Saturday 12 July 2014

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


Thursday 15 May 2014

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 

 
 

Sunday 6 April 2014

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.