Minimus for little ones

Dear Supporters,

As you know Minimus was designed for children aged 7 - 10, i.e. children in our junior schools. During recent years  I have been very aware that children much younger than 7 are enjoying some form of simple Latin based on Minimus and are getting to know the characters in the family, and so on. Helen Forte and I are interested in creating some material for these pre-Minimus children.

 Do you teach Minimus to children younger than 7?

 Are you an infant teacher?

 Are you home-schooling a child younger than 7?

If you fall into any of these categories we would really appreciate your views on what sort of material would suit your purposes.  Please get in touch to let us know the sort of activities that your very young pupils enjoy; how much actual Latin language do you do?  What sort of materials would help to make Latin more accessible for these tiny ones?

Helen Forte and I plan to get together in August to write some material, so we would love to hear from you as soon as possible with your views.  It is incredible to think that children so young can be enjoying Latin -  but why not?  I really look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes

Barbara Bell

PLP Committee Meeting

Just had a wonderful Committee Meeting with lots of exciting ideas.

Helen and I are excited at the thought of writing simple Minimus material for very young children!

Watch this space,

Minimus Grants

Applications for 'MINIMUS'  Grants

 

One or two teachers have asked for clarification on how to apply for a grant. Grants are available to schools in the UK, to help with the cost of buying Minimus books. Schools are expected to

 

1. Once you have filled in your application form (downloaded here) , please send it (by email or by post) to Wendy Hunt (details at bottom of form). You can also receive an application form and details of the Hellenic Bookservice if you email  wendyelainehunt@gmail.com

 

2. At the same time as sending off your application form, you will be able to order your 'Minimus' resources straightaway, since the Hellenic Bookservice  allows you thirty days to pay your invoice. Your cheque from the fund should reach your school within two weeks of receiving your application form.

 

We hope this makes it clearer! Please contact Wendy if you need any more help.

 

 

Reaction from schools: 'Minimus' quotes...

‘We are keen to introduce Latin into our timetable, having identified ‘Minimus’ as the resource that would be most appropriate to our needs.’

(Laxton Junior School, Oundle, Peterborough)


‘There is so much interest and enthusiasm in our Latin Club that I can make a strong case for introducing Latin to the Literacy Hour.’

(Paul Hillman:Tunbury Primary School, Chatham, Kent)


‘Thank you so much for the grant. The children are absolutely delighted that their Latin club is able to continue and they are full of ideas!’

(Mrs Sue Burt (Deputy Head): Elson Junior School, Gosport)


‘We love our Latin Club. Ws have 12 keen young ladies whose enthusiasm more than compensates for their ability at the moment. There was great jubilation in the staff room today when the cheque arrived.’

(The staff: Susan (Agrippina) and Carol (Diana):Harvington School, LONDON)


‘The Latin Club is well attended with 16 children turning up regularly for extra stimulation. This is a deprived school but I am constantly impressed by their quickness and enthusiasm.’

(Head of Classics: Withington Girls’ School, Manchester: Her 6th form classicists go into nearby Old Moat Primary School)


‘So far we teach 60 pupils for Latin and their interest has been immense. We have made it part of their ‘Excellence and Enjoyment’ afternoon.’

(Harton Junior School, South Shields)



‘The Head has been very enthusiastic about the PLP project and is hoping to sit in the class so she can learn Latin herself.’

(Auchencairn School, Castle Douglas, Galloway)



‘The children are thoroughly enjoying their lessons and are also benefiting from their interaction with the children from St Martin’s Primary School and the two tutors from the Grammar school.’

(Helen Ward (Deputy Head): Vale View Community Primary and Nursery School, Dover, Kent)



‘Dorothy Allen, who will teach the course, is planning to dress up as a large grey mouse for the first class!’

(Fr. Michael Brown (Head): St Mary’s R.C. Presbytery School, Forest Hall, London, NE12 7AB)


‘The Latin Club is still going well and has now been extended to a second group of children. ‘Minimus Secundus’ is needed for the original group, so your grant will help us to buy this.’

(C.A. McMahon (Head): Holy Family School, Welwyn Garden City. Herts.)

British Museum Day cancelled - eheu!

Eheu! The projected Minimus Day at the British Museum, planned for June this year, has been cancelled. We are very sad about it, but hope to come up with a different plan at our May meeting. All bookings have been refunded. 

A message from Minimus

salvete omnes!

It’s time to get creative for our annual Mythology Competition!  You can make a painting, drawing, collage, piece of craftwork, write a poem or a play or record a DVD of your play on the topic of either Perseus and Medusa or Pegasus.

Download the information sheet and entry instructions here, or email the organiser, Linda Soames, at lindasoames@home.3b.co.uk for further details.

NB The closing date is MONDAY 2^nd MAY so get cracking now!

Minimus is really looking forward to seeing all your ideas!

Latest news from Barbara...

January 2016:

Helen Forte and I were delighted to receive our copies of the Portuguese version of Minimus.  This is a translation for those in Brazil and it is thrilling to think of children in Rio enjoying the same stories about Vindolanda and its family.

February 2016:

I was invited to speak at a conference for Welsh Classics Teachers in Swansea organised by Evelien Bracke.  Anna Donnelly, who runs the Solihull Project, and Jayne Treasure, a Minimus Trainer, also spoke about their work with Minimus, so the mouse had a good airing on the programme!  Exciting things are happening in Wales and we are following the spread of Classics there with interest.

On 26th February I was invited back to work with Classics students at Birmingham University by Elena Theodorakopolous , they were an enthusiastic bunch and it was fun exploring ways in which they might use Minimus in the future.  Some of them are certainly considering going into teaching.

Barbara Bell