Latin Shirts

Translation: I am fine. How are you?

Though sometimes called a dead language, Latin is very much alive in our homeschool classroom. Five year old Robert and 6 year old Laurel are literally singing their way through Song School Latin, a simple,  entertaining, age-appropriate curriculum, and loving every minute of it. In fact, it is Robert’s favorite subject and very close to the top of Laurel’s list.

Robert's shirt. Translation: Hello. What is your name?

Some people have commented that Latin is too difficult for children.  But it is a foreign language, much like Spanish which is taught routinely in Florida schools.  Roman children mastered Latin.  Why shouldn’t my grandchildren?

Recently, the children had to make a presentation at the weekly gathering of homeschoolers which they attend. They chose to report on their study of Latin. Of course, I wanted them to have something wear other than a toga so I made these shirts for that event.

The children wore their show-and-tell clothing proudly.  The Latin shirts were a big hit with the other students, most of whom were older.

The text for the shirt designs was created in PE-Design using the Gothic looking font #9. At Embroidery Library, one of my favorite sites, I found a design of the coliseum.

Making a volcano.

It included a tourist riding a bike which I deleted in order to make room for the text. The stepping stones had to be rearranged in BuzzEdit2 www.buzztools.com for the same reason.

I know, I know—I have gone on ad nauseum (see? You probably know Latin already!) about my love affair with machine embroidery, most especially about the ability to personalize items so specifically. Where, I ask, could you find Latin text children’s shirts in sizes 5 and 6 except in your own sewing room?

In the woods pursuing nature study and art.

Generally, we follow the Classical Education model, which encourages the introduction of Latin and/or Greek at an early age. This is a supplement to the otherwise almost comprehensive and fabulous Calvert Curriculum which we are using.

Other “subjects” with which we supplement the program include sewing, shop, Bible and more comprehensive science, their mother’s favorite topic. She does incredible things with them and they are both enthusiastic little scientists.

But again, I digress from the topic of sewing. I will end my rant about Latin with some interesting and fun quotes on the subject from others who have embraced–or rejected–the value of this classical language. 

 

Laurel and Robert showing off their jellyfsh craft.

Status quo, you know, is Latin for ‘the mess we’re in’.  Ronald Reagan

If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found time to conquer the world. German poet Heinrich Heine

I liked Latin, I like languages, I liked all the myths, and the Roman tales that we were required to translate in Latin, and all these interesting people who were never quite what they thought they would be or seemed to be.     ballerina Suzanne Farrell

The philosophy of the school was quite simple – the bright boys specialised in Latin, the not so bright in science and the rest managed with geography or the like.   Aaron Klug

Poets that lasting marble seek/   Must come in Latin or in Greek.      Edmund Waller