***Updated 8/23 – I adjusted some titles and began to think about leveling in my specific context. Titles that have numerous images will be in levels A and B. In some of those titles the Latin might be at a higher level, but if the pictures tell the story well, for my context, I find those books to be great stretch reads for Novice level students who want a challenge. This might not be the best for every context. My leveling system is also based on observations of my students in my context. You might disagree with where I put things. Remember, exactness in levels isn’t as important as having a system for students to work through that gradually becomes more complex.
Also, there may be titles with less pictures in the level C and D range that seem easier. Once again, my students tend to view these as more difficult and I’d prefer they work through the text with pictures, first. Then, when they approach a text without many images they do so with confidence as the text is a bit easier than others.
Lastly, I’m still figuring out how to use tiered readers. I love them as resources but I’ve put them in the highest level which for most of them is authentic Latin text. These are another option I like to give to students looking for a challenge. ***
Blogs with FVR/SDR/SSR thoughts and resources.
Mike Peto – Mike’s thoughts on Free Voluntary Reading are universal. Although a Spanish teacher, his writing style and direction for Free Voluntary Reading unlocked my mind to understand some of the important components to consider to create a successful reading program.
Magister P. – You can start reading library with Magister Piantaggini’s published novels at an affordable price. But don’t miss his thoughts on Free Voluntary Reading while you browse the Pisoverse.
Comprehensible Classics – Magister Olimpi is another author who offers an opportunity to build a reading library affordably. His year in F7 posts offer fantastic insight into the day to day thought process of facilitating CI in a classroom.
John Piazza – A fantastic post about how to create a library and thoughts about the process of a reading program. John has also put together some pdf readers from textbook sources which are a great way to add some varied reading material early on. Just be careful as most textbook readings are more difficult than perceived as they do not always shelter vocabulary.
Books about reading
SSR Handbook – This is the resource to use to start a program. Research, examples and ideas for reading response activities. Here are some thoughts about the important ideas to flush out in your mind as you start a reading program. See more at the following posts.
- Access to reading materials. What are creative ways to add reading materials outside of purchasing as many of the book titles listed below?
- Routine. It’s important to start students with less reading time than you think they are ready to handle. It is much easier to work up to more than it is to work down. Students’ perception of the time is important. Reading for short amounts of time often is better than reading one big chunk once and awhile. Students start to develop a reading routine which is a powerful driver of acquisition.
- Response. Students want to respond to reading. But response opportunities should be a formative process. How can you vary response activities so that all types of students have a chance to interact with their reading and with other people’s thoughts?
- Report. Don’t evaluate and grade but it is important to report. Teacher/student conferences, written responses to student responses and informal conversation all are important ways to report back to students.
My posts about my own Self Directed Reading Program.
Reflections during the 1st semester of my self directed reading program that was sustained.
Library Levels Spreadsheet Link
Example Reading Log – a simple log that I use so that students can monitor their progress. This is used as evidence toward a student’s proficiency, but mostly in a way that they are engaging in reading. This falls under an interpersonal rubric I use to score their day to day processing of Latin.
Absence Management Log – Students are expected to replace a small amount of Latin input for the days they miss. They can read from one of the titles below, read something online, listen to a podcast like quomodo dicitur or watch a Latin video like Magister Craft’s.
Introduction
Quot Animalia
Quid edam?
Quo colore est?
Level A
De horto zoologico by Michael Hirschler
Piso Perturbatus by Lance Piantaggini
Rufus Lulentus by Lance Piantaggini
Rufus et Arma Atra by Lance Piantaggini
Rufus et Gladiatores
Rufus et Lucia: Liberi Lutulenti
Taurus Rex
Urusus et Porcus
Quid Agis, Achilles?
Arma Virumque Numero (from prima luce)
Passer Catulli (from prima luce)
Syra Sola
De Torta Natalicia
Rena Rhinoceros
Level B
Familia Mala: Saturnus et Iuppiter by Andrew Stephan Olimpi
Familia Mala: Duo Fratres
Labyrinthus
Ego, Polyphemus
Drusilla In subura
Leo Molossus: one dog’s adventure in the Roman Army
Quintus et Nox Horrifica
Level C
Via Periculosa
Drusilla et convivium magarum
Livia Mater Eloquens
Pandora: Familia Mala Volumen III
Level D
Eurydice
Clavis Apollonis
Filia Regis et Monstrum Horribile
Templvm Romanvm
Romulus et Rex: a prehistoric legend
Charybdis: capellus valde esuriens
Level E
Camilla
Cloelia Puella Romana
Iter Mirabile Dennis et Debrae
Perseus et Rex Malus
Perseus et Medusa
A New Latin Primer
Piso Ille Poetulus
Fortuna Fortibus Favet: viae variae patent
In Vineto
Bellovesus in Gallia
Cupido et Pysche : A Latin Novella
Cornelia
Level F
Calio: Fabula Latina
Fragmenta Pisonis Volumen I
Tres Fabulae Horrificae
Maximus et Caecilia
De Claustro Magico
Leonidas: De Ducibus Graecis I
Fabula de Sciuro Nuciola
Fabula de Petro Cuniculo
Level G
Regulus
Winnie Ille Pu
Alicia in Terra Mirabili
Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis
Harrius Potter et Camera Secretorum
Daimon
Acta Muciorum
Arbor Alma
Cattus Petasatus
Orbis Pictus Latinus
Pinoculus
Fabulae Divales: Fairy Tales in Latin
Fabulae Mirabiles: Fairy Tales in Latin
Odyssea Magistri Craft
Dominus Quixotus: Eques Ultimus
Level H
Fabulae ab Urbe Condita
Latin Readings for Review
Ritches Fabulae Faciles
Cupid and Pysche
Auctores Latini
Carmina Amoris: A tiered reader
Social Criticism Through Horace and Martial: A tiered reader
Daedalus et Icarus: a tiered Latin reader
Villians from Vergil, Livy and Sallust
Thanks for your thoughts. I will be implementing a reading program in my Spanish classes next school year. I do prefer how you called it: Student Directed Reading. I believe it might take away some excuses of “If it is voluntary, then I do not volunteer to read!”…
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Hercules Made Easy SPQR (Kindle book) is really easy and interesting to read (part of Fabulae Faciles
Tres mures caeci Again Kindle is fun to read.
Where would you put “Epitome Historiae Sacrae” Lhomond/Carfagni
Ora Maritima Sonnenschein and Pro Patria Sonnenschein are interesting, but aren’t page turners
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I’m not familiar with these titles yet. So I will add them at some point when I get a hold of copies.
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New Level A Pisoverse Books by Lance Piantaggini
Level A
Familia Mala: Saturnus et Iuppiter
Rufus Lutulentus (20 words) (year 1)
Rufus et Lucia Lutulentus (28 words)
Syra Sola (due 29 Oct 2018)
Piso Perturbatus (36 words)
Rufus et Arma Atra (40 words) (year 1)
Rufus et Gladiatores 49-108 words)
Taurus Rex
Urusus et Porcus
Labyrinthus
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Are you sure those are all by Lance? I put titles into the list after I have a copy so I can at least look at the book when questions arise. It looks like I need to purchase Rufus et Lucia and Syra when it is out.
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Where do you find “Fiona Cantrix (singer moves to Berkeley”?
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Do you have a link to Fiona Cantrix? I can’t seem to find that title anywhere.
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Fiona Cantrix was Lance’s first stab at a novella, in draft form, and I had printed a few copies as a test run. I still have a few copies for sententimental reasons (takes place at my school!), but I don’t think he would want it circulating now, given all the excellent novellas he has produced since.
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aha! That makes sense. Thanks for following up!
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