Salvete, Parentes et Discipuli!

Greetings, Parents and Students!

You have reached the schoolnotes site:

http://new.schoolnotes.com/eforaker/

This site contains the news for the fifth grade Latin course at Newark Charter School.

Please check my site weekly before each Wednesday to keep updated on this course.  I usually update my notes by every Sunday afternoon/evening. The schedule of due dates for the whole quarter is always updated at the beginning of each new marking period (see schedule below).

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News for Dies Mercurii, November XI, MMIX (Wednesday, November 18, 2009):

No class on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, due to Veteran's Day.

Class on November 18 will be made up of completing a learning activity that will familiarize students with 10 Latin and Greek words for animals and that will help them recognize their derivatives, as well as learn the meanings of the derivatives. (The Latin "animal" words are posted on flashcards after the Latin "number words" on this page.  Just click "flash cards" above.)

In connection to our Latin animal words, I told students to be on the lookout in science class for the introduction by Mrs. Thomas of the scientific animal classification system.  Binomial nomenclature, the naming of each animal species with two specific names, uses mostly Latin words.  So be on the lookout, Latin Detectives!

Names of the top Latin Detectives for each class for the first marking period are as follows:

Mirable dictu (It is wonderful to say), discipuli!

Class 5-1

Morgan White, magna cum laude

Ashley White, cum laude

Class 5-2

Hannah Cutler, magna cum laude

Gabe Roy, cum laude

Class 5-3

Daniel Gott, magna cum laude

Shaily Patel, magna cum laude

Zachary Lesher, cum laude

Class 5-4

Bergundy Spencer, magna cum laude

Michael Price, cum laude

Jazmin Reyes, cum laude

Class 5-5

Avonlea Horner, magna cum laude

Jude McGough, cum laude

Austin Page, cum laude

Class 5-6

Connor Sweeney, magna cum laude

Sophia Hannah, cum laude

Below is the schedule of important dates to be aware of, and prepare for, during second quarter:

Quiz I - December 2

Latin Detectives Club Homework Project - December 9

Quiz II - December 16

Final Test - January 13

End of second marking period - January 15

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Quarterly Latin Detectives Club Project (this description will be posted all year on this page)

May I remind parents and students that being a Latin Detective is a perpetual homework assignment for this year (and hopefully, it will become a life-long "habit"!)  Students should be on the lookout for "clues" that Latin is alive and well in today's society.  Latin phrases and English derivatives from Latin words are everywhere- - in books, magazines, movies, television shows, newspapers, cartoons, road signs, commercials, brand names, slogans, logos, mottos, technology, toys, music, games, the lingo of many professions, etc., etc. (Hey, that's a Latin phrase - - et cetera = "and the rest"!). As you know, students are required to find at least three "clues" each quarter, from different places, with the specific location and date of where the clues were seen or heard clearly entered (documentation).

However, deliberate searches for clues in informational, factual resources is not acceptable.  Examples of these are dictionaries, Latin word/phrase websites, books in Latin or Latin textbooks, class textbooks, and reference books/pamphlets/posters with any listing of Latin words or phrases.  IF a student "comes across" Latin words/phrases in these resources in his/her everyday study/research, THEN that discovery may be entered as a Latin clue and up to five samples of Latin words/phrases from it may be entered as separate clues on the "extra clues" sheet.

Treats and prizes are awarded for finding more than the three required clues.  Top Latin Detectives for each class are given certificates and pins at the end of each quarter, and at the end of every year we honor the top NCS Latin Detective of the year, for collecting the most clues in the whole fifth grade.

(These rules have been printed on the back of the Latin Detectives Club Homework Project Sheet and on the "Acceptable Places to Look for Latin Clues" sheet, which have been handed out to students.  Extra handouts are always available in the back of room 203, in the shelves above the cubbies.)

Credendo Vides!  Vale!  (In believing, you will see!  Be strong!)

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Make-up Work **************************

 Any student who is absent on the day of an assessment should see me on the Wednesday after he/she returns to school in order to make up the quiz/test.  I will always be available for make-up assessments or for extra help during lunch/recess or after school until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in room 203.

I have told students that extra copies of any handouts from Latin class will always be in the bins on top of the cubbies in the back of room 203.  A bin marked "Latin Work" is available for any early or late (up to a week after due date only) completed homework or makeup work to be turned in at any time between classes.  Students can come up during lunch/recess or during homeroom times with permission, as well.  This is for convenience to all, as I am only in the middle school building on Wednesdays.

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Please feel free to email me with any questions.

I am enjoying teaching all my Latin students!!