Policy and Guidelines for teaching Latin and Classical Studies

Transcription

1 Policy and Guidelines for teaching Latin and Classical Studies

2 Latin and Classical Studies Policy Introduction All children study classics in Year 4 which follows Greek mythology, legends and life in ancient Greece. In Year 5 all children begin studying Latin developing their understanding of the language as they go into Year 6. Philosophy The main reasons for studying Greek myths and Legends is twofold: 1. Its intrinsic interest 2. Its capacity to increase children s understanding of themselves and the world in which they live The study of Latin language in Years 5 and 6 adds greatly to the children s knowledge and understanding of the ancient world. They gain greater insight into Romans - their way of thought and expression, their attitudes and values. In this way Latin gives children a richer appreciation of their own society & culture. Latin is not merely a language study but can contribute in the human and social area of experience. Classics Teaching The Aims: What children learn should help them to: Develop lively enquiring minds Use language effectively Develop tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life Understand the world in which they live Appreciate human achievement and aspirations Classics can make a contribution to the achievement of these aims. Especially it can: Introduce children to major achievements of the Greeks & Romans Introduce children to aspects of historical, political and philosophical thought Kindle their imagination through contact with the classical world & stimulate a response Develop an open & sympathetic attitude towards the past and the unfamiliar Develop a critical understanding of the world they live in Develop a European awareness through an understanding of their cultural and linguistic heritage Develop tolerant but not uncritical attitude towards customs & practices unlike their own

3 Develop powers of observation, abstraction & analyses of information, judgment and communication Enhance their command of language by requiring them to pay close attention to the relationship between concepts & the words and structures used to express them Provide an adequate foundation for the future development of the study of classics in future years The objectives A. To make a valuable contribution to their studies of language and literature to enable pupils to: Increase their understanding of the composition & structure of some English words in common use through an awareness of their classical studies Extend their range of vocabulary and give them confidence using it Develop their appreciation of literature through their contact with writings of different kinds and periods of history Understand some of the purposes of writing, other than literature used throughout the ages Respond imaginatively to what they read Improve their range of oral and writing skills B. To make an important contribution to the human and social areas of experience, to: Have direct contact with the material remains of other cultures Develop historical concepts relating to chronological sequence, cause and effect and the nature of evidence Become involved imaginatively with the lives of people in other eras and make comparisons between these lives and their own Acquire some knowledge and understanding of the sources of their own culture and society Develop their own political, moral and spiritual values by comparison with other such values Understand something of the functions performed by myth in ancient and modern society C. Moral judgments and religious views drawn from ancient Greek and Roman civilizations may provide children with valuable points of entry into some central questions of human life. Through discussion of: Roman attitudes to slavery The Olympian gods Gladiatorial contests

4 All these topics may help them to approach fundamental moral questions and to gain a greater sensitivity to and tolerance of the diversity of values and religious practices in their on world. Listening to and responding to Myth is a powerful and enjoyable experience in its self but many myths offer explanations of life and of the world. D. Children may be able to develop aesthetic appreciation through studying artistic achievements of high quality To gain awareness of the importance of the arts in society To develop their own creative skills To understand something of the effects of using different materials and media E. In their experience of the classical world pupils may be helped to: Understand some basic mathematical and scientific language and concept Learn how practical needs can generate technical developments Develop problem solving skills by considering practical examples Children who begin the Latin course are encouraged to see it as an extension of the Classical Studies programme followed in Year 4 and 5 Latin is a demanding subject which is capable of challenging and stimulating the ablest children. The children are provided with two prime aspects of learning: A sufficiently firm grounding for subsequent more specialised study A broad relevant and coherent experience which is of value in its own right Objectives Reading The children s access to the Romans is through what they wrote and Latin Literature. The reading of continuous passages of Latin should occupy a central role from the beginning of the programme. What children read aloud should: Provide a context in which to acquire, practice and extend an understanding of common grammatical structures Be sufficiently interesting on its content to motivate them to explore the meaning and read further Be set in the context designed to increase their awareness of the society, values and achievements of the Roman world

5 Speaking and Listening All children who study Latin should have : Listened to good examples of spoken Latin with accurate pronunciation and expression Acquired the skill of speaking passages of Latin aloud, confidently, fluently and with reasonable accuracy Understand the basic elements of Latin pronunciation including, syllabic length Begun to appreciate the importance of the spoken word in Roman society Writing Pupils need to respond in writing, they need regular opportunities to: Express in English, in their own words, the substance of what the Latin is saying Experience the satisfaction of translating the passage of Latin into good clear English Learning about the language The study of how the Latin language works should aim to enhance children s understanding of the nature of English and the language in general. Thus in looking at verbs, for example, and learning about tense, children can note common features of Latin and English. Providing they arise naturally and in context and be treated without undue abstraction some complex linguistic concepts can be introduced to the children in a simple form, quite early in the course. Words of Latin origin greatly enrich the texture of the English language. An elementary knowledge of Latin can extend the children s ability to infer the meaning of English words which they encounter for the first time and extend their own vocabulary. Minimus: A Primary Latin Course This course has been chosen because it provides the opportunity for children of primary school age & of all abilities to be introduced to the Latin language and to Roman civilization in the 2 nd Century AD in a non threatening way. With its colourful cartoon format, children quickly learn to translate simple Latin sentences. The pictures help the less able children to cope with the translation. Aims of the Course: To introduce children to the life of a real family that lived at Vindolanda near Hadrians wall and then in York at the beginning of the 2 nd Century AD

6 Children learn about what it was like: To be invaded by the Romans To serve in the Roman Army To be a wife or child of someone serving in the Roman Army To give children a taste of the Latin language & an appreciation of the influence of Latin in the development of English as another European language To help pupils understand English grammar and to extend their English vocabulary through the study of Latin. Most of the key parts of speech which have to be known at Key Stage 2 feature in the course Equal opportunities and Special Needs Activities within and outside the classroom are conducted in such a way as to encourage full active participation by all children irrespective of ability, sex or ethnic background. Accommodation is made for any child with special needs. In our areas of study equal emphasis is given to the roles of both men and women at all levels of society in Ancient Greece and Rome. Every effort is made to make sure that these activities are equally interesting to both boys and girls. Assessment and Record Keeping Continuous assessment is made of the children s progress in classical studies and Latin. A child s work is assessed with written comment; Positive comment is always aimed for. Examples of children s work are kept Resources The classical studies and Latin resources are all kept in the Latin room. Appropriate ICT software is available. Covering the Curriculum Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 In Classical Studies there is one lesson of 45 minute duration There are two lessons, each of 45 minute duration There are two lessons, each of 45 minute duration Reviewed & Updated February 2015