LatinSummer Program Immerses Elementary Students In Ancient Roman Culture

WJCC elementary school students are “doing as the Romans did” in the LatinSummer program, the largest of its type in the nation, taking place this year at Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School through Aug. 5.  The program, sponsored by Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools and Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute, is designed to introduce students to the language and culture of ancient Rome.

“Learning Latin teaches language learning, builds vocabulary, and aids in cultural awareness,” said Valerie DiPaola, WJCC’s world languages coordinator. “Latin is one of the best ways to teach students how to think and learn. We believe the LatinSummer program provides a fun, hands-on and educationally enriching opportunity for our youngest students to learn more about the words they use every day, and to develop an early appreciation for some of the world’s finest literature.” 

During the two weeks, students are taking part in classes in mythology, Roman culture, and the Latin language.  They also are participating in fun, hands-on activities that include carving inscriptions, playing language games, and creating Roman clothing.  Lessons are designed to enrich, to use Latin and classics to support students’ knowledge in other fields, and to help students understand how the ancient Roman world has shaped our modern world.  The classes are taught by an exemplary staff of high school and college Latin students selected from across the nation.

Top Photo  From left: Conor , Eli and Aiden participate in a simulated archaeology exercise, in which they searched for scraps of parchment, jewelry and broken clay pots.

Bottom Photo  Madeline displays a pot she reassembled from shards found during the archaeology exercise.