearts Northern Oaks needs the following supplies for Latin:

• A three ring binder (1" max width; 3/4" will probably do just fine; no specific color) - this binder is both our spiral/composition book and our folder, because I want student notes and my handouts to be in the same place.
• Notebook paper (25-50 sheets, wide-rule) - to be inserted in the binder
• 3" x 5" index cards (2 packages of 100 for 3rd and 4th grades, 3 packages for 5th and 6th grades; lined or unlined) - these are for vocabulary flashcards, our primary study tool
• An index card holder (it should hold at least 200 cards; the narrowest vinyl holders tend to be insufficient; a sturdier hard plastic holder is better - here's an example)

There was an unfortunate omission on the 3rd grade supplies list that cut off the Latin and Music supplies. If you purchased the Edukit, you are good to go. If you purchased your own supplies, some or all of the supplies that I have just mentioned above are probably new to you. Your child will definitely need them.

Classic to Keep

Additionally, we now have a "Classic to Keep" for Latin: a Latin dictionary. Dictionaries are one of the most important tools of the trade of the linguist, and I want to teach our scholars how to use them to the fullest. This will be a book that your scholar uses for the next several years, not just this year.

Some of the supply lists misleadingly said "New Students Only". Every student needs a Latin dictionary if he or she did not have one previously. We will use these to look up new vocabulary as well as to play certain games.

For more about what dictionaries I recommend and why, see the Latin Dictionary page.

2. An Introduction to the Latin Course Blog

This blog consists of weekly posts with updates for parents and scholars and a set of static pages. The weekly posts will be published on Mondays and will appear on the home page. The static pages can be accessed via either the menu at the top of the page or in the list of pages in the sidebar on the left side of the page. Some of these pages include:

1. Quizlet Links - This page has links to everything related to Quizlet. Quizlet is essentially an online flashcard platform. I use it to provide a fun and adaptable way for the scholars to study their Latin vocabulary at home. In addition to Quizlet web interface, there is a Quizlet app for Android and IOS.
2. Course Documents - This page has links to vocabulary lists, quarterly syllabi, word searches and crossword puzzles, homework worksheets, and other various documents that I will give the scholars in class. I provide them on this page just in case a scholar misplaces the document or forgets to bring something important home.
3. Songs and Chants - This page has links to videos and handouts for the songs that we sing in class.

Other pages will appear in the top menu and in the sidebar whose purposes should be more or less self-evident by their titles.

3. Agenda For This Week

This week we are continuing in all four grades to introduce the procedures, policies, and systems of Latin class. We will learn/re-learn the "Who? Why? How?" chant. Additionally:

3rd Grade

We will make our first vocabulary flashcards and begin reading chapter 1 of Lingua Latina per se Illustrata.

4th Grade

We will begin reviewing chapter 1 of Lingua Latina. We read this during the first quarter of last year. We will review concepts such as grammatical gender, grammatical number, declension, and case.

5th Grade

We will begin reading chapter 1 of our textbook, Cambridge Latin Course: Unit 1, and we will learn how to use our Latin dictionaries to look up new vocabulary words. I will also distribute to the students syllabi for quarter 1.

6th Grade

We will begin reviewing chapters 1 and 2 of Cambridge Latin Course: Unit 1. I will distribute to the students syllabi for quarter 1. I will also distribute vocabulary lists that contain every word we learned in 5th grade along with a suggested study schedule for the first six weeks of quarter 1 and Quizlet links to all 5th grade Quizlet sets. The goal is for us to be ready to dive into chapter 7 of Cambridge Latin Course in about week 7 of quarter 1.

About Quizlet for GHNO Latin Scholars

Using Quizlet to Practice Latin Vocabulary

This year, I would like to utilize Quizlet sets to help the scholars learn their vocabulary in a fun way. Quizlet is an online educational platform that takes the idea of the flashcard and does lots of amazing and fun things with it. Not only does it emulate a basic vocab flashcard style of study, it also has a number of other different modes, such as dynamically adaptive Learn mode, and two different game modes - Match and Gravity. Moreover, I record audio for each Latin word to help your child and you with pronunciation.

Quizlet modes

Here are a couple of examples of what Quizlet looks like: