Fri, 31 Mar 2023 19:54:11 GMT
Artefacts in Action offers a fun, hands-on interactive session led by a fully qualified classics teacher. Chloe Lewis, a Classics teacher with over 20 years’ teaching experience, has recently set up a small, freelance company which offers handling sessions of Greek and Roman artefacts to primary schools in London and the surrounding areas. Do have a look at the website: www.artefactsinaction.co.uk
Mon, 06 Mar 2023 14:53:03 GMT
Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold our Mythology Competition this year. I know this will be disappointing news for many. We hope that it will be back in 2024.
Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:26:39 GMT
Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:56:14 GMT
Please note that our grant scheme is on hold at the moment.
Tue, 26 Apr 2022 10:33:15 GMT
The deadline for the Mythology Competition is fast approaching! All entries must be in by Friday 6th May; details are here: Mythology Competition | PrimaryLatinProject. Any questions or queries, email tildesley20@gmail.com
Tue, 01 Feb 2022 10:49:54 GMT
You can now watch a video of Barbara Bell talking about Minimus on the Vindolanda website. Enjoy!
https://www.vindolanda.com/Blog/the-creation-of-the-minimus-story
Tue, 11 Jan 2022 12:19:24 GMT
,https://www.primarylatinproject.org/mythology-competition
Happy New Year! The Primary Latin Project Mythology Competition is running again in 2022; . We had nearly 300 entrants from 35 different schools last year and look forward again to seeing your amazing artwork and animations, and reading your creative stories and poems inspired by Echo and Narcissus or The Birth of Athena. Hopefully there will be opportunities for Drama as well this year!
Sun, 31 Oct 2021 17:31:21 GMT
Dear Supporter
Message from the Director of the Primary Latin Project: Jayne Treasure
I hope you are all well.
This morning I was reminded by my ‘phone that three years ago today I was in Rome.
The weather was wet and windy - much like today. Barbara celebrated a significant birthday in October and she and her family are currently in Greece where the weather looks glorious.
Since April, PLP has supported twenty schools by giving grants to help with the cost of purchasing the Minimus textbooks and vital resources and/or general books to start a classics library. We remain indebted to Classics for All for funding the training required by these schools and for all their support.
You will have seen an article about the Latin Plays in Bristol in the last Newsletter. I was lucky enough to be one of the judges this year. We had such an enjoyable afternoon watching all the plays on a large screen. The standard was incredibly high. Congratulations to all who took part. The winner in the Junior competition was Badminton Junior School, Bristol and the joint winners in the senior section were the Royal High School, Bath and St Mary’s Calne. My thanks to the Bristol CA and to Andy Keen and Bristol Grammar School for hosting the event.
The Mythology Competition 2021 was a record-breaking year, with 41 different school and independent entries, and 286 entries in total. You can see a report and the winning entries here:
As ever, we are indebted to the Jowett Trust for a generous grant to cover the costs of the competition, and to our judges, who, despite over a hundred more entries to manage between them, have been so enthusiastic about the competition and the students’ entries.
All details for the PLP Mythology Competition 2022 are here:
https://www.primarylatinproject.org/mythology-competition
The myths are Echo and Narcissus (Key Stage 2) and the Birth of Athena (Key Stage 3) for 2022.
Do have a look at the resources on the PLP website. Anna Bell, the co-ordinator of CfA’s London and South East Classics network, has produced some excellent resources. There are also many resources on the Minimus website http://www.minimuslatin.co.uk/
I receive a number of emails asking about what is needed to teach Minimus. All the details are here: https://www.primarylatinproject.org/what-do-i-need-to-teach-minimus
Classics for All update: Classics for All offers free support to any schools wishing to train to introduce Latin via Minimus or any other classical subject on the primary or secondary schools’ curriculum. Training can be offered online or face to face. For more information, just send a few details about your school and its classical interests to contact@classicsforall.org.uk
As always, thank you to all PLP committee members, trustees and trainers for their work and support.
I hope you enjoy the range of reports below. Do get in touch if you have any news or questions – you can use the contact form on the website or my email. Thank you for your support.
Why did you write ‘Minimus Secundus and why did you set it in York?’
I only ever intended to write one book. I envisaged a small, cartoon-style Latin book to help young children understand the main points of English grammar and to build their English vocabulary through word derivations. Minimus - Starting out in Latin was published in August 1999. Helped by a burst of national publicity - newspapers, radio and TV programmes - the word spread very quickly and it was well received. The publishers (Cambridge University Press) had printed 7,000 copies, which they imagined would be the sales in the first year. By Christmas 1999 it had sold 5,000 copies and at the end of the first year total sales were 14,000 - exactly double the anticipated figure.
Journalists often ask me why Minimus has been so successful. There are 2 main factors:
1. Helen Forte’s superb illustrations. People smile when they start looking at the book! Helen was brought up on a course called “Latin with Laughter” and I think it shows in her work. The pictures bring the stories alive. Children identify with this family and of course the pictures also act as aids to translation.
2. The book is based on a real family, who lived at Vindolanda at the beginning of the 2nd century AD. I am a great fan of the Cambridge Latin Course; when I have taken pupils to Pompeii, they are predictably impressed with the theatres, amphitheatre, baths, mosaics etc. but the icing on the cake for them is to be photographed outside Caecilius’ house. After all, they have studied this man and his family for about a year; now they can see where he lived. The same is true of Vindolanda , which is a very special Roman site. Imagine being able to see over 2,000 Roman shoes, including the sandals which Lepidina wore and a small children’s shoe worn by little Rufus. Imagine seeing Lepidina’s sewing needles, still in their leather case, or Rufus’ toy sword - just one of the remarkable finds made of wood. The wooden writing tablets are what make this site so famous.
My Advisory Panel were adamant that if the book was to stand a chance of getting into British schools, we had to set it in Roman Britain. Once we had made that major decision, it didn’t take long for us to settle on Vindolanda.
One year after publication, I was running an international project. One year later it was almost running me. I was naturally thrilled at the positive responses from all over the world, but I knew I needed help. A committee was formed and everyone on the committee took one area of Project work and made it his/her own.
By 2002 some of the first Minimus classes had completed the first book and were asking for more. Children wrote to me ‘Please, please write more stories. We want to know more about this family’. My school agreed to my request for a sabbatical and my Advisory Panel was chosen. Now for Book 2!
Where to set the book? We would love to know exactly what Flavius and the family did when they left Vindolanda. Flavius commanded the 9th cohort of Batavians at Vindolanda for an unusual double posting - for 6 years, from approximately 99 - 105AD. Then we hear nothing of how they left or where they went next. We do hear of these soldiers assisting Trajan in his 2nd Dacian War (Dacia = modern Romania). We wanted to keep the setting in Roman Britain. It is conceivable that Flavius next took a civilian post and we know that everyone wanted to be involved in the creation of the stone headquarters’ building in Eboracum (York). So I have imagined that the family moved there after their period in Vindolanda. I have also imagined the family 5 years later. This made many stories possible. Flavia is now 21 and would certainly be married - which she is and she is pregnant. The children who tested the early material were very excited by this discovery: ‘We have given our teacher loads of chocolate but she still won’t tell us if she has a boy or a girl!’ Iulius is now 18, so old enough to join the Roman Army. Rufus is now 8, so it is high time for him to be learning Greek - so he does, taught by a Greek teacher who happened to be living in Eboracum at this period - Demetrius Scribonius. As with the first book, the stories are based on genuine artefacts and on information contained in the famous Vindolanda writing tablets. This historical basis for both books is extremely important and there should be many classroom discussions about the importance of examining the relevant evidence.
Finally:
York is a splendid Roman city but many of the objects in the York Gardens Museum are of the wrong period - such as the famous Whitby jet jewellery. I was very fortunate to have the help and support of the Director of the museum, Elizabeth Hartley, who came round the museum with me, pointing out artefacts of the right period. The research for this 2nd book took me to many new areas of Latin - Roman gynaecology, British hunting dogs, Trajan’s 2nd Dacian war - which were absorbing and fascinating.
Training News: Sue Balmer
In the last update in April 2021, I mentioned Polam Hall School in Darlington. This school started teaching Latin in KS2 in 2019. They introduce songs and stories in KS1 and have recently experienced an Ofsted deep dive in languages. The children spoke highly of Latin during the inspection, so let us hope that they get a good report. In Polam Hall, as in other schools, there has been disruption because of Covid but in April, the school organised a Roman Day and the local press published an article. See it at:
I always encourage schools to celebrate their Latin news in the media because most people think that Latin and Classical subjects are not taught in our primary schools. It is a chance, along with information on school websites, to explain the rationale behind their inclusion in the curriculum, which may encourage other schools to make the leap.
Polam Hall has made great strides, but with staff changes they need ongoing support, as do others. I have realised that we must keep in regular touch with the schools we trained to give them updates, added resources and to praise them for their efforts. I am in the process of arranging further refresher training and will monitor progress. We need to create networks of schools so that they can contact each other and share ideas. This is difficult in some areas where there are very few primary schools offering Latin but there is no reason why we cannot bring schools together virtually now that we are so used to the technology.
Thanks to Alice Case, there is a growing number of schools teaching Latin in the northwest. They are forming a small network and will be encouraged to make contact and share ideas and resources. Even if we cannot organise face to face teachmeets, we could meet online.
In the northeast we are still finding it exceedingly difficult to get Latin into the primary schools, even though it is Minimus’s home and we have wonderful sites for school visits. I have continued with my tours of Arbeia, where I tell the story of Regina and Barates. The site opens in the Spring and is free to visit. When it closes at the end of September, schools can still arrange visits. One of the learning officers caught Covid as the fort closed for the winter and I had the opportunity to take her place as a guide for school groups. I took Minimus and Vibrissa with me and integrated Latin into the tour. The children enjoyed it so I gave the accompanying teachers information about funded training through Classics for All. There will be school visits to Roman sites throughout the country. I thought that it might be a good idea to have flyers available for teachers and Alice Case kindly had some printed for display in the forts along Hadrian’s Wall.
In an effort to entice primary teachers in the northeast to consider offering Latin and other classical subjects, Alice, Dr Stephanie Holton from Newcastle University and I advertised twilight CPD entitled “Exploring Word Roots”. On June 10th, teachers from 12 schools in Newcastle and the surrounding area participated in a Zoom session which included an introduction to Minimus. In July and September some schools booked similar CPD for their staff. I hope that more will decide to add training in the Autumn term.
On September 15th I was pleased to be able to train staff from Newby Primary School in the centre of Bradford as they plan to replace their KS2 modern language with Latin. They have a high proportion of EAL pupils. Their aim is to use Latin to improve English literacy for all pupils and think that it could be extremely beneficial for the EAL pupils.
In September and October, I delivered two twilight update sessions with Christ Church C of E Primary School in Sefton. There was a new coordinator for Latin and other staff had not been present at the original training and were not confident. A welcome grant for extra textbooks came from the Primary Latin Project and the teachers are grateful for the extra funding.
Redgate School in Formby will be added to the network in the northwest when I deliver their initial Minimus training in November. Once again, it will be face to face training for a full day as we seem to be getting back to a normal pattern. They are also planning to deliver Latin as their main KS2 language.
It is a year since I trained Dixons Manningham Primary School in Bradford. Last December, 20 members of staff managed a full day of Zoom training, which was exhausting. It will be interesting to see what progress they have made when I meet them again for a twilight update session at the end of November.
Grant Report
General Information for grant applications: applications are considered by the trustees of PLP three times per year. The next deadline is February 15th, 2022. Grants are awarded to state schools and range from c. £50 - £250.
Grants can help support the purchase of the Minimus textbooks, Teachers’ Resource Books and CDs, plus dictionaries etc. Please note that grants are not awarded for items on sale at Minimus Et Cetera.
Since the last Newsletter, the following schools have received grants:
Lamberhurst St Mary’s, Kent; Moortown Primary School, Leeds; Newby Primary School, Bradford; Pensans Primary School, Cornwall; Queens CE Academy, Nuneaton; St. Anne Line Catholic Junior School, Essex; St Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Primary School, Woking, Surrey; St James’ CE Primary School, Wetherby; Scholes (Elmet) Primary School, Leeds; Woodlea Primary School, Surrey.
Ten more schools should receive their grants within the next two weeks. Details will be in the next Newsletter. The grant form is available on the PLP website. If you have any questions regarding PLP grants, please do not hesitate to contact me. My thanks to our trustees and Rachael Jones, PLP’s Administrator.
New Resources: Anna Bell
Free Minimus PowerPoint Presentations and a Scheme of Work, available for teachers to download and use, and adapt if necessary. To access these resources, go to https://www.cfasoutheast.org/resources - you will be asked to fill in a short form; this will take you to the password page, which will allow you to access the resources. This link is also on the PLP website.
Updates: Dr Arlene Holmes-Henderson
Other News
There’s a lot going on in Bath:
The Roman Gym is now open!
Step into the Roman Gym where you will journey back in time and walk amongst newly excavated remains, never-before seen by the public. Explore the area where ancient visitors worked out to keep fit and healthy prior to heading into the Baths themselves. You'll also have the chance to view a laconicum, the remains of an ancient sauna. This new area is part of the Roman Baths visit and is included in museum entry. Tickets must be booked online in advance.
Myths and Monsters
Calling all monster hunters! We are so excited to be introducing you to the world of Myths and Monsters. In our special exhibition you will see monsters from the stories you know and love. We have monsters big and small, creatures of myths and legends and some creatures created especially for you.
From the pages of some of the best-selling books and stories told from one generation to the next, we are delighted to bring these illustrations to the gallery walls. From: The Gruffalo to The Iron Man and Unicorns to King Arthur, there is genuinely something for all ages. Myths that you have grown up with and hopefully a few monsters that you are still to meet.
https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/events/myths-and-monsters
Helen Forte has been really busy on Twitter in October. As always, her illustrations are wonderful. #inktober #ClassicsTober
Finally, keep an eye on the Vindolanda website for news of forthcoming events. February 2022 is going to be fun: https://www.vindolanda.com/
Contact details:
Jayne Treasure, PLP Director
jatpenallt@yahoo.co.uk
PLP on Twitter:
@PrimaryLatin
Minimus
Minimus on Twitter:
@minimus_Latin
Fri, 25 Jun 2021 11:59:12 GMT
Primary Latin Project Mythology Competition 2021
What another strange academic year it has been. The continued lockdown conditions meant that many of the mythology competition projects were once again undertaken in circumstances that have been very far from normal.
It has, however, despite these difficulties, been a record-breaking year for the competition, with 41 different school and independent entries, and 286 entries in total! This year we had overseas entries from two Australian schools, one Spanish school and one American school; we are so thrilled to have such a reach. It is also lovely to see many schools returning year after year.
Key Stage 2 Art was, again, the most popular choice for entry. Drama has been the most badly hit by the restrictions, with little collaboration able to take place. We hope to see Drama entries return in greater numbers next year.
As ever, we are indebted to the Jowett Trust for a generous grant to cover the costs of the competition, and to our judges, who, despite over a hundred more entries to manage between them, have been so enthusiastic about the competition and the students’ entries.
Finally, huge thanks to all of you, the staff and students of the 34 schools who took part, and all the individual entrants, who have been inspired by the myths and have produced such inspirational work.
Some of the work has been reproduced below, where possible due to formatting, along with a prize-winners list, and I have also included the general comments from the judges.
Myths for 2022 will be: Key Stage 2 - Echo and Narcissus and Key Stage 3 – The Birth of Athena, available in the Minimus books and at: https://www.primarylatinproject.org/audio-stories. Further details to follow on the Primary Latin Project Website.
I very much hope you will all be able to enter again next year. If you have any queries or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me on tildesley20@gmail.com.
General Comments and Feedback from the Judges
Art: It has been such a pleasure judging the art competition this year, it always makes me very happy to see the creativity and work that has gone into producing the entries. The amount of art entries that were submitted was very high and each was judged taking the age of the child into account. Entries this year were very varied including paintings, a 3D design and print out, mosaics and collages. Top prizes were awarded for originality of entries, quality of presentation and depiction of the myth.
Creative Writing: KS2 - The quality of writing this year was notably high which made judging the entries both an absolute pleasure and very difficult. It was wonderful to see such a variety of writing genres with children all showing a real familiarity with the myth of Pandora's Box.
KS3 - The volume of entries to the competition this year has been particularly high. Each entry has been of a high quality and it has been a pleasure to read each and every one of them. There are many talented writers who have shown their skills in this year's competition. It was wonderful to read so many varied versions of the myth of Odysseus and the Sirens.
Animation: KS2 - I was really impressed by the quality of the animations this year. There was a wonderful variety of skills involved – music, modelling, dialogue, narrative and dramatic speaking. A lot of thought had gone into the pupils’ creations and they were a joy to watch. Judging was not easy and everyone deserves many congratulations for entering and for producing such great films under the difficult circumstances of this year. Thank you all!
KS3 - It was brilliant to see more entries at KS3 this year and the animations were of a very high standard making it a very close call when awarding the prizes. Everyone had really thought through the message of the myth and then presented it in a wide variety of ways, creatively using music, speech, graphics, models and paintings. Well done to everyone for entering and for producing such great films under the difficult circumstances of this year.
Drama: KS2 - It was so impressive to see how inventively the pupils responded to performing their plays under the circumstances this year. Writing, acting, filming and directing themselves showed real determination and I’d like to congratulate all those who submitted entries. Well done and thank you for making me smile!
KS3 - It was so impressive to see how inventively the pupils responded to performing their plays under the circumstances this year. Writing, acting and filming while socially-distanced showed real determination and I’d like to congratulate you on a superb entry. Well done and thank you for taking part.
Prize-winners List 2021
Key Stage 2
Art
1st prize
Serena, Abbotsleigh (below)
Jacob, Beechwood Park (not reproducible)
2nd prize
Max, Brambletye School
Isabel, Granville School
3rd prize
Noah, Beechborough
Katherine, Brambletye School
Elcie, from Eagle House School
Jasper, Manchester Grammar School
Ruby, Manchester High School
Halo, Royal High School, Bath
Jamie, Westminster Cathedral Choir School
Maximilian, Westminster Cathedral Choir School
Animation
1st prize
Krish, King Henry VIII School
2nd Prize
Riya, Eagle House School
3rd Prize
Amy, Beechwood Park
Ezra, Beechwood Park
Suleiman, Manchester Grammar School
Discretionary Award
Daisy, Eliza and Sylvia, independent entry
Drama
1st prize
Hannah, Sheffield High School for Girls
2nd Prize
Nancy, Ardvreck
Creative Writing
1st Prize
Daisy, Granville School (below)
2ndPrize
Sulaiman, Merchant Taylors Prep
Ottie, Thomas’s Clapham
3rdPrize
Daniel, London Christian School
Ebenezer, Arbourthorne
Flora, Ardvreck
Best Set of Entries at Key Stage 2: Beechwood Park
Key Stage 3
Art
1st prize
Oakley, Brambletye School (below)
Harshini, St Albans High School for Girls (below)
2nd prize
Grace, St Albans High School for Girls
3rd prize
Thomas, Brambletye School
Ella, Eagle House School
Laylaa, St Albans High School for Girls
Paloma, St Albans High School for Girls
Animation
1st prize
George, Yateley Manor
2nd prize
Peter, Merchant Taylors Prep
3rd prize
Henry, Christ Church Cathedral School
Georgia, Dr Challoners High School
Drama
1st prize - Chicago Grammar School
Creative Writing
1st Prize
Alice, St Albans High School for Girls (below)
2nd Prize
Elina, English International School
3rd Prize
Isabelle, Dr Challoners High School
Caleb, Eagle House School
Best set of Entries at Key Stage 3 - St Albans High School for Girls
Key Stage 2 Art Winner: Serena, Abbotsleigh
Key Stage 3 Art Joint Winner: Oakley, Brambletye School
Key Stage 3 Art, Joint Winner: Harshini, St Albans High School for Girls
Key Stage 2 Creative Writing Winner: Daisy, Granville School
Sitting. Waiting. In the dark, musty, confined space jostling with the others to try and keep a small area just for myself. Cramped and curled up into the smallest part of myself I can hear the whispered conversations between the others. Feel their breath on my face. No room to breathe. No room to think.
Knowing the plots and plans that the others come up with. The change by the day but always with the same intended outcome. The destruction and ruin of mankind.
How I came to be here, I do not know. But it seems that we are all at the whim of the gods.
Muffled sounds come from outside. Everyone is silenced. We all press our ears against the walls of our confines trying desperately to pick out any words we can understand. Movement. I feel myself tilt slightly to the side and roll into the scally body of the creature next to me. Revulsed, I pull back and whisper an apology. Manners cost nothing, even if these beings make my skin feel like it’s being invaded by a thousand cockroaches.
A creaking and grinding sound as wood that has swollen over time is manoeuvred. A blinding chink of light.
My companions are all coiled energy. The silent expectation is deafening. A rush of wind as unused wings unfurl and open to meet the skies. A stampede of wailing bodies gushes out of our enclosure. Unsure, I stand and stare at out saviour. Her face is filled with terror as the realisation of what she has done dawns. It cements the thought in my mind. One last look up at her golden face I sit back down and forgive her as she closes back the lid.
True silence and now vast space. I have as much time in the world to contemplate the sacrifice I have made for them. We may have been created by the gods to remind them of their fragility, but they still have me.
Hope!
Key Stage 3 Creative Writing, Winner: Alice, St Albans High School for Girls
I stood in a dusty library scanning the shelves for a book. I searched the historical section, as sunlight beamed in like a spotlight on freckles of dust, the light dappled by the leaning trees. The titles of faded gold sparkled in the sunlight, the warm air thick and vast. identical wooden shelves mirrored each other all framing bundles of books, dust seeping out of the cracks and crevasses. Ghosts of footsteps thumped on the floor and echoes of stories glided through the air. The muffled voices of the playground were weakened by the sheer number of closely packed pages and leather covers. I walked down the empty aisle deciphering the titles which had lost their letters now becoming a new language. I saw a large book labelled: 'Hercules'. I hurried over and stared at the surrounding books. Then I spotted a faded mossy green book, the raven black lettering reading: 'Odysseus’ journey'. I pulled out the book and a curtain of dust washed over me like a wave. I stared at the great ship, its sails billowing in the wind. The colours were deep and clouded. I opened the book and flicked through until I found the right page. I looked at the little black squiggles barely readable and wished that the books here weren't so old. I curled up in one of the soft plump armchairs huddling together and settled the book into my lap. Then I started to read.
I stared around me at the deep sapphire sea that lay far below. I stared at the jagged cliff edge steeply rushing down and diving into the ocean, down the endless space fading deeper and deeper until it was no more than black on black. The sea was warm and soft, beckoning me to swim. I could hear an echo of music fading in with the lapping of the sea. If I had known how to swim, I would have leaped in, but my common sense didn't want me to drown and most of the time neither do l. I walked away from the edge and looked around for a clue of where I was. The only thing I could see was twin cliffs facing each other. The grass was as green as emeralds and the sky was clear as a crystal. Diamonds were etched into the cliff. The place was beautiful and rich but there was an unsettling feeling and when the wind whispered, I flinched and my skin crawled. I stared at the ocean and watched as a large ship sailed in its sails billowing in the wind. A flash in my memory of a faded book in a library but it disappeared as soon as it came. The ship was closer now, I could see people on it, the figures were trying something to the mast. As they moved away, and the ship got closer it was clear it was another person. The crew continued to sail towards the two cliffs, and I stared soundlessly as two large birds burst from a hidden ledge on the cliff. I stared as the massive birds flew high towards the boat. They had coffee brown feathers and flecks of gold hidden amongst the brown. As they came closer to the cliff's edge, I saw their sharp claws, then one turned to face me. I saw a beautiful face staring at me. A human face. It was a woman's face nestled amongst the feathers. A small, rounded nose and menacing green eyes that twinkled with joy. The women opened her mouth a row of tiny daggers tracing her
mouth. She looked right through me and turned to face the other monster. I saw the ship
sailing closer and closer and the anticipation on the creatures faces grow stronger and stronger.
I wanted to yell at them to get out, but my mouth was glued together. I stood stuck to the ground and watched as the creatures licked their lips and got ready to pounce. Another memory seeped into my mind of the same green faded book the words siren sparkled in gold. I searched my memory for that word, and I turned to stare at the monsters, the puzzle pieces slotted together, and I looked at the monsters that had a name, sirens. The ship was so close I could see the face of the unaware people. Suddenly I heard a sound. A voice. I looked and saw the siren open its mouth and sing. I didn't worry about the ship. I didn't know it existed. All I could hear was the voice, all I could see was each second it painted another stroke. A white canvas filled with happiness. The laugh of a baby, the blossom of a tree, the lapping of the sea, the blooming of a flower. I smiled and a wave of reassurance washed over me telling me not to worry about the ship to go with then and be safe and not feel pain. The melody turned to sorrow. The cry of a widow, the ghost of a tree, the drowning of a sailor, the death of a flower. I wanted it to end. I followed the voice longing for the end. The music surged with anger. The menace of a killer, the felling of a tree, the storm stirring up water, the trampled flower. I carried on walking to the voices. The music pulled me along its sad story, I cried, I laughed, I screamed. Every time another note was uttered, I wanted more, I wanted to listen to it forever. The story was endless, note after note pulling me, crawling into my head and shutting me down, every note I became less and less human, every note I lost a memory, a desire, every note hurt, caused pain like no other. Every note healed made me stronger. I couldn't think straight, I could only listen. The music was all I could think of. Again, and again. Then once I felt the last ounce of life leaving, I feel, an empty body without a soul. Dead before I had died.
Only then did the memories rush back, the library, the book, the ship. A split second of peace where ! felt alive before I was gone. I closed my eyes to the darkness. Then I heard my name. I looked up. I saw the man tied to the mast. He looked me in the eyes and I remembered the name, odysseys. I heard my name again, but his mouth didn't move. I closed my eyes. The darkness glowed and silhouettes faded from the glowing light. The world took shape and I saw a kind face staring at me.
"Good book, eh?" she said smiling.
"Yeah," I replied. I stared at the library around me. I had never left. I stood up and walked home. Nothing had changed but now every time I heard music, I could never enjoy even my favourite songs again, nothing compared to the beautiful melody of the siren. I wondered about Odysseus. Did all music seem like nothing in comparison to him?
Sat, 01 May 2021 19:26:11 GMT
Dear Supporter
Message from the Director of the Primary Latin Project, Jayne Treasure
I hope you are all well and looking forward to a return to some sort of normality before too long.
During the last six months, PLP has continued to work on the production of more free online resources, give grants, answer queries and support the work with CfA’s Networks. As I said last time, all credit to schools and their inspiring staff for moving forward with their plans for Latin in these challenging times.
Do have a look at the resources on the PLP website. The most recent additions are the Knowledge Organisers (Chapters 1 -3). There are also many resources on the Minimus website http://www.minimuslatin.co.uk/
There have continued to be many online opportunities for those who enjoy anything classical. I particularly enjoyed a talk by Professor Elizabeth Greene, hosted by the Vindolanda Trust, who took us on a wonderful tour of the Roman shoes found at the site, including one which Lepidina may have worn. You can sign up to receive the Vindolanda Newsletter by visiting: https://www.vindolanda.com/
If you missed it, you can listen to Professor Catharine Edwards, one of PLP’s trustees, talking about Marcus Aurelius on Radio 4’s In our Time: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000sjxt
I am looking forward to the British Museum’s exhibition ‘Nero: the man behind the myth’ which opens on May 27th 2021 https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/nero-man-behind-myth
Mythology Competition 2021: Just time to get your entries in: PLP Mythology Competition deadline 7th May! It’s the final week; get those boxes and boats competition-ready! All the details are here: https://www.primarylatinproject.org/mythology-competition
As always, thank you to all PLP committee members, trustees and trainers for your work and support. I hope you enjoy the range of reports below. Do get in touch if you have any news or questions – you can use the contact form on the website or my email. Thank you for your support.
Latin Plays in Bristol , Barbara Bell, PLP Honorary President
Minimus fabulas agit: In my experience, young children love acting. Only one pupil of mine was reluctant to have an acting part, so I asked him to be our narrator (which he did very well.) When he saw the fun which the other children had, he was keen to be involved next lesson. three years later he took a leading role in 'Minimus the Musical!'
Latin plays in Bristol – the background: As an endangered species, Classicists are brilliant at giving mutual support. This has been true throughout my (nearly) 50 years in the classroom, both informally and in a more formal way under the auspices of BACT (Bristol Association of Classical teachers) and the CA (Classical Association). Some years ago the two bodies merged and the CA continued to provide both scholarly lectures as well as more practical talks on GCSE and A level topics, taking groups abroad etc. And then there were the Latin and Greek Reading competitions, which metamorphosed into the Latin Play competition. This was run with great enthusiasm and efficiency, for many years, by Sally Knights of Redland High School. When Sally retired, we all felt it would be a great shame for the CA to die, so two of us agreed to ty to keep things going, with a lot of help from our wonderful Classics Department at Bristol University. We now have a committee of 7 and meet twice a year. It would be hard to find a more enthusiastic and supportive group - committee meetings are an absolute joy!
We have three main talks per year, one per term, plus a book group (very popular during lockdown) and the Latin Play competition. It seems to be a format which works and we regularly attract 75-100 people to the main talks. Even when we are all staring at screens the numbers are high. Dr Emily Hauser from Exeter spoke recently, by Zoom, on ‘Women in the Trojan War’ and 142 signed up from all over the world.
Those of us who knew about the play competition were equally keen to keep that going; I thought we might also incorporate junior plays for those studying Minimus. We began in 2018 with the two levels and, although initially small, our competition is growing and in both years we have had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. I offer the following notes on how we run things and would urge you to consider doing something in your area.
Junior competition:
1. When? Late June works well for us. Exams are over and the Latin plays help to keep pupils focussed.
2. Where? Bristol Grammar School has kindly welcomed us to their new theatre. It is a great experience for our youngest pupils (aged 9) to perform in such an impressive venue.
3. Latin or English? Plays must be in Latin.
4. Length? No play must exceed 5 minutes.
5.What to perform?
a) There are three specific Minimus dialogues on the Minimus website – Leftovers, Rufus is lost in the Baths and Shopping in York. http://www.minimuslatin.co.uk/resource-collection.html
b) Pupils can write their own play.
c) Highly recommended as a source are two books by Diana Sparkes ‘Playtime’ (£10) and ‘Playtime Extra’. (£12 ). Each book is A4 spiral bound, with the Latin on the left-hand page and a translation opposite; it also comes with a CD to help with correct pronunciation of the Latin! They contain well known fairy tales e.g. Three Little pigs, Cinderella. For more details and to order contact Diana directly. Email : basp@soton.ac.uk
6. Help with Latin? Writing in Latin is demanding, especially for some of our teachers who are not specialists themselves. The organisers are willing to check the Latin and offer suggestions. Plays must be sent well in advance.
7. Help with pronunciation ? Each year our judges give some general advice on the sound of Latin. The organisers are willing to give advice in advance. There is also advice on the sound of Latin on the Minimus website. Whilst it is good to make the sound of the Latin as accurate as possible, the performers are young children so we must ensure that they are encouraged and have a good time!
8. Aims of the competition.
a) Pupils should aim to convey the meaning of the Latin as clearly as possible.
b) They should be fluent and well-prepared.
c) They should have a fun experience!
9. How to convey meaning? As part of the play pupils are encouraged to use costumes, props, music and dance if they wish. To see nine year olds performing Latin with confidence and obvious enjoyment and to see their delight if they win a prize, makes for a very satisfying event.
10. Costs? Bristol Grammar School is very generous in allowing us to use their splendid facilities at no cost.
a) Two Judges. Travel expenses and a book token or equivalent.
b) Refreshments for performers, staff and judges
c) Prizes: we receive generous help from the National CA. We award 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in the form of cheques for the schools. Teachers then use this money to supplement their props and costumes, to buy Classical books e.g. Books of myths. We encourage the judges to award joint prizes if appropriate and special commendations. The University supports this event and Prof. Genevieve Lively has designed special certificates which are presented along with the cheques.
A competition in a pandemic?
In 2020 the competition was cancelled. We were reluctant to do that again this year. So for 2021, pupils will film their performances and a small group of judges and members of the committee will meet at Bristol Grammar School to watch the performances. Schools will also be able to watch other competitors perform.
Judges will make their decisions and will then talk about each play, just as they would if everyone was actually present in the theatre. Schools have reacted to this technical format with enthusiasm and so far we anticipate a total of 15 plays.
The best aspect (among many) is for pupils, staff and organisers to see so many people enjoying Latin. This is so important for the future of our subject.
How we launched Latin at St Andrew’s
This report from Jon Robinson of St Andrew’s CE Primary, Maghull, Liverpool shows what can
be achieved with the help of PLP and CfA.
Well over a year ago now, our school decided to pursue the route of introducing Latin into our Curriculum for KS2 children. We had spent the last 6 -7 years teaching Spanish as our MFL, with varying degrees of success, and felt that the time was right for a change, as our ‘feeder’ High Schools all taught different MFLs in Years 7-10. We also felt that Latin would give our children a grounding in all of the Romance languages that the children could possibly move on to learn, and also, through learning Latin, the children would gain a deeper understanding of grammar and a broader vocabulary through investigating Latin root words used in English. With this in mind, we contacted ‘Classics for All’ who put us in touch with the ‘Primary Latin Project’. Through this, we were able to apply for funding for Latin training and resources – both organisations have been absolutely invaluable to us, providing support, advice and a huge amount of expertise. Armed with this, we were ready to go….then COVID struck!
To cut a long stop..start…lockdown…out of lockdown…story short, it was not until January 2021 that we were able to take up the opportunity to train our staff. Of course, by then, children were at home, learning remotely: we wanted a dramatic start to Latin in school so we waited until after the Easter break to launch.
What a launch! On Friday 17th April, we had our Roman Day. Our whole school family arrived at school that day dressed as centurions, legionaries, senators and emperors. School was suddenly a Primary School again with COVID-induced anxieties far from mind. At the school gate, parents commented, “It feels like school again now,” and “They’re so excited to be dressing up.” Families posted tweets of the children getting ready that morning and the buzz was palpable.
We started the day with an Assembly for each Key phase, led by our Latin Lead. The children were shown artefacts from Roman times and were given some basic information about Rome. Each assembly began with learning, ‘Salve’ and ‘Salvete’ – one child pointed out that it sounds like ‘salute’ – and ‘Vale’ and ‘Valete’. The children were told that they were a Roman cohort for the day and would be inspected that afternoon by Maxima Kerwina and Optima Dwana (our Head and Deputy) As part of their inspection, they would be looking for Latin songs, Latin greetings and commands, a class motto and some evidence of new understanding. All classes went to town with this: our school song in Latin; Happy Birthday in Latin, Roman marching commands; Roman honey cake; building an aqueduct; letters from Vindolanda; roman numeral maths; diary entries from Vindolanda and more. Twitter was rocking by home time!
A week later, we have now all taught our first Latin language lessons using the Minimus scheme. The children have loved it. They are still talking about our Roman Day. They already know some basic Latin words and phrases and were hugely receptive to the language. Staff greet each other with ‘Salve’ and every class has a Latin motto and the starts of a Latin display up. The time and effort we invested in our day has been so worth it. Our journey has only really started but, because of the whole school day we had, it feels like we’re off to a flyer.
Training News: Sue Balmer
I have struggled to continue with training during the pandemic but am pleased with news of progress from schools already delivering Latin with Minimus. They report that their pupils continue to enjoy the stories and activities and are particularly pleased to hear about the new Progress Checks.
It has been disappointing that we have not been able to promote Minimus as we usually do to members of the Association for Language Learning because their annual conference, Language World, was forced to take place online. Nevertheless, Ofsted’s Lead Inspector for languages, Dr Michael Wardle, gave a keynote address in which he repeated his praise for the teaching of Latin in primary schools. He mentioned the good understanding shown by the pupils, their progress and ability to manipulate the language. MFL teachers wanting to find out more about Latin have continued to use the Facebook groups, Secondary MFL Matters, Languages in Primary Schools (LIPS) and Salvete LIPS.
One of the most gratifying developments this year has been the sharing of resources and ideas between schools and the growing love of the Latin language among many of the teachers who are enjoying Minimus as much as their pupils. Following training at the beginning of 2020, St Catherine’s C of E Primary in Bolton has started teaching Latin with Minimus. All teachers have been trained and have attended 2 x 2 hour twilight sessions via Zoom in November 2020. During lockdown, the Headteacher, Mrs Karen Graham, created knowledge organisers for the first 3 chapters. She kindly agreed to share these with other schools and they are available on the Primary Latin Project website. Schools have found them useful and would like organisers for the rest of the chapters in Minimus Book 1.
Although it has been impossible to visit schools for face to face training, Zoom has helped to keep the programme of training going. Full days of Zoom are extremely challenging for trainer and teachers, but we managed with frequent breaks and activities. Training for 20 members of staff from Dixons Manningham Primary School in Bradford was for a full day, just before Christmas on December 21st. The teachers appreciate the fact that the training can be recorded and sent to them following the sessions, especially if they are worried about pronunciation or if a member of staff is absent.
Training for 17 members of staff at St Andrew’s School, Maghull, Liverpool, went ahead on January 4th2021. This was another full day of Zoom training to support the school in offering Latin to their pupils as the core KS2 language. Coordinator, Jon Robinson and the staff plan to organise a Roman Day as part of their launch into Latin.
Polam Hall School in Darlington have been teaching Latin across KS2 since 2019 and have also organised a Roman Day, which they celebrated on Twitter:
Some schools have chosen shorter sessions to fit in with their increased workload. On 5th February 2021 16 staff members at Poplar Street Primary School in Tameside completed 3 hours training to enable them to move from Maximum Classics to Minimus for Latin across KS2. Early years and KS1 teachers joined the training and were interested to see how they might prepare their pupils for KS2 Latin by introducing them to the family from Vindolanda.
Some sessions are even shorter. Training for St Anne’s RC Primary School in Manchester was originally scheduled for March 2020. We finally managed to find time for a 2 hour training slot on 24 February 2021. I have found that short training sessions like this need a lot more thought and preparation of pre-session activities. Mentoring and support following the training is also crucial for teacher confidence.
To help teachers of primary Latin to meet each other for updates and sharing of ideas, Classics for All North organised a Primary CPD session. Within the programme there was a chance to get teachers of Minimus together in a breakout room.
On their websites, many primary schools do not mention the fact that they teach Latin in KS2. They make no attempt to explain their rationale for teaching Latin but there are examples of good practice e.g., Ward Jackson Primary School in Hartlepool where coordinator, Jenni Petch, has made it clear why Latin has been chosen and how it is taught.
https://www.wardjackson.net/key-information/curriculum/modern-foreign-language
Prior to the CPD event, teachers were asked to request topics for discussion. This is what they chose, which may help trainers to address some of them.
I continue to act as a volunteer guide at Arbeia and have two tours scheduled, Covid regulations permitting. It is always moving to retell the story of Barates and Regina and can provide an opportunity to introduce people to Minimus.
Grant Report
General Information for grant applications: applications are considered by the trustees of PLP three times per year. The next deadline is June 15th, 2021. Grants are awarded to state schools and range from c. £50 - £250.
Grants can help support the purchase of the Minimus textbooks, Teachers’ Resource Books and CDs, plus dictionaries etc. Please note that grants are not awarded for items on sale at Minimus Et Cetera.
Since the last Newsletter, we have had just one round of applications and the following schools have received grants: Long Knowle Primary School, Wolverhampton; St Anne's RC Primary School, Crumpsall, Manchester; St Walburga’s Catholic Primary School, Bournemouth; The Icknield Primary School, Sawston, Cambridgeshire.
The grant form is available on the PLP website. If you have any questions regarding PLP grants, please do not hesitate to contact me. My thanks to our trustees and Rachael Jones, PLP’s Administrator.
Other News
Catherine Stancil of Calvary Day School, Winston-Salem, North Carolina is a great supporter of Minimus.
Her 4th graders (nine and ten years of age) are working on Minimus Secundus, Chapter 11 and have built model cranes. She wondered if this is an idea other teachers might want to try. She found the plans for the cranes from a NASA website.
https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/otm-heavy.html
Dr Arlene Holmes-Henderson sent me these links to two blogs. Do have a look.
https://www.thefutureoflanguages.org/blog
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/arts-blog
Classics for All update: Classics for All offers free support to any schools wishing to train to introduce Latin via Minimus or any other classical subject on the primary or secondary schools’ curriculum. Training can be offered online or face to face. For more information, just send a few details about your school and its classical interests to contact@classicsforall.org.uk
Contact Details
Jayne Treasure, PLP Director
jatpenallt@yahoo.co.uk
PLP on Twitter:
@PrimaryLatin
Minimus
Minimus on Twitter:
@minimus_Latin
Mon, 22 Mar 2021 11:35:44 GMT
As the end of term approaches, a reminder that the deadline for the PLP Mythology Competition is 7th May. Entries have already been received from as far away as Australia! All details here: Mythology Competition | PrimaryLatinProject
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 11:28:02 GMT
Happy New Year!
The Primary Latin Project Mythology Competition is running again in 2021; details on the website.
We had over 200 entrants from 22 different schools last year and look forward again to seeing your amazing artwork and animations, and reading your creative stories and poems inspired by Pandora’s Box or Odysseus and the Sirens. With luck, there will be opportunities for Drama entries as well this year.
Remember, there is always Hope at the bottom of the box!
Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:32:43 GMT
PLP works closely with Classics for All. Have a look at the incredible auction lots here:
https://classicsforall.org.uk/news-and-events/events/christmas-charity-auction
Sun, 01 Nov 2020 11:49:14 GMT
Dear Supporter
Message from the Director of the Primary Latin Project
I did not imagine that we would still be in the middle of a pandemic when it was time to put this Newsletter together, but here we are.
However, despite the current situation, work has not stopped at PLP. We have concentrated on producing more free online resources, given grants, answered queries as well as continuing to work with CfA’s Networks to provide training for schools throughout the country. All credit to schools for moving forward with introducing Latin in these extremely challenging times.
Our annual Mythology Competition proved to be popular this year. The number of individual entries was noticeable, and I encourage anyone who is looking for an enjoyable and productive activity for Key Stage 2 and 3 children to look at the details on the website. All the myths are available as audio stories on the website. In Wales, we are already in lockdown and it looks as if England will follow – time to get creative.
Sue Balmer, a PLP committee member and a very busy trainer, and I ‘attended’ the ALL (Association for Language Learning) Primary Languages Conference Online 2020 in October; it was a very informative day and it was good to see Latin as part of this vibrant languages community. If schools want a Latin course which will enable them to fulfil the National Curriculum Languages ’s requirement for Key Stage 2, they should head straight for Minimus: it ticks all the boxes as well as being great fun for both teacher and learner. I have noticed a significant trend over the years. Those children who attended a Minimus Club in two local primaries, not only come to the extra-curricular Latin in the High School, but they stay for years. I am still doing Zoom lessons with some students, now 14 years old, whom I first met when they were 10. I am sure I am not alone in seeing the connection with an early love of Latin.
There have been many online opportunities for those who enjoy anything classical. ARLT’s
Summer School went online in July and was a great success. This was followed by a day’s TeachMeet in October. I was delighted to be involved in the primary session.
I also enjoyed a course run by the University of Reading on the Futurelearn website: Rome: a Virtual Tour of the Ancient City. Not quite the same as being there but extremely interesting. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/rome
Classics for All update: During these difficult times, Classics for All is still offering free support to any schools wishing to train to introduce Latin via Minimus or any other classical subject on the primary or secondary schools’ curriculum. Training can be offered online or face to face. For more information, just send a few details about your school and its classical interests to contact@classicsforall.org.uk
Virtual meetings are now the ‘new normal’ and we held a very productive PLP committee meeting in September where we discussed our aims for the year ahead: more resources (including those to help with Blended Learning), more training and an online Minimus Day, most likely in the summer 2021. We still hope to celebrate Minimus 21st birthday (belatedly), plus sales of over 180,000 sales of the first book.
As always, thank you to all PLP committee members, trustees and trainers for your work and support.
As a self-confessed cat lover, a tweet (Guardian Books) caught my eye earlier this week: ‘What can we learn from cats? Don’t live in an imagined future’ (John Gray). Seems a good idea at the moment.
With many thanks for your support,
Jayne Treasure
Report from PLP’s Honorary President
To all Minimus Supporters
Recent Minimus Activity:
1. Minimus Et Cetera: We have been very busy during the period of lockdown when we continued to trade. We received many orders - mostly small and mostly from home schoolers, keen to teach their children some Latin. We received a number of orders from the USA. Since September, several schools have been in touch with large orders, especially for the workbooks. The Workbooks and Minibooks are our best sellers. Apart from the USA we have had orders from Holland and Australia. Sales of the first Minimus book are now close to 180,000 copies worldwide. The price of both Teachers' Resource books continues to be a problem, especially for home schoolers.
2. Training: I have not done any training for over a year. I am willing to help with training in the South West and Midlands but appreciate that my experience of teaching Minimus is now rather outdated and there are many experienced, first-rate trainers who are doing an excellent job. I may be of use to train individuals around my dining-room table! I have done quite a bit of this in the past.
3. Correspondence: I still receive many enquiries about Minimus products. It seems that teachers remain confused about the products that we offer and what is needed to teach Latin, what is extra material etc. Jayne and I share the queries between us. Please see: What I need to teach Minimus
4. Minimus in Bristol:
a) I was due to teach PGCE students for a one-day course on using Minimus in June this year. Obviously, it was cancelled but the PGCE tutors wish to continue with this course next year. We attract MFL, English and History students. There is no Classics PGCE course in Bristol.
b) I am the Events Manager of the Bristol Classical Association and enjoy organising a programme of good speakers. We also run a Latin Play competition and have introduced a Junior level for schools using Minimus. This has proved popular and we hope it will run again next year. Jayne and my former Classics teacher were due to be judges this year.
c) I remain very interested in our Mythology competition and it has been gratifying to see local schools participating and doing well. Last summer I presented the prizes at St. Augustine's school in Downend, Bristol.
d) In June I created some attainment and extension tests (now called Progress Checks) for Minimus 1. Jayne, Linda Soames and Sue Balmer reviewed them and made good improvements. Helen then transformed them with her wonderful illustrations, so they now look fun to do! It was an intense period of about 11 days to complete them. It was very good to be writing again.
Minimus Et Cetera has continued trading during the pandemic. Don’t forget to order pencils, stickers etc in good time for Christmas, especially if ordering from abroad.
Best wishes to you all,
Barbara
New Resources
On the PLP website PLP Resources
(NB Many resources are also on the Minimus website)
Thank you to all who created resources.
New Minimus Website
Helen Forte has created a new Minimus website http://www.minimuslatin.co.uk/ where there are lots of lovely ideas and resources, plus the Minimus Et Cetera range of products.
Mythology Competition 2020
The full report can be found here:
https://www.primarylatinproject.org/post/plp-mythology-competition-results
Many new schools and individuals entered this year. As always, we are indebted to the Jowett Trust for a generous grant to cover the costs of the competition, to our organiser, Catherine Tildesley, to our judges and to Rachael Jones, PLP’s administrator, for sending out all the prizes.
Myths for 2021 will be: Key Stage 2 Pandora’s Box; Key Stage 3 Odysseus and the Sirens, available in the Minimus textbooks and at: https://www.primarylatinproject.org/audio-stories. Full details are on the Primary Latin Project Website.
1st prize – Arisha; King Henry VIII School (Level 1 Art 2020)
Grant Report
General Information for grant applications: applications are considered by the trustees of PLP three times per year. The next deadline is February 15th, 2021. Grants are awarded to state schools and range from c. £50 - £250.
Grants can help support the purchase of Minimus textbooks, Teachers’ Book and CDs, plus dictionaries etc. Please note that grants are not awarded for items on sale at Minimus Et Cetera.
Since the last Newsletter, I am delighted to report that fifteen schools have received PLP grants. They are: Browick Primary and Nursery School, Norfolk; Longthorpe Primary School, Peterborough; Medway Community Primary School, Leicestershire; Hotwells Primary School, Bristol; Highcliffe Primary School, Leicestershire; Riverside Primary School, Leicestershire; St Andrew’s C of E Primary School, Liverpool; St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, London; St Margaret’s C of E Primary School, Liverpool; Poplar St. Primary School, Manchester; Dixons Manningham Primary School, Bradford; Crawfords C of E Primary School, Suffolk; St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, Margate; St Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Primary School, Surrey; St Luke’s C of E Primary School, Formby.
The grant form is available on the PLP website. If you have any questions regarding PLP grants, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Other News
The Classical Association has put together a comprehensive list of resources: https://www.classicalassociation.org/
Vindolanda news: If you missed the story, have a look at a leather ‘Minimus’ found at Vindolanda on our News page ,https://www.primarylatinproject.org/post/roman-leather-toy-mouse.
The Vindolanda Trust has also developed an app to help children learn about life on Hadrian’s Wall. https://www.vindolanda.com/
If you need somewhere to stay near Vindolanda (and it is a stunning part of the country) have a look at: https://www.hadriansholidays.com/ run by Nigel and Catherine Jarvis. Catherine is a PLP committee member and a Vindolanda guide.
CREWS project (Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge).
The project explores the contexts of and relations between early writing systems. The resources have been developed for primary age children. All of the teaching materials are available for free on the website, along with a range of video tutorials and online workshops.
https://crewsproject.wordpress.com/2020/08/24/free-teaching-materials-writing-in-the-ancient-world/
https://crewsproject.wordpress.com/online-teachers-workshop-writing-in-the-ancient-world/
https://crewsproject.wordpress.com/write-with-crews/
There is a free CPD event: Writing in the Ancient World on Tuesday 17th November 2020 at 4.00 pm GMT (UK time) (finishing by 5.15pm)
Finally, Classic Graphic Novels (free online) https://booxalive.nl/klassieke-strips/
Contact details:
Jayne Treasure, PLP Director
jatpenallt@yahoo.co.uk
PLP on Twitter:
@PrimaryLatin
Minimus
Minimus on Twitter:
@minimus_Latin
Fri, 19 Jun 2020 13:40:38 GMT
Sat, 30 May 2020 10:22:15 GMT
The next deadline for a PLP grant has been extended to July 15th (not June 15th).
Do get in touch if you have any queries about applying for a grant.
Sun, 17 May 2020 13:54:09 GMT
Exciting news from Vindolanda - as illustrated by Helen Forte.
Fri, 15 May 2020 09:39:59 GMT
Many thanks to all the schools and individuals who entered the Mythology Competition this year - what a varied and creative set of entries they were! All entries have now been safely collated and sent to judges. Results to follow soon!
Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:03:24 GMT
Have a look at PLP's Resources page for a new selection of Minimus animations, worksheets etc..
https://www.primarylatinproject.org/useful-links
Fri, 17 Apr 2020 15:20:28 GMT
Are you home schooling and considering teaching Latin, using Minimus - Starting out in Latin? For a free Minibook (a short story about Minimus), please contact bmbellmini@aol.com