Latin School of Chicago

online to receive badges. e simulation culminates in a 90-minute live-process event, resulting in either a team victory or an individual victory. By making use of the resources that come with being in the City of Chicago, teachers are further able to continually craft curriculum that makes students interested in taking Latin. Upper school students who experience Latin through the Classics in Chicago Project Week may go on an architectural tour and then are assigned to discover Roman and Greek architectural elements in particular neighborhoods. ey use a class Twitter account to share their discoveries. Meanwhile, graduating seniors participate in a culminating project at the Art Institute of Chicago in which they choose an artifact from the Greek and Roman galleries, then do a presentation for their teachers, peers and families in the galleries on a museum free night. "It's low-stakes because the students are well prepared, high-stakes because they are doing the presentation in a public place," Legendre explained, adding that museum visitors sometimes stop to listen to the presentations, unaware that the presenters are high school students completing an assignment. Ensuring that all students have the option to learn Latin is of critical importance to Landis, Legendre and Hellenbrand. But is knowledge of Latin still relevant? Latin is an ancient language, and students live in a fast-paced, technology-driven world. e answer is a resounding "yes," and the examples are everywhere. An extra-credit project called Living Latin encourages students to find representations of Latin in the modern world. "It is important to study the Classics because literature, architecture and social systems are based in ancient Greek and Roman ideas," Landis insisted. "What is a hero? What is beauty? ese concepts contribute to our worldview in an understated way." Certainly, Latin words comprise a great deal of the terminology common in fields such as medicine, law, business, science and education. In addition, a contextual understanding of the Classics can provide insight into contemporary political and cultural relationships and conflicts. It doesn't hurt the Latin faculty's cause that many of today's students, like those in generations before them, are fascinated with Greek and Roman mythology. Middle school Latin classes are often populated with students who are first introduced to the language through Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson novel series and JK Rowling's Harry Potter series, in which all of the spells are in Latin. To Legendre, empowering students to be active participants in shaping their course of study is another key ingredient in keeping a subject like Latin fresh and relevant for them. "In line with the objectives of the school's strategic plan, we give kids more choices," Legendre said. "During Project Week, the kids can go to a museum and look at art, or they can go to e Chicago Mosaic School to learn more about one of the predominant artistic forms of the ancient world. ey get to choose the plan." Victoria Lansing '16 still remembers opening her first Latin book in middle school. Even though the book arrived during the summer, she did not open it until the first day of class. "I'm not sure why, but it felt special somehow," she reflected. "I wanted to open it for the first time in class with everyone else." Victoria's dual sense of excitement and community surrounding the study of Latin was spot-on. "Studying Latin is not a solitary thing," she explained. "You have your own interpretation of what things mean, but someone else might have a completely different interpretation that opens up a whole new world for you." Victoria deeply appreciates the layers of meaning within the Latin language and that differing interpretations can be equally valid. is year Victoria is exploring her passion for Latin in greater depth through a Senior Project (See News & Notes, page 11.) She has chosen to write poetry in Latin and recite it for the school community during her Senior Project presentation. Victoria also intends to major in Classics in college. She encourages younger students to consider Latin as a course of study. "Try it precisely because it is not like any other language," she emphasized. "Whether you like history, law, medicine, gladiators or bloody storylines, you'll find it all in Latin." Class sizes are small, which helps students connect with their classmates, and develop a long-lasting rapport with their teachers. In Victoria's case, Legendre taught her first Latin class in middle school and teaches her now, as a high school senior who continues to accept the challenges that Latin presents. "When it's difficult, it's like you're in an abyss," Lansing said. "But when it's going well and you're discovering meanings and making connections, it's the most beautiful pool, and you just have to jump in." 29 But is knowledge of Latin still relevant? Latin is an ancient language, and students live in a fast-paced, technology- driven world. The answer is a resounding 'yes,' and the examples are everywhere. Latin Magazine » Fall 2015

• Cover