Latin

Latin is alive and doing well at Westfield Friends School. The program begins with an introduction to daily life in ancient Rome. The principle text is “First Latin: A Language Discovery Program” by Marion Polsky. Students in the fifth and sixth grades explore history, mythology, culture, and basic language inflections. The approach also includes an oral-aural element as the classes become acquainted with a typical Roman family.

The principle text for seventh and eighth grades is “Jenney’s First Year Latin”, written by Charles Jenney, Jr. Over the course of these two years, students are expected to master most of the grammar presented in the first twenty-two lessons. Students will have completed three declensions, and six tenses in the active and passive voice. Jenney's approach focuses on first conjugation verbs. Students continue to explore history, culture, and the story of the Aeneid as presented in each lesson.

During the second marking period, students are asked to prepare a research paper appropriate for their grade level. In addition, students may prepare a visual segment to support their work and presentation.

Each year, students may prepare an art project to submit to the Philadelphia Classical Society’s Annual Latin Competition. Students may choose from a variety of mediums to best express their creativity and ideas about the ancient world. Whether a literary contribution, mosaic, model, sketch, or painting, all are welcome to participate. In March, the seventh and eighth grades are asked to complete the National Latin exam. Students who continue with their studies of the classics are eligible for college scholarships.