The basic unit of comprehension for any spoken or written language is a word.Vocabulary is essential for communication. Therefore, the core of all the languages classes will be an intense study of vocabulary in the target language (French/Latin). Homework , especially in Latin classes, will remain the same from September through June. Each evening a set number of vocabulary words will be assigned for writing and for memorization. Each week there will be a vocabulary test on the week's work. This procedure is written in stone! Therefore, absence is never an excuse from the weekly vocabulary tests. To help the students become more organized, each student taking a foreign language is required to have a portfolio with several pockets into which he will keep his Latin/Frencbook, marble notebook, looseleaf paper, pens, class handouts . My classes are a partnership between the student, the teacher and the parents. Each of us has signed this partnership paper and is aware of our individual responsibilities. The success of the students depends on us all doing our part.