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In 7th and 8th grade classes we will be using the Cambridge Latin Series. These books contain an exciting story in Latin about a real Roman family living in Pompeii right before the eruption of Mnt. Vesuvius. I teach using the "active method." Students are asked to join me in speaking primarily Latin in the classroom and classes earn rewards for how long we can all stay in Latin. We will act out the stories, retell the stories in various ways and even change and rewrite them. The goal is to pick up (acquire) the language used in them so we can understand it and use it fluently without thinking. Unlike in modern languages, however, students will not be graded on their speaking or listening ability, only on reading and writing.
We will also explore and analyze the culture of the Romans. We will look at some of the ruins and artifacts that appear in the stories we read, first in Rome in 6th grade, Pompeii in 7th, then in Roman Britain and finally in Roman Egypt in 8th. We will illustrate stories, learn to throw a Roman javelin or pilum, and act out skits. You can click on the map on the front page of this site and explore some of the major places in our stories early if you want.
Some of our projects include the a chariot race in the snow, gladiatorial games (pictured), a roman election, a quest through Hades, a choose-your-own-adventure-style game that allows you to see if you live or die in the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius, and a Roman culture project where you have a chance to cook some Roman food or recreate another aspect of Roman culture.
Recently, the Boston Globe came and covered our gladiator games, the 7th grade capstone project. The article and images are here and the video where you get to see me rocking a toga and my students battling to the death is here. The article and video above it also do a good job describing my teaching methodology and style.
Some of the eight graders' writing and discussion of what kind of magic power they would want in a magic ring also appeared in an episode of the Latin language podcast Quomodo Dicitur! You can find that episode here and discussion of their responses starts at around 11:12, but be forewarned, It is actually in spoken Latin.
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