Let's Learn Latin! (Cranberry)

Let's Learn Latin will introduce elementary and middle school teachers to the world of Latin and the ancient Romans through a variety of engaging approaches. Teachers get to play the role of students, learning the material through the same activities and lessons that they will be able to use in their own classrooms.

Participants will enjoy learning the basics of Latin, using a colorful, interesting, kid-friendly text called Minimus, richly supplemented by effective and innovative activities to practice the material. Other topics include Latin vocabulary, word roots, and Roman culture and mythology. No previous experience with Latin is needed!

Participants will receive myriad classroom-ready materials on all topics studied.

What are the benefits of learning Latin? Students will better understand English vocabulary and grammar, make connections to other world languages, and think critically about ancient history.

Curriculum
The workshop will lead participants through 50% or more of the Minimus text, giving participants the skills and confidence they need to continue their study independently.

This work at the workshop will prepare participants to knowledgeably and confidently teach their students about the following aspects of the ancient Roman world: basics of the Latin language, grammatical connections between Latin and English, Latin vocabulary and word roots, & culture and mythology.

Connections to Standards
We recognize that for the teaching of Latin and Classical Studies to be effective and feasible, it must be integrated with state standards. Participants will learn about connections to the standards, and other techniques of incorporating these topics into today's busy clasrooms.

Schedule
A morning session (9:00 am - 12:30 pm) will be followed by lunch (12:30 pm - 1:00 pm) and an afternoon session (1:00 - 4:00 pm).

Hospitality
Coffee and a light continental breakfast will be provided at the workshop. Participants should bring their own lunch, as there will not be enough time to leave campus.

Professional Development Credit
All participants will receive a certificate documenting their 6 contact hours.

Mrs. Kristen B. Bortner Kristen Bortner has been involved with Ascanius since 2002 in a variety of capacities. She has developed innovative teaching materials, delivered numerous teacher workshops, and served as both a teacher and administrator at Ascanius' enrichment camps for elementary and middle school children. She also volunteered as an Ascanius Executive Committee member from 2015 through 2022, helping to manage the organization's operations and direct its work toward its mission. Kristen holds a Bachelor's degree in Classics from the University of Virginia and a Master's degree in Literacy Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia, where she currently stays home with her children; previously, she taught Latin for eleven years in public schools in Virginia, Missouri, and Illinois.

Mrs. Donna Seidman Donna Seidman recently joined Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute as Executive Director, furthering the mission of promoting Latin and classics to elementary and middle school aged students. She has taught Latin in the classroom in elementary, middle, and high school and currently teaches 7th through 9th grades while finishing her master's degree in Classics at Villanova. Anxious to see a platform which serves teachers of younger children, she helped to start and still administers the Facebook group, Teaching Latin to the Littles: Elementary Latin Teachers. Donna has also served on the Excellence Through Classics executive committee and currently serves on the SCRIBO committee.