Elementary Latin (West)

Class Year:  2010-2011
Time:  Tue 01:00 pm - 02:30 pm;
Teacher:  Jennifer Jones
Tution:  $40/month or $360/year
Supply Fee:  $25/semester
Location:  PREP West (Katy)

---

Prima Latina ? Memoria Press (text $14) / /Audio CD available privately thru teacher / /

/ /The Grammar Stage is an excellent time to start laying a solid foundation in the language arts. For the young reader who is becoming familiar with English grammar, or the mom who is looking for an enrichment class that might reinforce at-home lessons or reveal latent talents, Elementary Latin may be a good fit. / /

/ /Using Prima Latina as our primary text, each week I present students an English grammar skill. We will discuss it, practice it by sharing examples with each other, act it out if possible, and do a bit of work at home each week to reinforce the lesson. Most weeks we will then share our at-home work as a class to solidify the concepts. English grammar is an essential skill to successfully complete any foreign language program in the later years, so it is my belief that this is time well spent in the Grammar Stage. Classroom environment is fun, encouraging, but also respectful. There is a high value placed on building one another up and maintaining an upbeat, optimistic atmosphere so students feel comfortable and safe sharing their work and experiences. / /

/ /I will also teach students five new Latin vocabulary words each week along with their corresponding English derivatives. These derivatives not only aid memorization of the Latin but also increase English vocabulary development. For instance the Latin word ambula means walk. An english derivative is ambulance. We discuss why someone might need an ambulance which leads me to introduce another derivative, ambulatory. Heard enough times and used themselves in a few sentences the students learn and memorize its meaning. Older students who wish more of a challenge are supplied with a Latin Derivatives booklet that lets them delve deeper into these words. / /

/ /Additionally, each week students will learn a Latin phrase (this could be something uesful to us in the classroom such as ?Salve Magistra! Quid agis? Hello Teacher! How are you? or a famous phrase such as Caesar?s Veni Vidi Vici.), and one line of a Latin prayer that is learned in totality over five lessons, such as a Table Blessing. These lessons are reinforced at home through review questions, translations, flashcards, audio CD, and similar activities. In class, I also teach students the highlights of Ancient Roman history and culture. A perennial favorite is the reading aloud of D?Aulaire?s book of Greek Myths. / /

/ /Should students wish to continue in Latin as a foreign language, the vocabulary learned here forms the basis of much of the Latina Christiana curricula, giving students a jump on that part of the lesson work, allowing them to focus more on the grammar lessons presented there. / /

/ /I would be very happy to visit with you and answer questions you might have about this class. Please feel free to email me. / /