Mrs Lee sum, latine magister sum!
A normal day in October, a cool breeze and hazy sunshine - today was going to be a good day!
I was greeted by my Principal, Mrs Kendal and Assistant Vice-Principal, both smiling with an over enthusiastic ‘good morning, have you got a minute?!’ I immediately wracked my brain - oh no! What did I do or not do? Was it too late to feign illness or injury?
It started well - much praise for my contribution to school life and my work ethic, my love for academia and a challenge was mentioned. Then, came the reason for the impromptu meeting ‘How do you feel about Latin?’
Having been educated by Nuns, this was the image that came to mind instantly ... I explained that I had studied some Latin at school for religious reasons but had enjoyed the classics. This went down well with the Principal and the AVP. I was going to teach Latin for the rest of the school year to KS2.
I shadowed the Latin lead for a couple of weeks until she departed to pastures new, buried myself in books and on-line Latin courses. I was in the full throws of ‘geekdom’. I found the whole language compelling, the origins and etymology of words, the mythological creatures and the morals behind the stories. I couldn’t wait to share this with the children!
My first lesson, excited, resources at hand. I greeted the class with my first publicly spoken words in Latin ‘salvete, Mrs Lee sum’ (hello, I am Mrs Lee) grinning from ear to ear, proud as punch- waiting for the reply ‘salve Mrs Lee’ I know they had learnt this -still waiting – NOTHING! Now, 2 terms later, I am greeted throughout the school, all year groups, every time they see me ‘salve Mrs Lee’.
I am so impressed with the children’s enthusiasm for this wonderful language, they are willing to read Latin text aloud, translate short pieces of text and sentences, are engrossed in the macabre myths and the art that has been influenced by the stories.
The question ‘why teach a dead language?’ was recently posed to me. I wasn’t sure if my response should be ‘Dead?’ or DEAD!’ Don’t get me started! In everyday life, we all see and use words derived from Latin, in the shops- who has bought a Magnum ice cream? Magnum Latin translation – Big one, fed your cat Felix? Felix – happy, feles- cat. Quoted a football teams motto? Audere est Facere -To dare is to do (Tottenham Hotspur) visited a stadium – stadium - a course for racing, a horse arena – (h)arena – area covered in sand. Use etc. in your writing – et cetera – and more, Quid pro quo – something for something! immortalised by the film ‘Silence of the lambs’ Slightly tenuous – cast a Hogwarts spell? Draco Malfoy – bad lizard – if the shoe fits!
We teach Latin to widen vocabulary knowledge, I have found that the children with English as a second language can see similarities with their home language, encouraging them to take part and in turn we learn vocabulary from their language too. Cultural insight, the scheme we use highlights slavery and chauvinism - great talking points. The use of Latin in further education and study of the sciences and humanity subjects, the arts and music give a unique foundation for many students.
This year I was asked to be Latin lead – no brainer!
I think you may be able to tell that I have fallen for this wonderful language and as Latin lead I hope to continue to enthuse the children and engage the staff too. Valete (goodbye)
Trace Lee – Latin Lead - Peckover Primary School