![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/LatinSum.jpg\" "\\"LatinSum\\"")
<\/a>Translation: I am fine. How are you?<\/p><\/div>\n
Though sometimes called a dead language, Latin is very much alive in our homeschool classroom. Five year old Robert and 6 year old Laurel are literally singing their way through Song School Latin<\/em><\/a>, a simple, \u00c2\u00a0entertaining, age-appropriate\u00c2\u00a0curriculum, and\u00c2\u00a0loving every minute of it. In fact, it is Robert\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s favorite subject and very close to the top of Laurel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s list.<\/p>\n Robert's shirt. Translation: Hello. What is your name?<\/p><\/div>\n Some people have commented that Latin is too difficult for children.\u00c2\u00a0 But it is a foreign language, much like Spanish which is taught routinely in Florida schools.\u00c2\u00a0 Roman children mastered Latin.\u00c2\u00a0 Why shouldn’t my grandchildren?<\/p>\n Recently, the children had to make a presentation\u00c2\u00a0at the weekly gathering of homeschoolers which they attend. They chose to report on their study of Latin. Of course, I wanted them to have something wear other than a toga so I made these shirts for that event.<\/p>\n The children wore their show-and-tell clothing proudly.\u00c2\u00a0 The Latin shirts were a big hit\u00c2\u00a0with the other students, most of whom were older.<\/p>\n The text for the shirt designs was created in PE-Design using the Gothic looking font #9. At Embroidery Library<\/a>, one of my favorite sites, I found a design of the coliseum.<\/p>\n Making a volcano.<\/p><\/div>\n It included a tourist riding a bike which I deleted in order to make room for the text. The stepping stones had to be rearranged in BuzzEdit2 www.buzztools.com<\/a> for the same reason.<\/p>\n I know, I know—I have gone on ad nauseum<\/em> (see? You probably know Latin already!) about my love affair with machine embroidery, most especially about the ability to personalize items so specifically. Where, I ask, could you find Latin text children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shirts in sizes 5 and 6 except in your own sewing room?<\/p>\n In the woods pursuing nature study and art.<\/p><\/div>\n Generally, we follow the Classical Education model, which encourages the introduction of Latin and\/or Greek at an early age. This is a supplement to the otherwise almost comprehensive and fabulous Calvert Curriculum which we are using.<\/p>\n Other “subjects” with which we supplement the program include sewing, shop, Bible and more comprehensive science, their mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s favorite topic. She does incredible things with them and they are both enthusiastic little scientists.<\/p>\n But again, I digress from the topic of sewing. I will end my rant about Latin with some interesting and fun quotes on the subject from others who have embraced–or rejected–the value of this\u00c2\u00a0classical language.\u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Laurel and Robert showing off their jellyfsh craft.<\/p><\/div>\n Status quo, you know, is Latin for \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcthe mess we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00c2\u00a0 Ronald Reagan<\/p>\n If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found time to conquer the world.<\/em> German poet Heinrich Heine<\/p>\n I liked Latin, I like languages, I liked all the myths, and the Roman tales that we were required to translate in Latin, and all these interesting people who were never quite what they thought they would be or seemed to be.<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 ballerina Suzanne Farrell <\/strong><\/p>\n The philosophy of the school was quite simple \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the bright boys specialised in Latin, the not so bright in science and the rest managed with geography or the like.<\/em>\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Aaron Klug<\/p>\n Poets that lasting marble seek\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Must come in Latin or in Greek.<\/strong><\/em>\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Edmund Waller<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Though sometimes called a dead language, Latin is very much alive in our homeschool classroom. Five year old Robert and 6 year old Laurel are literally singing their way through Song School Latin, a simple, \u00c2\u00a0entertaining, age-appropriate\u00c2\u00a0curriculum, and\u00c2\u00a0loving every … Continue reading <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>