How Latin Supports the Common Core

1. How Latin Supports the Common Core Amy Mullay Latin Teacher North Hunterdon H.S. Annandale, NJ

2. To show how Latin inherently supports the Common Core/ELA standards • To give examples of activities that easily inculcate the skills assessed by PARCC • To brainstorm and share activities that support the standards Goals

3. PARCC was adopted by 18 states and District of Columbia • Common Core has been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia • Provides a common set of standards • Keys in on measuring student progress and growth PARCC/Common Core State Standards

4. If you are in one of the Common Core states, you may have the ELA standards as part of your evaluation or district goals. • If you are in one of the PARCC states, the students will be tested next year on these standards – • How can we assist the students in attaining these skills? How it affects us as Latin Teachers?

5. Latin programs that have an AP class already practice many of the ELA skills because they are necessary to complete the tasks of the AP exam. • Because of the nature of the language and its acquisition, many of the ELA standards are fundamental to Latin. • It can be as simple as having our students answer in complete sentences in Latin I or as complex as an analytical essay in AP. Why it isn’t as scary as it sounds?

6. The Common Core/ELA standards have separate standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. • The Common Core has suggested that students read more informational texts – 70% should be non-fiction/informational and 30% should be fictional – • The Aeneid is part of the fictional component but De Bello Gallicocould be considered informational to some degree The Reading, Writing and Language standards are already part of Latin programs. Reading, Writing, and Language

7. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. Translation at any level can assist with close reading Comprehension questions which require textual support can support conclusions drawn Reading – Standard 1

8. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize key supporting details and ideas In upper levels, any extended text can be used – Cicero’s In Catilinam This coincides with the AP Latin Curriculum Framework’s 7 themes - Reading – Standard 2

9. Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text • AP – Aeneas’ development as a leader • Interaction of Aeneas with Venus, Dido, etc • Interaction of Caesar with his generals • Ecce Romani – related stories Reading – Standard 3

10. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone Reading – Standard 4

11. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text • AP – Vergil’s purpose • Caesar’s point of view • Cicero’s diction Reading – Standard 6

12. Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take • AP!!!!!!!!!!!! Reading – Standard 9

13. Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently • Any text – any level can have comprehension questions which facilitate this Reading – Standard 10

14. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research • AP comparative essay Writing – Standards 1 and 9

15. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured even sequences • Story writing in Latin I, II or III Writing – Standard 3

16. Conventions of Standard English • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing Language – Standards 1 & 2

17. Knowledge of Language • Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. Language – Standard 3

18. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use • Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate. Language – Standard 4

19. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. Language – Standard 5

20. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking and listening; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression Language – Standard 6

21. Showing how Latin supports the Common Core ELA standards is an excellent way to justify keeping Latin programs in schools when it could possibly be cut Conclusion

22. http://www.parcconline.org/about-parcc • http://www.corestandards.org/ • Alignment of the National Standards for Learning Languages with the Common Core State Standards - http://www.actfl.org/news/reports/alignment-the-national-standards-learning-languages-the-common-core-state-standards • AP Latin Curriculum Frameworkhttp://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/AP_LatinCED_Effective_Fall_2012_lkd.pdf Resources