Charleston Latin

Charleston Latin is a revision of a highly respected elementary level Latin language curriculum devised and used successfully by Los Angeles Unified School District during the 1970s. Students who received instruction through the Los Angeles Language Transfer Program showed rapid increases in reading, vocabulary and comprehension. Regular classroom teachers and homeschooling parents are able to incorporate materials from the Charleston Latin program after a 2 day in-service, even if they have no prior Latin language experience. Visit Charleston Latin to find out more about upcoming workshops (the next is scheduled in mid-July 2008) and see sample materials. Charleston Latin is based at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC.

Latin Day in Seattle

About 5 or 6 times every year, Boreoccidentales, the Latin Speaking Club of Seattle, gathers to converse in Latin. May 17th will be the next Latin Day in Seattle. Latin speakers will gather for coffee at Zoka's, visit the Zoo and then enjoy dinner at Kisaku's. Contact Stephen A. Berard at sberard [at] wvc.edu to RSVP. The full announcement in Latin follows:

Septimo decimo die mensis Mai habebitur Commoratio Seattlensis proxima! Ad venturam Commorationem Seattlensem incipiendam conveniemus undecima hora in thermopolium cui nomen est Zoka et quod situm est prope Lacum Viridem hortosque zoologicos in illa urbis regione quae vulgo nominatur Tangletown ("Intortium") apud 2200 N. 56 St, sc. ad quadrivium viarum 55 et 56 et Keystone Pl.

(http://www.lostinseattle.com/LIS/coffeehouse/zoka2200n56thst.html)

Forsan facillimum erit hunc locum adire si e Via Publica Quinta in Stratam 50 exieris atque in occidentem versus procedes usque ad ipsam Keystone Place, in quam dextrorsum flectendum erit. Haec viacula in boreoccidentalem partem tendit usque ad quadrivium nostrum. A dextra parte Viam 56 et Zoka videbis, a sinistra Viam 55. (Talia nempe ob paradoxa Tangletown/Intortium nomen inditum est.) Huc congregabimur non tantum ob caffeam sapidam sed etiam quod in eosdem quadrivio sita est caupona "Kisaku" in qua, post hortos zoologicos inspectos, cenam nostram valedictoriam celebrabimus. Scilicet omnibus iam notus erit cenae locus.

Cum praeter "Kisaku" nulla mihi nota sit alia bona popina Intortiensis, auctor ero ut, post caffeam sumptam, Hortos Zoologicos Silvestres (Woodland Park Zoo) primum intremus atque in huius circo merendario prandium capiamus antequam bestias inspiciamus. Hortos ingrediemur per introitum meridianum prope trivium Viae Freemont ("Liberimontanae") at Occidentalis Stratae 50. Sodalitas Omnium Gentium Aqualbensibus tesseras emet, tribus aliis discipulis poterit solvere introitum Commorationum fiscus.

Post hortos zoologicos inspectos cenam nostram valedictoriam, id quodiam indicavi, in caupona nomine Kisaku habebimus (2101 N. 55th St.) Propono ut cenam incipiamus quinta hora semis. Quia igitur mensa reservanda erit, quaeso ut ante diem 14 quisque nobiscum cenaturus nomen mihi det ut mensam idoneam reservandam curem.

Beginning Latin Poetry Reader

The recent cancellation of the Advanced Placement Latin Literature course and examination came as a great shock to many Latin teachers. Citing declining enrollment and a lack of funding, the Latin literature exam will be eliminated --along with three other undersubscribed courses -- after the 2008-09 academic year. The College Board will continue to offer the Advanced Placement Vergil test.

There are some very real worries that the elimination of the Latin Literature exam will have a negative impact on enrollment in Latin in the United States. A large number of high school students who persevere past the second year of a foreign language do so with the intention of taking the A.P. exams and obtaining college credit. Many schools offer the Latin Literature and Vergil courses in alternating years so that Latin students can have the opportunity to take two tests. Therefore, a Latin student who completes four years of Latin at a school that offers both the Latin Literature and Vergil exam has the opportunity to enter college with credit for two semesters of a foreign language. With the skyrocketing cost of higher education and the competitive admissions process, who can blame students for wanting to get a head start? Many Latin teachers are concerned that students will choose another language simply for the reason that they will have the opportunity to take 2 exams.

The concern remains that students taking the AP Vergil course may never have an opportunity to experience reading a wide range of authentic literature by other Roman authors and poets. Of course, there are also teachers who will be happy to have the chance to write their own courses, freed from the constraints of the AP Latin Literature syllabus. It may be necessary for teachers to ensure that their students get the chance to read more genuine literature in the first two years of high school Latin. Of course, first and second year students will need some ancillary support in order to successfully tackle authentic readings.

I recently came across Gavin Betts' and Daniel Franklin's Beginning Latin Poetry Reader at a local bookstore. Designed for students who have learned to conjugate verbs, decline nouns and adjectives and who possess a working vocabulary of about 750 words, the poems in this volume have ample footnotes providing grammatical and contextual notes. In the table of contents, each poem is assigned a level of difficulty so that the reader may choose to progress gradually. Easy poems receive one star; somewhat difficult poems, two; rather difficult pieces get three. A brief, informative introduction, timelines and maps help students put the poems into their historical perspective. Authors represented in this anthology include, but are not limited to, Plautus and Terence, Lucretius, Catullus, Vergil, Horace, Propertius, Ovid, as well as a range of writers from the Silver Age. (A word of warning: one selection from Propertius, Elegies 4.8.27-36,47-66, might be of concern for high school teachers, so you may want to examine the book before selecting it for a course.) The appendix includes a full glossary of all words included in the poems as well as a very well written and understandable grammar and syntax. There is also a section explaining the scansion of Latin verse along with examples of the different types of meter that occur within the book. Some teachers may be concerned that literal translations of all selections are included in the appendix. Students can and often will seek such translations out on the Internet anyway, so teachers shouldn't be too concerned. The inclusion of the translations will certainly appeal to the independent learner who would like to have them available to check comprehension.

Throughout the text there are occasional sidebars with interesting observations or reflections relating to the poem or author. I found these to be clever and conversational, the sort of thing a college professor might mention in passing while the class reads and discusses a selection. The poems themselves cover a wide range of topics, which are sure to lead to some interesting classroom discussions.

So, if you are interested in incorporating more authentic Latin selections into your classes, I recommend that you consider Gavin Betts' and Daniel Franklin's Beginning Latin Poetry Reader. It would be a shame if students never had the opportunity to read more than just a very few Latin authors.

Need Some Mythology Lesson Plans?

Well, here you go! Twelve lesson plans based on Roman and Greek Mythology, brought to you by the Yale-New Haven Teacher's Insitute!

Summer Webinars for Latin Teachers

Many teachers work on their professional continuing education requirements and recertification during the summer months. With gasoline prices at an all-time high, getting to colleges and universities to take classes and attend seminars will cost a lot more than the per credit hour fee this year. If you're concerned about the cost of transportation this year, you may want to consider participating in an on-line "Webinar." Webinar attendees are able to dialogue with the lecturer and other participants in real-time, view presentations and examine the speaker's teaching materials up close for themselves.

This summer, Bolchazy-Carducci will be offering a number of accredited on-line webinars, led by experienced, respected high school teachers and university professors. (N.B. As always, check with your school district or state department of education before registering to make sure that you can receive professional conference credit).

The upcoming schedule includes presentations by Rose Williams, Ronnie Ancona, Jayni Reinhard, Bonnie Cato, Anna Andresian, LeaAnn Osburn, Marianthe Colakis, and Caroline Perkins. More webinars will be made available in the fall by LeaAnn Osburn, Helena Dettmer and Robert Sonkowsky.

Visit Bolchazy-Carducci to find out more about the summer webinars, including technical details and the subscription costs. While it is difficult to replace the experience of attending an American Classical League Institute and Workshop in person, this should provide a reasonably priced alternative for teachers who would really like to pursue professional enrichment but have other time commitments, especially young teachers who have small children or older teachers who are taking care of their own parents.

In a Classical State of Mind

AMICI is the Classical Association of Iowa's outreach website. Latin appears to be alive and well in the Midwest. AMICI has started a Latin teacher mentoring program and already has six mentors working with Latin teachers. This promises to be a great networking opportunity for classicists and will undoubtedly help support local programs. Be sure to check out the article "Helping Latin Programs Survive and Thrive." Even if Latin isn't endangered at your school, the tips there will help you build an even stronger program. Also, take a look at the archives of their very professional-looking newsletter. Of course, there's a placement service as well.

One clever article I enjoyed reading was "What's in a Name? Iowa Cities with Classical Roots." About 50 towns and cities in Iowa have names rooted in Classics. It occurs to me that this might make a nice project for Latin students in other states. Have you considered having your students use a map to locate places with Latin, Greek and mythological place names in your state?

Graduation Gift Ideas for Latin Students and Classics Majors

It's the beginning of May and in a few weeks high school and university seniors will be graduating. Some Latinteach listmembers have been discussing ideas for farewell gifts. Here are a few suggestion :

• Anima Altera has a wide range of Latin-themed products, including beautiful posters, prints, mugs, calendars, notecards, spiral journals, hats, t-shirts, sweats and more. Designed by Latin teacher, Ginny Lindzey, you are sure to find a wide range of wonderful presents. Sentiments that might be appropriate for grads include "Tempus Fugit" and "Carpe Diem," but there are many, many others. If you prefer simply writing a card, Ginny has a wonderful line of stationery too!
  
• Amphora, the American Philological Association's outreach publication, includes "accessible articles written by professional scholars and experts on topics of classical interest that include language, mythology, history, culture, classical tradition, and the arts" as well as book, film and web site reviews. You can read back issues (through early 2007) on the website, but your students will undoubtedly enjoy receiving current print issues via subscription. A one year subscription (2 issues) is only $10 and your student will think of you when they find it in their mailbox. This is a particularly nice gift for students who may not be planning on continuing their classical education -- and for those who will. Who knows? You might want to get a subscription for yourself.
  
• Gift Certificates and Cards are always nice -- and you can be sure the recipient gets exactly what he or she wants!
• Membership in a Classical Assocation is also a thoughtful gift. Membership in the American Classical League or the previously mentioned American Philological Association would be a fantastic present for a recent university graduate or brand-new teacher, especially if he or she will be looking for a job. Both the ACL and APA have placement services for members. If your grad is already a member of a national association, consider one of the regional associations. Museum memberships are also great!
  
• W.H. Adams Antiqarian Books is a small but enchanting brick and mortar bookstore specializing in Greek and Roman, Biblical, Middle Age, Renaissance, Reformation and 17th-19th century texts. You will receive individualized attention from this wonderful shop. This is the real deal, an old-fashioned antiquarian bookstore run by a small and attentive staff. Click on the link to see their online catalog.

Of course, it's the thought that counts and there are some free -- or very nearly free -- possibilities as well.

• You could compose a certificate (in Latin, of course) for your graduates. If you know how to do calligraphy, you could hand letter it yourself. Otherwise, there are calligraphic artists who will design your certificate for a fee. You could, of course, use a nice font and print it out yourself!
• Photographs from JCL inductions, award ceremonies or competitions.

Suggestions are welcome, especially ideas for free and nearly free farewell gifts. This list will be expanded.

More Latin Study Materials

Have you seen Baylor University's Department of Classics Latin Study Materials? Here you'll find worksheets, study guides and grammar songs!

Tips for Reading Latin

Ginny Lindzey has designed some wonderful bookmarks with tips for reading Latin, based on Dexter Hoyos' book Latin How to Read it Fluently. Get your bookmarks at the University of Georgia's Latin SANDALS site (scroll down) -- and be sure to check out the other materials available there!

Developing Latin Language Reading Proficiency

Most teachers would agree that the best way to develop a skill is to practice -- a lot!

Latin teachers may differ in their teaching philosophies and styles, but the vast majority would concur that the best way to improve Latin reading comprehension is to read. Latin teachers who teach inductively will as a matter of course incorporate as much reading as possible. Even Latin teachers who teach the language deductively still expect their students to apply the grammar taught to reading and translating.

John Piazza has put together a wonderful selection of resources for teachers who want to increase the amount of extensive, comprehensible, content-rich (interesting!) reading resources for their students. Included you'll find An Introduction to Every Day Useful Latin, a work in progress by John Piazza and Robert Patrick.

Latin in the Parks

Those of you fortunate enough to be in London or Oxford this summer have the opportunity to enjoy the Iris Project's Latin in the Park lunch time sessions for adults and families. For only £1 pound sterling materials charge per session (about $2 USD), adults and families can learn some Latin and ancient culture. Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy the sun and some Classical culture! RSVP and get more details at the Iris Project's website!

AP Latin Lit Meeting at CAMWS

The College Boards's recent cancellation of the Advanced Placement Latin Literature course and examination continues to be a major topic of discussion among Latin teachers. The 104th annual meeting of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South was held in Tucson this week and one of the evening sessions focused on the results of the 2007 Vergil and Latin Lit exams. Not surprisingly, there were many questions about how cancelling the exam will impact Classical education at the secondary and college level in the U.S. Andrew Reinhard of Eclassics attended the meeting and has an excellent un-official report and summary on his blog.

Stephen Colbert knows some Latin!

Just last night the host of Comedy Central's Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert, led his audience in singing Happy Birthday to Pope Benedict XVI (words provided at the bottom of the screen for the home audience).

Pope's Birthday

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
www.colbertnation.com
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Yo! Is Latin Cool?

Word!

According to the Times of London, the organizers of the European Festival of Latin and Greek are hosting a hip hop concert by a German group called Ista which raps Roman verse!

To jam on some of their tunes, surf to the official Ista website Latein Goes Hip Hop -- auf deutsch, but you should easily be able to find the demo MP3s.

If you want to explore more "Classic" pop, check out the Latin Elvis, Doctor Ammondt!

The Chronicle of HIgher Education Weighs in on A.P. Latin Lit

There's discussion at the Chronicle of Higher Education's website about the cancellation of A.P. Latin Lit and the other 3 "unpopular" courses. (Unpopular? Really now, there's no need to be disparaging! It's one thing to say that the courses have low enrollment, but it just seems a little mean to say that they're "unpopular." Oh well, they probably didn't mean it quite that way.)

Washington Post Reports on Cancellation of Advanced Placement Latin Lit

The Washington Post is now reporting that the Advanced Placement Latin Literature course is being eliminated after the 2008-9 academic year, along with three other "underenrolled" subjects: Italian, French Lit and Computer Science AB.

The Latinteach list was abuzz with this news yesterday after current Advanced Placement Latin teachers started reporting that they had received the e-mail mentioned in the Post's news article.

Don't forget to sign Eclassic's on-line petition to save A.P. Latin Literature!

Advanced Placement Latin Literature Cancelled?

Just this week, a number of Latin teachers received notification that one of the two Advanced Placement Latin exams, the Latin Literature exam, will no longer be offered . Only the Advanced Placement Vergil exam will be available for students. This has understandably caused a great deal of concern among Latin teachers across the United States. Many schools offer 2 years of A.P. Latin (either 3rd and 4th year Latin or 4th and 5th year.) Without a doubt, many Latin students continue their study of the language because they can take these college level courses in high school, simulataneously expanding their knowledge of Latin and the Classics, while also earning credit toward their college degrees.

Andrew Reinhard, who is director of Elearning at Bolchazy Carducci Publishers, has set up an on-line petition at Eclassics where you can add your name and voice your concerns.

Conference Announcement: Meeting the Challenge, International Conference in Venice, Italy

MEETING THE CHALLENGE
Bringing classical texts to life in the classroom

An international conference for teacher trainers and teachers of Latin,
ancient Greek and classical civilisation held from 26-28 July 2008 in
Venice, Italy.

Location

Venice International University
Isola di San Servolo, Venice - Italy

The conference is jointly organized by:

Licia Landi, (SSIS Veneto, University of Venice, Italy); Bob Lister
(University of Cambridge, UK); Per Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen,
Denmark).

Visit the conference web page at http://www.iperlatino.it/venice

Introduction

Following the success of the conference ‘Meeting the Challenge: European Perspectives on the teaching and learning of Latin’, held in Cambridge in July 2005, the second Meeting The Challenge Conference will examine approaches to teaching classical texts and the reception of classical literature. This will be an opportunity to meet with colleagues from many countries and share ideas about the best ways to promote learners’ engagement with classical texts and address questions such as:

• What is the best way to develop students’ personal responses to classical literature?
• • How can we use fiction, drama and film to promote reflection on classical texts?
  
• • To what extent can new technologies and blended learning enhance the study of literature?
  

All papers will be given in English.

Resquiescat in Pace, Robert Fagles

Sad news from the New York Times. Robert Fagles, Translator of the Classics, Dies at 74. Professor Fagles is best remembered for his best-selling, contemporary English translations of the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, and Vergil's Aeneid.

Conventiculum Buffaloniense: The Buffalo Spoken Latin Weekend Workshop

Conventiculum Buffaloniense, the Buffalo Spoken Latin Weekend Workshop, will take place June 27-29, 2008, at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, and is aimed specifically at educators.

The workshop has two goals: it will introduce participants to spoken Latin and allow them to begin practicing it, and also provide a forum for learning and discussion of spoken Latin pedagogy.

The workshop represents an ideal starting point for those intending to participate in other active Latin seminars and informal discussion groups. The participation fee is quite moderate at $75, which includes some meals.

The three main moderators are Neil Coffee, Assistant Professor of Classics at UB; Matthew McGowan, Assistant Professor of Classics at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY; and Scott Ettinger, a teacher at the Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, NY.

Each have several years experience in speaking Latin and leading spoken Latin groups (particularly at the Conventiculum Latinum in Lexington, Kentucky), and are eager to speak with area educators about spoken Latin in the classroom.

Please check the Conventiculum Buffaloniense information page at the University of Buffalo Classics Department site for more information, a schedule, and the registration form.