Latin Homework for the week of 8/31
September 1, 2009 | Print This Homework Post
Dear class,
I look forward to once again having the same bright group of students I had last year. These are the studying techniques I recommend for being successful in this class:
-If there is an in-class declension quiz, practice writing it out from memory at home. When else do you have a quiz in which you are positive you know EXACTLY what will be on the test, right? So it’s that simple; if you are to have a quiz on the first declension, do your best to memorize it, then put away your books and write out the declension from memory. Then, compare it to the grammar book, see what you missed, try to figure out why, then strive to fix the problem. Do it again. Drill this until you are proficient in the given topic of study. Rote memorization is unavoidable in Latin, particularly at this early stage. Once you get this groundwork firmly rooted, you can build from there, and it will become easier to memorize. This was the technique I used for Elementary Greek, and it worked beautifully.
-When there are English to Latin sentences due. Write it out as best you can, take a break, and check it over again, looking for ONE particular potential trouble spot. Do the verbs agree with their subjects in number? Are plural nouns declined in a plural fashion? Are objects in the accusative case? Are subjects in the nominative case? You’ll be surprised how many times you will be able to check it over and still find mistakes. Diligence early on in this respect will set you up for success in Latin.
Sincerely,
Eric Lewis
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