Outreach

To reach beyond our centerpiece LatinSummer and Workshop for Teachers programs, Ascanius offers smaller programs for both students and teachers. Through generous donations, we provide many programs, particularly for schools and organizations in rural and urban areas, free of charge. Select the tabs at right to explore our offerings.

 

Featured outreach program: LatinSummer New Hampshire 2008!

We invite students in grades 2-6 to spend a morning learning about Latin, Roman culture, and mythology! This exciting, FREE journey into the ancient Roman world will take place Friday, June 27, 2008 from 8:30 - 11:30 am on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire.

Within the areas of focus of Latin, Roman culture, and mythology, students will explore a variety of topics:

For more details, view the brochure. To register, mail in the form included with the brochure, or register online!

Sponsors: The American Classical League; Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute; Department of Classics, University of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Classical Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outreach for Students

General Information

Thanks to generous donations, our workshops are often offered free of charge to schools in rural and urban areas. In our workshops, elementary school students delve into the Latin language, Roman culture, ancient mythology, and English word study based on Latin roots. Experienced and award-winning faculty who have spearheaded the drive to incorporate Classics in the elementary grades serve as the instructors, working with a tried-and-true curriculum.

Our workshops, approximately 3-4 hours in length, help to strengthen academic knowledge and better prepare students to meet standards and to succeed on assessments.

Clients

The Institute and its faculty have conducted student workshops for the following groups:

Curriculum

Our workshop curriculum includes study of the Latin language, Roman culture, ancient mythology, and English derivatives from Latin roots. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively about Classics, and to discover the intersection between the ancient and modern worlds.

Each student receives a 20-page activity guide, which includes materials that will be used during the workshop itself as well as materials for further exploration at home. Click on the images below to download sample pages from the activity guide.

 

Schedule

Each 3- or 4-hour workshop consists of 5 sessions, chosen by the client from the choices below. Any combination of sessions is workable.

LANGUAGE (L-1)
Introduction to Latin Greetings
Students will kick off the workshop with a brief introduction to the spoken Latin language. Students will learn simple Latin greetings. They will introduce themselves to each other in Latin and take part in fun skits in which they use their Latin.

LANGUAGE (L-2)
Latin Alive!
Want to give your students a taste of the Latin language, beyond greetings? Want to harness a bit of Latin's potential as a language-skills builder? Latin Alive uses an array of engaging kinesthetic, tactile, and visual methods to quickly introduce students to major Latin vocabulary words. Students will have a blast as they explore these words. We then build students' confidence with language by leading them through actual Latin stories that they can read and understand!
Counts as two sessions due to length.

MYTHOLOGY (M-1)
Mythology Through the Arts: Mars/Jupiter
We will explore the deities of ancient Rome, focusing on either the god of War, Mars, or the king of the gods, Jupiter. We will attempt a character sketch of Mars/Jupiter based upon his representations in ancient and modern visual arts and music, specifically Gustav Holst’s The Planets Symphony.

CULTURE (C-1)
Roman Art: Mosaics
Students get a hands-on introduction to one of the most beautiful and complex types of Roman art, mosaics. Constructed with tiny stone or glass tesserae, these richly-colored mosaics, have survived for many years. After examining examples of mosaics, students make 100% edible mosaics!

CULTURE (C-2)
Roman Engineering: Roads
Thousands of years ago, the Romans built more than 50,000 miles of roads throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. These roads were so well constructed that they serve as the base for many modern roads. Students will examine how Roman roads were built, and will devise their own edible yet accurate roads using candy. All roads lead to Rome!

CULTURE (C-3)
Roman Banquet
Students will enjoy an “authentic” Roman banquet, feasting on such Roman goodies as cheese, olives, and grape juice! Further, students will be dressed in accurate replicas of ancient Roman clothing, such as togas, tunicas, stolas, and pallas, to help students understand what the Romans would have worn to banquets.

CULTURE (C4)
Roman Architecture
The architecture of the ancient Romans is one of the most lasting and influential elements of their society. From the dome to the pediment to the arch, we see examples of such architecture on a daily basis. Students journey through a visual exploration of major architectural forms. They conclude their trip by constructing a Roman aqueduct!

WORD STUDY (WS-1)
Common Derivatives
The perfect introduction to Latin's influence on the English language. Students learn important Latin root words that serve as the basis for numerous commonplace and complex English words. Through creative games and activities, students will learn the skills necessary to increase their vocabulary!

WORD STUDY (WS-2)
Anatomical Terms
Latin words for the body parts serve as the roots for many modern English anatomical and medical terms. Students will learn the necessary Latin words, using kinesthetic activities (such as piecing together a skeleton and tracing and labeling their own bodies!) to practice their knowledge.

WORD STUDY (WS-3)
Scientific Terms
The field of science has borrowed heavily from the Latin language. We will introduce students to common scientific root words and their meanings, which will allow students to deduce the meanings of challenging scientific terms. To practice their knowledge in a fun way, students will play the role of scientists naming mysterious (and not-so-mysterious!) animals and plants.

WORD STUDY (WS-4)
Prefixes
A knowledge and understanding of prefixes can be the key to understanding the meanings of many English words. Latin prepositions serve as the roots for a great number of prefixes. Students will learn and practice the Latin prepositions through games and activities. They then will explore new English words derived from their newfound Latin vocabulary.

WORD STUDY (WS-5)
Numerical Terms
The Latin numbers are at the root of the number systems in many different languages, including English. Through songs and activities, students will learn the Latin numbers from 1-10, 100, and 1000. Students then will explore the meaning of English words derived from these Latin numbers, and complete a hands-on project solidifying and utilizing their new knowledge.

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Outreach for Teachers

Semi-Annual Workshop for Teachers

The Institute conducts a semi-annual Workshop for Teachers. Click the "Teacher Workshops" link above for more details.

Presentations and Inservices

The Institute offers a variety of award-winning presentations for educators. Representatives of the Institute are available to speak at conferences, both about the LatinSummer program and the benefits of learning about the classical world on the elementary school level. In addition, they can provide in-services for teachers. These inservices can be tailored to the client's needs but also focus on integrating Classical Studies into the elementary and middle school curriculum. We can also train teachers to present our programming to their own students. The presenters come to all sessions prepared with PowerPoint presentations, useful handouts, sample publications, giveaways, time for breakout sessions and Q&A periods, and a high level of enthusiasm. Participants will leave the presentations or inservices with great ideas that they can use immediately in the classroom.

 

Previous Presentations and Inservices:

 

Cost for Teacher Inservices:

In general there is no charge for presentations by our faculty and staff at conferences. However there is a charge for teacher inservices conducted by our faculty and staff. We will work with your school to ensure that these inservices are affordable; in particular we offer discounts for schools in rural or urban areas.

Modeling Opportunities

Those individuals who are interested in modeling (or simply visiting) our centerpiece student program, LatinSummer, or our Workshop for Teachers, are invited to visit. Visitors to the programs will be treated to refreshments, a tour of the Institute, and, of course, the opportunity to observe classes and activities in action. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Institute. Teachers interested in learning about Classical Studies in the elementary school in a way that is more comprehensive and intense should consider attending the Workshop for Teachers.

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©2008 Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute
The Youth Classics Institute | P.O. Box 188, Alton Bay, NH 03810 U.S.A. | email: info@ascaniusyci.org | phone: (866) 933-9466 | fax: (270) 423-2349