Gaudete, Gaudete! Latin Christmas and Holiday Songs!

Rejoice, all ye who seek Latin Christmas Carols! Laura Gibbs is continuing her Latin Holiday Songs Project this year at Gaudium Mundo! Visit each day for new songs and lyrics in Latin, Latin-English and Latin-Polish!

Need more holiday ideas for your Latin class? We've got 'em! Here are just a few from past years!

Christmas Teaching Ideas and Carols

St. Nicholas and the Legenda Aurea

O Abies! O Christmas Tree!

Yummy Chocolate Saturnalia Mice!!!

Coldplay Knows Latin! Really!

At about two minutes and forty seconds into their new video "Christmas Lights," you'll see Coldplay performing on a stage with the words "Credo Elvem Etiam Vivere" ("I believe Elvis is alive...") lit above. Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay is not only a talented vocalist and musician, but also a Classics scholar, having taken first class honours in Greek and Latin from University College London.

SCRIBO Latin Composition Competition

Introducing SCRIBO, an International Latin Composition Contest!

Goals: This contest is designed to spur interest and excitement in using Latin for creative writing, provide teachers with high quality materials in Latin that they can read in their classes, and honor and recognize top work in Latin creative writing!

Entries: Original short stories, comics, and poems are accepted. Illustrations are encouraged but not required. Entries have a maximum of 1,000 words and a maximum of 10 pages.

Eligibility and Levels: Students of Latin in any grade, from kindergarten through college, may participate. Entries will be sorted into the following levels, which are based on length of time studying Latin and content of the course: exploratory, lower, and upper.

Classroom Integration: SCRIBO is designed to be as flexible as possible for easy classroom integration. You could offer a contest, assignment, or project from which you could choose and submit the best entries. This could be open-ended, connected to a cultural unit, or connected to your text's storyline!

Benefits: Participation in SCRIBO has the following benefits

• certificates for all participants
• medals with ribbons for the top 20% of scorers
• press release plus letter to the principal recognizing medal winners
• free CD of the top entries, including multiple entries per level
• ability to purchase full-color bound books of the collected top entries (plus inclusion in a raffle to win a free copy of this book)
• knowledge that your school is supporting the mission of Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute to bring Latin and Classical Studies to our youngest scholars

Scoring: All entries will be judged by Latin teachers and professors who have training in Latin composition and/or oral Latin, using the following categories: grammatical and syntactical accuracy, choice of vocabulary, quality of work, audience appeal. Entries in the running to be in the top 20% will be scored by at least one additional judge. (Contact SCRIBO to apply to serve as a judge.)

Cost: $25 for 1 entry (or homeschool groups); $45 for 2-5 entries; $75 for 6-10 entries.

Registration & Submission: Register and pay by mail/online, including names, ages, and levels of student participants, no later than December 15, 2010. Receive an email from SCRIBO with identifying codes for all your participants, no later than January 1, 2011. Then the teacher submits all entries electronically in PDF format no later than January 15, 2011. Results, awards, and CD's should be in the mail by April 15, 2011!

Visit http://www.ascaniusyci.org/scribo for more information and to register!

Sponsored by Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

CAMWS Latin Translation Contest 2010-2011

The Classical Association of the Middle West and South Latin Translation Contest 2010-2011 is a competition open to advanced Latin students anywhere in the United States and Canada, who are either enrolled in secondary schools or attending homeschool. The contest is intended for students with at least three years of Latin, but superior second-year students are also eligible to participate.

Students must show an affiliation to CAMWS in one of three ways:

1. Their teachers must be individual members of CAMWS
2. OR their schools must be institutional members of CAMWS
3. OR their school libraries must subscribe to The Classical Journal.

Teachers should note that the examination must be administered by a school official other than the Latin teacher during the week of November 29-December 3, 2010. Deadline for registration is November 5, 2010.

The Translation Contest consists of a one-hour examination with an annual alternation of Prose and Poetry. This year's contest consists of a Latin Prose selection, as exemplified by Caesar, Cicero, et al. According to the contest rules, students should translate as literally as possible without violating English idiom and they should know the relevant vocabulary presented in Colby's Latin Word Lists. (A copy of the list is available to all contestants FREE upon request when registering!)

Writers of the ten most outstanding papers written will receive a $250 cash prize. An additional twenty outstanding contestants will receive a book prize relevant to classical antiquity. Meritorious examinations will receive letters of commendation.

There is a $2 non-refundable fee for each contestant entered.

To view copies of the most recent prose exams, you may visit CAMWS. You may also view a list of previous winners.

For more information, please contact: Robert White c/o Shaker Heights High School, 15811 Aldersyde Drive, Shaker Heights OH, 44120-2505, Tel. (216) 295-4200.

New Advanced Placement Latin Resource for Caesar

Christopher Francese, a professor in the Department of Classical Studies, Dickinson College, and a student helper have created a wiki-based commentary on the AP Caesar Latin selections. Based on older school editions, it also includes some digital enhancements (some vocabulary and mp3 audio, maps and tools).

Calling All Latin Poets!

VATES, the occasional journal of contemporary Latin poetry, is looking for contributions of original Latin verse. Electronically published and available free to anyone with an interest in new Latin poetry, VATES needs your submissions in order to continue its mission of promoting the reading and writing of new Latin verse.

Labor Vincit Omnia!

Check Out Laura Gibbs' compilation of Latin Labor Day proverbs!

Get out that papyrus and sharpen those quills!

It's time for the 201o Golden Sponge on a Stick Competition! If you are a student, fancy yourself the next Caroline Lawrence, Lindsey Davis or Stephen Saylor, and think that you can write a great story set in Ancient Rome, then get busy and get writing! Of course, you should probably read the rules first, so surf on over to the Roman Mysteries blog where you can get all the official details necessary to win that sought after sponge!!!

Give Yourself a Competitive Edge with Latin!

Aiming to attend an Ivy League school? Selective colleges and universities take notice of high school Latin scholars, according to Bloomberg News in Lingua Latina Introitum in. Vniversitatem Harvard Multo Faciliorem Reddit ("The Latin language renders an easier entrance into Harvard University"). Though study of the Classics is no guarantee of admission, it can give some candidates an edge.

Reaping a "Total Latin Harvest"

Lou Bolchazy on reconciling viewpoints regarding the perceived conflicts between literature/culture/history; grammar-oriented pedagogy method; oral/conversational method; and reading method in our Latin curricula:

"I believe that all four themes are desiderata in our teaching method. There is no conflict among them. Living in an increasingly global and multi-cultural community, we must know each other's history of ideas, beliefs, and culture to have the respect, empathy, and sympathy for other people. By reading an original passage, we learn all these things to a degree, and that is the humanistic value. When we come across an unknown word or an unknown syntactical-grammatical point in a reading, that is the time to teach the grammar and vocabulary, and to reinforce the vocabulary and grammar by means of transpositional exercises. Teachers and students can indulge in oral Latin drills and exercises to understand the word and its connotation, and using the materials in the original reading itself. (So far we have not deviated from good pedagogy-because we are learning grammar and culture, and reading passages, all in the original language.) The question is: how best to learn this grammar and vocabulary? By talking about it and doing drills in it, which are not connected to the original reading? That I do not recommend. Oral exercises based on the original reading allow students to review vocabulary and to practice the grammar they just learned. You can call it fusion or amalgamation of all these four desiderata, to be learned almost simultaneously.

Let's not forget to get beyond the borders of antique Latin language, culture, or conversational ability; we should move towards including post-classical Latin as well. Thus we will expand our horizons, increase our literacy, enjoy a total Latin harvest, be exposed to more forms of Latin communication, and project higher perceived value of Latin curriculum.)"

Free Latin Fable Books for Everyone!

Euge! Laura Gibbs has just released her new book Mille Fabulae et Una: 1001 Aesop's Fables in Latin. You can get your very own copy in Adobe Acrobat PDF format right now -- for free -- by visiting Millefabulae, where you will also find online indexes and other useful ancillary materials. The typography of the book is clean and simple, and looks great on the iPhone, iPad and Android. If you have a smartphone or handheld device that is capable of reading PDF files, download a copy, go grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and start reading!

For those of you who prefer reading a book the old-fashioned way, and love the idea of a brimming bookshelf, but don't feel like splurging on printer ink (the book is 440 pages long!) Mille Fabulae et Una is available in paperback on Lulu.com for only $19.95. However, Laura encourages you to download as many gratis copies as you like and to let your friends know where to get their own free copy too!

Read Laura's Overview on her blog for more information.

New Issue of "Teaching Classical Languages" Now Online

The Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) has just announced that the new issue of their online journal Teaching Classical Languages has been published for immediate download at their official website.

Articles in this issue include:

• "From Literal to Literary: A Translation Project for Latin Poetry Classes" by Marcia Lindgren, Life Blumberg, and Joshua Langseth
• "Building Ties Between College and High School Latin Programs" by Ariana Traill, Francesca Tataranni, Laurie Jolicoeur, and Krisanna Zusman
• and a Special Section, "Perspectives on the new Standards for Latin Teacher PreparationPerspectives" by Ronnie Ancona, Erik Collins, Cathy Daugherty, Cory Holec, Ken Kitchell, Robert Patrick, and Lee Pearcy.

The editors of TCL are currently welcoming articles "offering innovative practice and methods, new theoretical approaches, or reporting on empirical research in teaching and learning Latin and Greek."

Back After a Hiatus

It's August and time to get back to blogging!

Professor Terence Tunberg has just written to announce a wonderful new documentary, presented entirely in Latin and available on Youtube, which chronicles the highlights of Conventiculum 2010. This is must-see TV for everyone who loves Latin!

Standards for Latin Teacher Preparation

The American Classical League has just announced that the newly published ACL-APA Standards for Latin Teacher Preparation document is now available for free on its website.

Professor Ronnie Ancona, Vice President of the American Philological Association comments, "This is a valuable document for anyone teaching, planning to teach, or training those to teach Latin. It was written by a joint task force from ACL and APA. There will be a Plenary Session on the Standards at the ACL Institute this summer. We hope to also have a session on them at APA in San Antonio."

The Standards describes "the knowledge, skills, and understanding" of the beginning Latin teacher (a professional with 2 years or less experience in the classroom) in the areas of Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge and Skill, as well as Professional Development. The document is 22 pages, including a table of contents, and is quite readable.

The American Classical League has other reports available on its website, including the Standards for Classical Language Learning (referenced in the Standards for Latin Teacher Preparation) and the Report for State Certification Requirements for Teachers of Latin from the Joint Committee on Classics in American Education, a committee of the American Philological Association and the American Classical Association.

Bestiaria Latina: Zoo

Take a virtual field trip to a Latin language zoo! Laura Gibbs has done it again, creating an online bestiary of animals. Each entry in this menagerie includes the Latin name of the animal, alternative terminology, a photo, plus links to Latin language stories and proverbs! You can even add a Latin Zoo widget to your blog or website!

London Mayor Wants More Latin in State Schools in England

A couple more articles about Boris Johnson's call for a resurgence of Latin in English state schools:

"Call for Latin Lessons At Schools"

BBC News, March 17, 2010

"Teach More Latin in Schools, says London Mayor"

Yahoo News/Reuters, March 17, 2010

"More State Schools Should Teach Latin"

Daily Telegraph, March 17, 2010

"Boris Johnson Lobbies Tories to Add Latin to State-School Curriculum"

The Guardian (UK), March 17, 2010

"Boris Johnson Hits Out at 'Absurd Decline of Latin in State Schools'"

London Evening Standard, March 17, 2010

Mr. Johnson studied Latin and the Classics as a student and is a graduate of Eton College secondary school and Balliol College, University of Oxford. A product of private education, he is a critic of Latin being reserved for tuition-based schools only.

Latin in the News

It's March and so it's not surprising to see a lot of stories about the Latin language in the news. We have just commemorated the Ides of March (which took place on March 15) and we're gearing up for Rome's birthday on April 21st.

Here's a round-up of recent news stories:

"PLC students battle against Roman empire"

Australian students compete in European CICERO Latin Competition
North Shore Times

March 16, 2010

"BEWARE THE IDES: THS Latin Club recreates Caesar’s funeral march"

Taunton Daily Gazette
March 15, 2010

"Latin Keeps Class Enrapt: Boonville teacher mixes culture, history with language study"

Latin teacher Pamela Koleszar takes proactive measures to keep her Latin program active.

Evansville Courier and Press

March 16, 2010

"Student Spotlight"

Interview with the Colorado Intermediate Level Latin Speaker Film Contest Winner

The Daily Camera
March 13, 2010

Hadrian's Wall Illuminated in a "Line of Light"

Over 1000 volunteers lit beacons along Hadrian's Wall to celebrate British Tourism Week. You can see a video and read the story at the BBC News website: "Volunteers Illuminate Hadrian's Wall 'Line of Light."

The Mayor of London Defends the Teaching of Latin in England

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, wants to "weep with rage" over the disparagement of Latin and Classics education by Edward Michael Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in Britain.

Pompeiiana, a Rich Resource for All Latin Teachers and Students

Andrew Reinhard, Director of eLearning for Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, recently announced the completion of the Pompeiiana Newsletter blog project. The Pompeiiana Newsletter was a publication for Latin students which enjoyed a nearly twenty year press run, with 229 issues released betwee the years 1974 to 2003. Material published in the newsletter included both Latin and English language comics, stories, games, and articles. As a gift to the Classics community, Bolchazy-Carducci has digitized all the extant issues of Pompeiiana Newsletter and made them available for all to enjoy in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf) at the Pompeiiana Newsletter Blog.

Classics and Careers

Three timely articles for aspiring students of the Classicson the Psychology Today Career Transitions blog!

"Classics Majors Find their Future in the Past"

"Branding and Marketing the Classics Major"

"Careers in Education for Classics Majors"

National Latin Teacher Recruitment Week

It's that time of year again! National Latin Teacher Recruitment Week is here! NLTRW runs from March 1-5. The National Committee for Latin and Greek has created an eight-minute video that you may wish to share with your students. You can click on the link below to watch it via YouTube or you can download it from the Promote Latin website to show offline.

In Memoriam, Hans Oerberg 1920-2010

Sad news from Focus Publishing:

Dear all friends and customers of Hans Orberg

I am very sad to announce the death of my beloved father, Hans Henning Orberg. He passed away peacefully, without pains and surrounded by his children on the 17th of February.

Although very weak and disabled in his last month, he was very happy that he managed to finish his "Ars Amatoria" and see it published. He also leaves this world with peace in his mind, confident that his children will carry on his publishing firm, Domus Latina.

The funeral will take place Wednesday the 24th of February at 2 pm in the church of Grenaa: Grenaa Kirke, Torvet 12, 8500 Grenaa, Denmark.

We would be grateful if you would pass on the sad news to friends and customers that you know of and who are not in the mailing list above.

Yours sincerely

Anders Orberg

Latin Vs. English, the Liveliness Factor

By popular demand, Claude Pavur has posted his chart De Linguae Latinae Vivacitate, demonstrating the continuing relevance and vitality of the ancient language, on the St. Louis Latin Teaching Materials website.

Also noted, his version (singable!) of the Star Spangled Banner in Latin!

Latinum Has a New Home

Evan Millner has set up a new website for his Latinum project, which was previously somewhat difficult to navigate. The new website organizes the various parts of the course by difficulty level, making it easier for learners to follow the sequence of the lessons.

Prepping for the National Latin Exam

Karen Moore at the Latin Alive! blog just posted a link to a new online prep test program to help students prepare for the Level 1 National Latin Exam.

Carpe Diem! Seize the Day!

Thanks to Rose Williams for pointing out the wonderful selection of English language poetry centered around the theme Carpe Diem or "Seize the Day!" at Poets.org.

Happy New Year!

Novum annum laetum omnibus exoptō!