Veni, Vidi, Vici! A New Latin Pedagogy for Students in the Middle Grades FRANCES R. SPIELHAGEN, PH. D. PROFESSOR MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE NEWBURGH, NY

Latin in Middle Grades?  The study of Latin has been available for all students across many grade levels, usually starting in middle school.  Over time, Latin instruction has declined.  Traditional pedagogy often does not meet the needs of middle grades students in the 21 st Century.  Early experiences with Latin provide a basis for strong understanding of English.  CCSS prescribes familiarity with Greek and Latin roots as early as 4 th grade.  Latin and ancient studies suit the innate curiosity of the middle grades student.

Why Latin? Why now?  Latin provides practice in rigorous and analytical thinking skills.  Students develop deductive reasoning while exploring the structures of the language and its vocabulary.  The Latin language develops English language skills by fostering a strong vocabulary based on Latin roots.  Finally, studying the culture and literature of ancient Rome provides a firm social studies base and perspective on current events and recent history.

Conventional impressions/memories of Latin  Translation  Memorization  Great stories  Hard work  Word meanings  Rich culture  Drudgery  Fun!

“Traduttore e traditore!” * `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. JABBERWOCKY Lewis Carroll (from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872) *To translate is to betray

Making meaning: "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!“ He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought -- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came!

What about?  Nouns: Declensions  Cases  Gender  Agreement  Verbs: Conjugations  Tenses  Voice  Endings  Adjectives  Agreement  And more…!

A New Pedagogy: Making Sense with Authentic Latin Text  Incremental release of vocabulary and forms  Follows standard literacy strategies  One sentence per page  Immersion into text plus graphics  Inductive understanding of the language  Focus on ancient Roman culture  Students’ point of view  Teachers’ guide provides necessary background and grammar

Why Learn Latin inductively?  Experience the language naturally.  Gradual release and repetition of forms in context.  Reinforce with “rules” after experience with language.  Gather meaning without translating!  Gain understanding of the “rules” by using them.

Let’s try it!

Making Meaning

Building meaning: Graphics

Building Meaning: Cultural Context

And the fog lifts: Using cognates. Ianua villae in via est.

Having fun: No translation needed Mater irata est!

CCSS prescribes Latin roots  The study of Latin provides rich understanding of root words that foster strong, well-defined, and rich vocabulary.  Newly adopted Common Core Standards require experience with ancient roots for all students by Grade 4.

Language can – and should be - fun

Endorsement from teachers  “I wanted to thank you for writing Fabulae Caeciliae and Royal Fireworks Press for publishing it. I began dipping into it this morning with my fifth grade students. They have been building vocabulary and spelling foundations with Latin Roots since September, so your material came out at just the right time.”  “By the end of Lesson I, when they got to the vocabulary page, all they wanted to do was build sentences. As Latin toddlers, they are full of enthusiasm and mistakes. But they are rabid for both the language and the cultural studies.”

From students  It was really good and lots of fun.  Write more books.  We enjoyed learning about the culture.  It was easy enough and not too hard.  After studying word roots, we know what to look for in new words.  I liked the cultural bits.

Nil novi sub sole! Back to the future!  Latin continues to enrich our understanding of English and language in general.  “Back to the basics” and standards movement support the study of Latin.  This new pedagogy allows teachers to learn the language as they teach it.  Studying about ancient Rome in Latin enhances social studies classes.

Gratias vobis ago!  Fabulae Caeciliae:  Frances R. Spielhagen, Ph. D. Professor of Education Mount Saint Mary College Newburgh, New York 12550