How Latin Supports the Common Core

Amy MullayLatin Teacher

North Hunterdon H.S.Annandale, NJ

Goals

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

PARCC/Common Core State Standards

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 standardsKeys in on measuring student progress and

growth

How it affects us as Latin Teachers?

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?

Why it isn’t as scary as it sounds?

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.

Reading, Writing, and Language

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 Gallico could be considered informational to some degree

The Reading, Writing and Language standards are already part of Latin programs.

Reading – Standard 1

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 readingComprehension questions which require textual support can support conclusions drawn

Reading – Standard 2

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 3

Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text

AP – Aeneas’ development as a leaderInteraction of Aeneas with Venus, Dido,

etcInteraction of Caesar with his generalsEcce Romani – related stories

Reading – Standard 4

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 6

Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text

AP – Vergil’s purposeCaesar’s point of viewCicero’s diction

Reading – Standard 9

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 10

Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently

Any text – any level can have comprehension questions which facilitate this

Writing – Standards 1 and 9

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 – Standard 3

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

Language – Standards 1 & 2

Conventions of Standard EnglishDemonstrate 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 – Standard 3

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 4

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 5

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Language – Standard 6

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

Conclusion

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

Resources

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 Framework http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/AP_LatinCED_Effective_Fall_2012_lkd.pdf