College in High School Latin
Course Description
This course serves as an introduction to Latin poetry, where the student will apply a mastery of the Latin language in order to read selections from Vergil’s epic poem, The Aeneid. Complex grammar and vocabulary will continue to be stressed, specifically as they relate to the poem. Through reading the poem in both Latin and English, as well as learning to analyze Vergil’s stately dactylic hexameter, the student will gain an authentic understanding and appreciation for ancient Roman culture.
Course Big Ideas
- Poetry Scansion in Dactylic Hexameter
- The themes of epic poetry and its effect on Ancient Roman civilization
- Translation of authentic Roman literature, The Aeneid by Vergil, from Latin into English
- Advanced Vocabulary Recognition and Retention
Course Essential Questions
- How does the meter of a poem influence the grammar and syntax of Latin?
- What significance does the Aeneid hold for the culture of Ancient Rome?
- How are the themes of fate, suffering, and the glory of Rome emphasized throughout the poem?
Course Competencies
- Application of advanced and complex Latin grammar and vocabulary for written translation of authentic Latin literature.
- Advanced vocabulary recognition and retention.
- Reading for comprehension and analysis of content.
- Cultural appreciation for epic poetry in Ancient Roman society.
Course Assignments
- Teacher-produced formative assessments
- University of Pittsburgh-provided summative assessments
Course Units
- Unit 1: Arrival at Carthage
- Unit 2: The Fall of Troy
- Unit 3: Aeneas and Dido
- Unit 4: A Visit to the Underworld
Unit 1: Arrival at Carthage
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
- Communication 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
- Cultures 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Cultures 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Connections 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
- Connections 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
- Comparisons 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
- Comparisons 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
Know
- The process of scanning a line of Latin poetry.
- The pattern of dactylic hexameter in a Latin poem.
- The definition of epic poetry, as it relates to classical culture.
- The major characters of the Aeneid.
- The overall themes and motifs of the Aeneid, including fate, suffering, and the glory of Rome.
- The techniques and patterns of reading Latin poetry.
Understanding/Key Learning
- The meter of Latin poetry can have a dramatic effect on word order.
- The patterns of Latin grammar and syntax provide a basic outline to translate complex authentic literature.
- The Aeneid is a symbol of the glory and pride of ancient Rome.
- The overlying theme of fate drives the poem and its protagonist to overcome all obstacles and suffering.
- The Aeneid shows that, according to ancient culture, divine intervention enables both success and failure in mortals.
Do
- Scan lines from the Aeneid in dactylic hexameter, identifying rhythm and analyzing patterns within the spelling of Latin words.
- Read and recite lines from the Aeneid in dactylic hexameter, noting both stressed and unstressed syllables.
- Describe the main characters of the Aeneid, noting key traits in behavior and personality.
- Identify major themes of the Aeneid and analyze their recurrence throughout the poem.
- Interpret the role of destiny as it relates to the protagonist, Aeneas, both consciously and unconsciously.
- Critique the role of divine intervention in the characters’ journeys.
- Assess the author’s portrayal of the glory of Rome within the poem.
- Summarize the books (chapters) of the poem, identifying major characters and events.
- Translate excerpts from the Aeneid into English.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
- What rules and patterns influence the scanned meter of a Latin poem?
- How do the introductory lines of the poem allow the narrator to summarize its entirety?
- Why does Juno hold such anger towards Aeneas, bringing him struggles on his journey?
- What adjectives or titles are used to describe Aeneas and Dido, separately? What basis do these descriptions serve?
- How is Carthage a (temporary) safe haven for Aeneas?
Materials/Resources
Vocabulary
Assessments
- Recitation of lines of poetry in dactylic hexameter
- Daily practice and participation in teacher-led translation of complex, authentic poetry
- Weekly vocabulary quizzes
- Collaborative translations of poem excerpts with peers
- Independent sight translations of poem excerpts (provided by university)
- Chapter study guides for reading comprehension
Unit 2: The Fall of Troy
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
- Communication 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
- Cultures 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Cultures 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Connections 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
- Connections 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
- Comparisons 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
- Comparisons 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
- The meter of Latin poetry can have a dramatic effect on word order.
- The patterns of Latin grammar and syntax provide a basic outline to translate complex authentic literature.
- The Aeneid is a symbol of the glory and pride of ancient Rome.
- The overlying theme of fate drives the poem and its protagonist to overcome all obstacles and suffering.
- The Aeneid shows that, according to ancient culture, divine intervention enables both success and failure in mortals.
Do
- Describe the main characters of the Aeneid, noting key traits in behavior and personality.
- Identify major themes of the Aeneid and analyze their recurrence throughout the poem.
- Interpret the role of destiny as it relates to the protagonist, Aeneas, both consciously and unconsciously.
- Critique the role of divine intervention in the characters’ journeys.
- Assess the author’s portrayal of the glory of Rome within the poem.
- Summarize the books (chapters) of the poem, identifying major characters and events.
- Translate excerpts from the Aeneid into English.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
Vocabulary
Assessments
- Recitation of lines of poetry in dactylic hexameter
- Daily practice and participation in teacher-led translation of complex, authentic poetry
- Weekly vocabulary quizzes
- Collaborative translations of poem excerpts with peers
- Independent sight translations of poem excerpts (provided by university)
- Chapter study guides for reading comprehension
Unit 3: Aeneas and Dido
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
- Communication 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
- Cultures 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Cultures 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Connections 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
- Connections 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
- Comparisons 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
- Comparisons 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
- The meter of Latin poetry can have a dramatic effect on word order.
- The patterns of Latin grammar and syntax provide a basic outline to translate complex authentic literature.
- The Aeneid is a symbol of the glory and pride of ancient Rome.
- The overlying theme of fate drives the poem and its protagonist to overcome all obstacles and suffering.
- The Aeneid shows that, according to ancient culture, divine intervention enables both success and failure in mortals.
Do
- Describe the main characters of the Aeneid, noting key traits in behavior and personality.
- Identify major themes of the Aeneid and analyze their recurrence throughout the poem.
- Interpret the role of destiny as it relates to the protagonist, Aeneas, both consciously and unconsciously.
- Critique the role of divine intervention in the characters’ journeys.
- Assess the author’s portrayal of the glory of Rome within the poem.
- Summarize the books (chapters) of the poem, identifying major characters and events.
- Translate excerpts from the Aeneid into English.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
- How does the theme of fate intertwine with the working relationship between Juno and Venus, as it relates to the relationship between Aeneas and Dido?
- In what ways have the tragic adjectives used to describe Dido throughout the poem foreshadowed her fate?
- What events have quantified the narrator’s incessant description of Aeneas as “devoted”?
Materials/Resources
Vocabulary
Assessments
- Recitation of lines of poetry in dactylic hexameter
- Daily practice and participation in teacher-led translation of complex, authentic poetry
- Weekly vocabulary quizzes
- Collaborative translations of poem excerpts with peers
- Independent sight translations of poem excerpts (provided by university)
- Chapter study guides for reading comprehension
Unit 4: A Visit to the Underworld
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
- Communication 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
- Cultures 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Cultures 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.
- Connections 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
- Connections 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
- Comparisons 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
- Comparisons 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
- The meter of Latin poetry can have a dramatic effect on word order.
- The patterns of Latin grammar and syntax provide a basic outline to translate complex authentic literature.
- The Aeneid is a symbol of the glory and pride of ancient Rome.
- The overlying theme of fate drives the poem and its protagonist to overcome all obstacles and suffering.
- The Aeneid shows that, according to ancient culture, divine intervention enables both success and failure in mortals.
Do
- Describe the main characters of the Aeneid, noting key traits in behavior and personality.
- Identify major themes of the Aeneid and analyze their recurrence throughout the poem.
- Interpret the role of destiny as it relates to the protagonist, Aeneas, both consciously and unconsciously.
- Critique the role of divine intervention in the characters’ journeys.
- Assess the author’s portrayal of the glory of Rome within the poem.
- Summarize the books (chapters) of the poem, identifying major characters and events.
- Translate excerpts from the Aeneid into English.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
Vocabulary
Assessments
- Recitation of lines of poetry in dactylic hexameter
- Daily practice and participation in teacher-led translation of complex, authentic poetry
- Weekly vocabulary quizzes
- Collaborative translations of poem excerpts with peers
- Independent sight translations of poem excerpts (provided by university)
- Chapter study guides for reading comprehension
- Poem summary via interactive map tracking the journey (via Google maps)