Magistra Thomas thomase@cps-k12.org 363-8400 Salvete discipuli parentesque!!! Welcome students, parents, guardians! Welcome to Walnut Hills and to Latin 1! I have assembled a packet of information to help you understand what I expect from your student and how you can help your student learn. Please read and discuss this material with your student. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a note, an e-mail at thomase@cps-k12.org or leave me a message at school (363-8400). I will try to respond within one school day. I look forward to a great year with all my students. We will need to work together to ensure this. Latin involves serious work for most students. Good work habits and regular class attendance are of great importance. Your child will have homework every evening (posted in the classroom and on my website) in addition to the necessary daily practice and review of the vocabulary and forms. I will keep you advised as to your student’s progress through Parent Connect, notes, calls, and conferences when necessary. I have high expectations of all of my students. If your student scores below a 70 on any paper, quiz, or test, I require that you sign the paper to be returned to me the following day. This lets me know that you are aware of what is happening too. Latin requires two elements above all from each student: patience and enthusiasm. Students who come prepared to class on a consistent basis will be most likely to succeed. Please encourage your child to ask questions in class when they feel lost or confused. There are no “foolish” questions. If they do not ask, I cannot help—for I do not read minds. Be assured, everyone gets lost at some point in working on Latin. I am also available to help your student every Thursday after school until 3:30. Students should come prepared with specific questions or concerns so that we can focus on improving the areas giving them trouble. So that I know you have received and reviewed all the materials that I am sending home, please sign on the appropriate line below and have your student return the bottom signature portion tomorrow. I am confident that together we will have a productive and successful year. Magistra Thomas
Student’s name:___________________________________________________ I have seen and discussed the course requirement and classroom expectation handouts with my student. Parent/Guardian signature:____________________________ Date:____________ The best way to contact me is __________________________________________
Expectations
Be ON TIME, follow the First 5 Minutes guidelines below. Be PREPARED to work, and with the necessary materials EVERYDAY. Be DILIGENT in your work. If absent, call a classmate to get the assignment and prepare for the next day. Be ATTENTIVE during every class. Students who pay attention do the best. Be NEAT. If I can not read it, I can not grade it. Be sure to LABEL papers correctly with your name, the date, bell, and title or page #. Be a WILLING CONTRIBUTOR to the class- I want to know what you can do. Be RESPECTFUL at all times of each and every person in class. Do not throw items in class or talk out of turn. The phrase “Shut Up!” is not allowed in my classroom. Be POLITE. Do not remove items from the desk or classroom without my permission. Be SEATED until dismissed by the teacher. ALL C.P.S. DISTRICT RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY. The First 5 Minutes: 1. Get rid of gum, candy, food, or drinks; ONLY water is acceptable in class. 2. Go to your place 3. Copy the day’s homework and daily thought off the board 4. If needed, sharpen pencils, have late slips, permission slips signed 5. Put everything unrelated to Latin in your backpack under your desk 6. The following items should be on your desk: Latin book Latin notebook Paper and pens/pencils (you should always have 2 or more writing tools) The day’s homework assignment Failure to follow these procedures will result in the following consequences: 1st offense: verbal warning 2nd offense: parent notification 3rd offense: detention Detentions are given at the discretion of the teacher for an infraction of rules or policy. No same day detentions are given.
LET”S HAVE A WONDERFUL SCHOOL YEAR!
Course Requirements
Supplies: (to be brought to class daily) 1 3-ring 1” or larger notebook (binder) for class work, homework etc. Loose-leaf paper 4 divider sections for the notebook 1 Latin for Americans textbook, covered 1 workbook 1 plan or assignment book Blue or black pen for work Green pen for correcting NO RED INK! 3x5 index cards for flashcards Rubber bands or clips to hold the flashcards together Homework: There will be Latin Homework everyday! Flashcards are required for every new vocabulary presented. They will be collected and graded for all lessons. Use the flashcards to learn the vocabulary! Take the time to learn the vocabulary immediately, and continuously review this material. There will be a vocabulary quiz for every lesson. Vocabulary is cumulative and will appear in subsequent chapters and tests. Vocabulary is the backbone of any language; without it the student cannot succeed! Daily written and memory work is expected to be carefully done. Exercises are never “busy work”. Homework will NOT be accepted late. If you are absent on the due d ate, the homework is due upon your return or within the same number of days absent. If possible, when absent, it would be best to try to keep up with the homework. Below is a space to get ¾ classmates telephone numbers to consult when you are absent: _________________, #________________; _________________, #__________________ _________________, #________________; _________________, #__________________ Absences: For each day absent, you have one day to make up a missed quiz. All tests are announced at least two days, usually more, in advance. If your first day of absence was on a day of a test or quiz, you must take it upon your return. If you miss the day before the test, you are still expected to take the test with the class. Grading: Quarterly grades are made up of: Homework and notebook=25%; Quizes=25%; Tests and Projects=50%. Consideration is given to those who put forth effort and participate. Grading scale: A= 90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=59 and below. Any grade below a 70 is considered unacceptable by me. Help Night: Thursday after school in 318 until 3:30.
Name __________________________________________________ Class period _____________________________________________ Nickname or Preferred name ________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ E-mail address ___________________________________________ Phone # Daytime____________________ Emergency# __________________ Evening ____________________ Previous School __________________________________________ Favorite Activity or Hobby ________________________________________________ How do you think Latin will help you? _______________________________________ Do you speak a language other than English at home? _____________ If so, what one? ___________________
Class Schedule Course Teacher Room
Bell 1 _______________________________________________________________ Bell 2 _______________________________________________________________ Bell 3 _______________________________________________________________ Bell 4 _______________________________________________________________ Bell 5 _______________________________________________________________ Bell 6 _______________________________________________________________ Bell 7 _______________________________________________________________
Dates of Parent Contact
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Reason for Contact