I must say that this is pretty cool!
Mythology Issues
How different teaching Roman and Greek mythology to high-schoolers is than teaching the same myths to 6th or 7th graders!! I remember having to be very careful of what myths I taught and how far I went with giving background on the gods and goddesses. Now I am teaching the Aeneid to 11th graders. I would never have filled in the details on exactly why Pallas Athena killed Ajax or why Zeus snatched Ganymede for the middle school kids. I didn't even really deal with the fact that Zeus and Hera are brother and sister AND husband and wife. Just seemed wrong. Well, I have to admit that I was also not wanting to deal with angry calls from peeved parents. My 11th graders just jump right in though. I'm not saying that I dwell on the violence or sexual connotations, but sometimes seeing the whole picture and knowing the whole background of a myth really does make a difference. Knowing all of the myth about Athena and Ajax explains her vindictive behavior in the Aeneid. Knowing the whole story of Ganymede helps us understand Hera's uncontrollable jealousy. And knowing that the gods and goddesses reflect many aspects of the ancient culture, it helps us understand the Greek and Romans better as well. At least that's my take on it.
How should Latin be taught?
There are so many Latin textbooks out there to choose from: Jenney's, Oxford, Wheelock's, Ecce Romani. Yet it seems like the methods for teaching Latin are pretty limited: reading method, grammar translation method, and direct method. I would love to think that the direct method of immersion and learning Latin in Latin is the best approach. Is it? Many of my students take Latin for only two years. Where should the focus be: learning the language itself or using the advantage of the English derivatives and links to English grammar to enhance their own primary language learning? Learning Latin as a language or as some sort of complex, mathematical code that makes their minds really work? I love Latin for itself, reading the literature in the original language. BUT I know that many students take it for the bump of their SATs and to help them in their other classes. That is an advantage to Latin, but should it be the main emphasis? I really don't know the answer to that. After taking Latin for around 10 years in middle school, high school, and college, I realize that this answer isn't about me anymore. It's about my students. How do I need to teach to benefit them the most?
New AP Latin
I have been looking through the requirements for the new AP Latin course for next year (2012 - 2013). I have deeply engrossed with teaching the Aeneid and Vergil to my Latin IV students so that they will be prepared for AP level Latin. When I read that the AP Board is adding Julius Caesar's works, I was not sure how to feel. When I stepped back and considered though, I realized that this could be a great fit. I only wish that they had included Augustus Caesar as well. I enjoyed reading the Res Gestae divi Augusti earlier this year with my kids and that put me in mind of how many connections there are between the Caesars and Vergil. This could make for a really interesting class next year. Now I'm getting a little excited about the possibilities!
Latin on the Internet
I already said that Latin is alive and well. I can prove it. No, not by repeating all the relevant "real world" uses that are acknowledged by many fellow language teachers. I am pulling back to the internet, the links that teachers, students, and web-surfers alike can use to learn more about my favorite language.
History, mythology, and literature of the Romans:
Theoi Greek & Roman Mythology - Explores mythology in classical literature and art
Mater Roma - a site full of history, literature, and mythology of ancient Rome
If you're looking for a good grammar basis in the language:
Wheelock Resource Page
Dale Grote's Study Guide to Wheelock's Latin
LatinPraxis Wheelock-linked Exercises
And look here! Links to pages that are actually written in Latin itself!
Vikipaedia, the Latin language version of Wikipedia.
Nuntii Latini - News in Latin - a weekly radio broadcast in Classical Latin
Google in Latin
History, mythology, and literature of the Romans:
Theoi Greek & Roman Mythology - Explores mythology in classical literature and art
Mater Roma - a site full of history, literature, and mythology of ancient Rome
If you're looking for a good grammar basis in the language:
Wheelock Resource Page
Dale Grote's Study Guide to Wheelock's Latin
LatinPraxis Wheelock-linked Exercises
And look here! Links to pages that are actually written in Latin itself!
Vikipaedia, the Latin language version of Wikipedia.
Nuntii Latini - News in Latin - a weekly radio broadcast in Classical Latin
Google in Latin
Is Latin dead?
I teach Latin. I love Latin. I started taking the language in the 7th grade at Lexington Middle School in Lexington, South Carolina. Over the years I drifted to other languages: Spanish, Greek, Hebrew, a little German, a little French, and a smattering of many, many others. But Latin has always been my favorite.
Why do people insist that the language is dead? I am not blind. I understand that it is not spoken much anymore. BUT, it is still relevant to today's students. Latin holds the key to the vocabulary and grammatical structures of the Romance languages such as Spanish, French, and Italian. Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service have shown that Latin students consistently outperform all other students on the verbal portion of the SAT. I think this is because taking Latin makes you more aware of your own language. The literature and mythology of the Romans has been referenced repeatedly in many famous works over the years. To be able to read prose and poetry in Latin gives a student the ability to read classical authors in the original language and avoid the biases and misconceptions of other translators. It gives you a direct line to the wisdom of the classics. Who wouldn't appreciate that?
Why do people insist that the language is dead? I am not blind. I understand that it is not spoken much anymore. BUT, it is still relevant to today's students. Latin holds the key to the vocabulary and grammatical structures of the Romance languages such as Spanish, French, and Italian. Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service have shown that Latin students consistently outperform all other students on the verbal portion of the SAT. I think this is because taking Latin makes you more aware of your own language. The literature and mythology of the Romans has been referenced repeatedly in many famous works over the years. To be able to read prose and poetry in Latin gives a student the ability to read classical authors in the original language and avoid the biases and misconceptions of other translators. It gives you a direct line to the wisdom of the classics. Who wouldn't appreciate that?
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