Homework for Week I: Capitulum Primum, Lectio I

Well, the class is officially underway, and we are all learning Latin! I hope those who weren't able to meet the first class will be able to join us next week; if you like, you should give me a call or collar me at church for a little orientation on what we've already done. Here I will review some aspects of the Lingua Latina method that you should keep in mind, and outline a study program for the coming week that will help you get the homework done and reinforce what we did in class, so that you'll be ready to keep going next week.

About the Method

Remember that the textbook (Familia Romana) is designed to help you learn Latin without recourse to English. As you go through each reading, try to notice new words and grammatical constructions as you encounter them, and to figure out what they mean from the context in which they occur, rather than mentally translating into English. Take advantage of the drawings and marginal notes to help you understand the readings. Also, always read the lesson aloud and try to cultivate good pronunciation (if you have the CD, listen to the narrator's voice and imitate his pronunciation). Practice the exercitia and pensa orally before writing them out, and when you do write them, always write out complete sentences. Remember: qui scribit bis leget (He who writes reads twice).

Homework -- a Day by Day Plan

Homework preparation for class on February 27/28: The following will allow you to complete all the homework for this week without trying to do it all at one time (hurriedly, the night before class!). You can use it as a model to spread out your Latin study each week, so that you can gradually and consistently add to and internalize your knowledge of Latin. Here's another little Latin maxim you might like to learn: Repetitio mater memoriae est (Repetition is the mother of memory). This doesn't simply mean mindless rote memorization, but going back over what you have already "learned," to make sure that you actually have learned it, before going ahead to something new. This week try spreading out your study according to this plan:

• Day 1 --  Re-read (aloud!) the portion of Lectio I (Cap. 1, lines 1-21) that we went over in class. Remind yourself of the points of grammar and pronunciation that were emphasized in class. Then go ahead and read the rest of the Lectio, paragraph by paragraph, taking note of any new constructions or vocabulary that may be introduced. Be particularly careful to look at any of the marginalia (marginal notations) and make sure you understand what they are trying to point out. Practice asking yourself, and answering (in complete Latin sentences) questions about what you have just read, such as: Ubi est Gallia? Gallia est in Europa; Suntne Aegyptus et Arabia in Europa? Aegyptus et Arabia in Europa non sunt; etc.
• Day 2 -- Briefly review Lectio I in Familia Romana to refresh your memory, and practice answering the Exercitia orally, until you can do so with some fluency and confidence. At this point, you need not write out your answers, but do try to answer with complete sentences.
• Day 3 -- In Latine Disco, read the Introduction (p. 3-8). You might try applying the rules of orthography (spelling) and pronunciation to the reading we did in class, to see how the text illustrates the rules of spelling, pronunciation, and syllable stress. Then read the portion of the Instructions for chapter 1 that correspond to Lectio I (p. 9 and 10, through the second full paragraph). Hopefully, this will clear up any lingering doubts you may have about the meaning of what you have read in the Lectio.
• Day 4 -- Return to the three sets of Exercitia for Lectio I in the first chapter. Run through them once or twice orally, then write them out on a separate sheet of paper, being sure to write out complete sentences (do this from memory, not by constant reference to the textbook). Try to remember to put long marks over the appropriate vowels. When you have a clean copy that you are satisfied with, bring it to the next class.