Latin can be a terrifying subject to attempt at school. As it is the only foreign language we offer, any student who intends to be prepared to go to college must take the class. We live in a rural community where agricultural work is a norm. Latin is very far outside most students' comfort zone.
Since Latin forms a strong basis for vocabulary, but isn't spoken we need a way to spark student interest.
I plan lessons involving food, projects, and games to help students acquire skills that will make them successful. Having a positive experience truly helps students remember the language and culture.
My Project
Many students learn through touch. History and culture will come alive for them as they create their very own ancient-style masterpieces. The students will be making clay projects such as pottery or decorated tiles. They also will have the opportunity to create a painting in the style of the frescoes we study from Pompeii. The Amaco Marblex is a self-hardening clay product for the students to use to make pottery or tiles. Blick has a fresco project plan that includes using the plaster of paris over burlap to imitate the look of the fresco. The Cretacolor Pastels are then used to paint on the surface. Since the walls of Pompeii featured both landscapes and portraits, I elected to request both types of pastels.
The process of researching the art styles and then creating their own will solidify student knowledge of Latin culture.
Art materials for a course can be expensive and hard for some students to acquire. Please help me make this Latin course memorable for my students.
More often students remember what they do more than they remember what they read. This will provide not only a learning opportunity for us, but we can share the projects with a sister school in the future.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Hoeke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
