Comprehensible Latin Input
Recently there was a debate in a teacher group about the use of Classical dictionaries. Passions were vibrant. I debated within myself wondering where I stood. My guess is about half of the responses were in support of teaching students how to use Classical Latin paper dictionaries and about half were opposed to the need … Continue reading Move your teacher self out of the way: It’s blocking your view of the human beings in front of you.
Novice high level performance benchmarks from ACTFL. Should we assess performance or true proficiency?
Use blackout poetry with a new text as a formative assessment to create rich discussion that is student driven and compelling about theme connected to the text.
I'm burnt out today. Lately, the Active Latin versus Grammar-Translation debate has popped up in my social media feeds. I need to do something different so I watched a lecture from Salvi about the possibility of a bridge between Active Latin and Grammar-Translation to change up my day. These thoughts are a bit raw and … Continue reading Why I think “Active” versus “Grammar-Translation” misses the point.
As my classes completed a first semester of Self Directed Reading there were still some students who fought the idea of reading or who read begrudgingly. Even though I attempted to consistently remind myself that I needed to hold out and keep offering titles that may interest those students, there were days that it was … Continue reading Quis me amat?: An introductory Latin reading.
For some reason my students do not often read Iter Mirabile Dennis et Debrae. One of my goals next year with SDR (Self Directed Reading) is to do a better job of introducing and highlighting the Latin titles which are now in our library. The story line seems compelling to me as both Dennis and … Continue reading Iter Mirabile Dennis et Debrae: The ancient world meets modern in an intermediate level story.
I am currently working on updating information about Latin reading materials so be aware as you look at my self directed reading page. I have to be honest; as I start reading Lucia, Puella Mala that I'm skeptical based on the title. This comes from a father of 3 girls, the oldest being 7, who … Continue reading Lucia, Puella Mala
Pluto: fabula amoris by Rachel Ash and Miriam Patrick is a must add to a free volunteer or self directed reading library. It is affordable and also has a teacher's guide. Students' feedback is that Pluto: fabula amoris is more difficult than the Rufus titles from the Pisoverse. My assumption is that is mostly because of a … Continue reading Pluto: fabula amoris – An introduction to Classical mythological characters for the Novice reader.
GooseChase is an app that allows you to create scavenger hunt type games for groups. I first experienced GooseChase in Katherine Gales' classroom at Xavier High School last year. Here is how I've used the app a few times: I found some items or areas in our school that relate to something we've been reading … Continue reading Creating Student Driven Input: GooseChase
As the year winds down I'm ready for some time to reflect. Overall this has been a fantastic year. There have been struggles and celebrations like any other year. But this year, I have provided more input for all levels of students than any other year. I've noticed a lot of posts on different social … Continue reading Communicative Context in the Classroom.
