Havergal's Uncalendar, 2016-2017 Academic Year

Prudence:

That’s because it is. Latin is a rich riddle. Remember, your own language is puzzling too. You

just don’t see it. You’re too familiar with it. Learning Latin helps you to learn English grammar and the

grammar of your own language.

Simplicianna:

I didn’t know that. But I’m still worried about it being dead and dull.

Prudence:

Simplicianna! What more can I say? Think about your school yearbook,

Ludemus

. It was

once part of the original Havergal motto,

opera peracta, ludemus

(“when are work is finished, we shall

play”). Now we have the motto,

vitai lampada tradens

; it’s a line from a famous Latin poem and it means

“passing on the torch of life.” Can’t you see how Latin is really all around you, once you open your

eyes?

Simplicianna:

I’m beginning to.

Prudence:

Good. So it’s time for you to

carpe

the heck out of

diem

and discover for yourself why Latin

is such an adventure in learning.

Simplicianna:

Ok, I’ll look into it. I’m going to talk to that Latin guy to find out more. What was his

name again?

Havergal College offers three years of Latin which includes LVLBD Latin Level 1, LVLCU Latin Level 2,

LVLDU Latin Level 3 and LVV4U Classic Civilization. The goal of the Latin program is to teach students

how to read Latin. Students enrolled in Level 1-3 learn the grammar of the Latin language while

following the life of the Roman poet Horace. Horace lived at the time of Julius Caesar: it was one of the

most troubling times in Roman history, as Caesar’s own murder shows. Students learn some culture as

well. Then, in the last half of the third year of study, students begin to explore original Latin (i.e. Latin

that has not been adapted or simplified for textbooks). In LVV4U, students study classic civilizations

and gain a better understanding of how people lived in ancient times.