No need to be a Classicist to teach this book!

Thoughts of a Teaching Assistant in a Norfolk school, who was persuaded to take on the teaching of Minimus:

Initially, when I was asked to consider teaching Latin I was pretty apprehensive. I am not a natural linguist and had no previous experience with the language; It was the beginning of my first job in a school environment, and the first time I would be responsible for children's learning in such a way. However, as a teaching assistant pursuing a teaching career it was a brilliant opportunity to develop my skills in Latin along side the children, as well as to develop my skills as both a teaching assistant and teacher.  The Minimus resources have been extremely useful taking a lot of the pressure out of planning and lesson ideas. Even when I chose to go beyond the resources and ideas in the teacher's book, they provided a solid cross curricular base point, full of relevant information. I've really enjoyed my time teaching Latin so far, and fully intend to take it on as my language of choice later on in my career, as a primary school teacher. The children enjoy it, and are constantly asking me when our next session will be and what we will be doing. Contradictory to the beliefs of some, Latin is, in my opinion, entirely relevant to children today. It brings history to life and provides them with an insight and understanding of their spoken language that they will not necessarily achieve through more commonly popular languages such as Spanish or French.

 

Training Days

There are two Training Days on the calendar at the moment. The first is on Saturday 8th November, 2014, at

James Allen’s Girls’ School, Dulwich, London. Then there's one in Bristol on Saturday 7th February, 2015, at the Red Maids School. Both are full day courses with lunch included, and both cost £60.

Both Training Days are suitable for teachers, TA's and volunteers. The course will include an overview of the content and principles of the book plus information on how the Primary Latin Project can support you in your teaching. We will explore how to teach Minimus in a club situation as well as on the timetable. These days are especially targeted at those new to Minimus teaching but everyone is welcome.

Download the application form for the Dulwich day here, and the Bristol day here. 

Minimus teachers needed in York and Camden!

Cundall Manor Prep School, near York, is looking for a part time Latin teacher for next year, after the present one retires. It might suit a Minimus volunteer in the York, Harrogate and Thirsk area. Pupils have been studying Minimus in years 3 and 4 before progressing to the Cambridge Latin course. Jill Heyes, who used to teach there herself, tells us that it is a wonderful school with a real sense of family, and a very happy staff room.

If you are interested, please contact Barbara, who will be able to forward your details.

The Cavendish Prep School for girls in Camden is looking for someone to run a weekly Latin club. The prep school is in Camden (Inverness Street) a 5 minute walk from Camden tube station. The current teacher is retiring, she used to run the Latin club every Monday in term time. It was well liked and the school would like to run it again. This would be starting in September 2014. It is for years 5 and 6, from 3.40 to 4.30 every Monday.The school normally pays those who run clubs by charging the parents.

If you are interested please contact Jeannine Addinall direct: derbanne@hotmail.co.uk 

Newsletter and new book!

In case anyone missed it, newsletter 52 is available here. In it, you will find new of our latest exciting venture, Minimus In Practice, a resource book for teachers featuring all-new ideas, worksheets and illustrations. Read more about it, or order a copy, from this link.

Hexham Book Festival

Hexham Book Festival 2013

Saturday 27th April, 10:30am Queen’s Hall
Salve! Want to know what made the centurions of Vindolanda tick? In this
taster session for teaching Latin to children aged 7 and over, Barbara Bell
uses a mixture of myths, history and language to bring Latin and
Roman Britain alive.
Tickets are available from the Box Office 01434 652477 or online at the
Queen's Hall website or at the Hexham Book Festival site
Queen’s Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LS
£7 adults/£5 children under 14
At a separate event on the same day, Barbara will be running an informal
tour of Vindolanda and the Chesterholm Museum, helped by Catherine
Jarvis, a qualified guide and Minimus Latin teacher. The tour will commence
at 3pm meeting just inside the West Gate of Vindolanda in the courtyard.
Please look at www.vindolanda.com for more information on admission prices
(normal prices will apply), access and layout of the site.

 

Classics for All Reception at the Mansion House – London

I was honoured to be invited to this splendid reception which was hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at the Mansion House in July. "Minimus" has been extremely fortunate in obtaining sponsorship from "Classics for All." The aim of this reception was for those who have given generously to get together and hear reports on how their money has been spent. Jane Maguire, from the PLP committee, gave a fascinating account of the North Walsham project. Clearly the members of the" Classics for All "committee and those who have given money were very pleased indeed by the ways it is being used and the growth of the project in North Walsham.

There is an account of the reception and of the various speeches including Jane’s on the "Classics for All" website (http://www.classicsforall.org.uk/news/). The reception had a most positive atmosphere as over 100 people, all huge supporters of Classics, met and shared encouraging stories of many exciting projects currently taking place. Much was made of the fact that both the Mayor and Lord Mayor of London are very pro-classics. In addition, Michael Gove sent us a message of good wishes and many comments were made about the fact that primary children are now required to begin their language learning at a younger age and that this need not necessarily be a modern foreign language - Latin and Greek are also possible. This is of enormous significance for "Minimus" and provides great opportunities for us.

A video has been made, including the work of the North Walsham project; this can be seen by clicking on the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2udC0SZo98&feature=youtu.be

We are very grateful indeed to "Classics for All" for the initial grant and for their on-going interest and support.

Charity Status for the Primary Latin Project

We are pleased to announce that the Primary Latin Project has been awarded charity status. Our registration number is 1148301. This is a great step forward which should ensure financial stability for the project. Those of you who have sponsored Minimus over the years will be pleased to know that we now have this charity number.

If any of you are willing to support us further and are able to complete a Gift Aid form, please email nicolaprince99@hotmail.com if you wish to receive a form.