LATIN The Middle School Latin curriculum places a strong emphasis on the study of Roman culture, which has had an extraordinary influence on Western civilization: its politics, law, architecture, and value systems, as well as its language. Students are encouraged to respect the past, to compare the ancient cultures with each other, and to make connections with their own culture. In this way the curriculum reveals ways in which we have developed our modern values, beliefs, prejudices, and tastes, and also stimulates a critical assessment of ourselves. WHILE THE LATIN PROGRAM AIMS TO TEACH reading skills in Latin, this is by no means our only objective. Learning Latin gives students an understanding of how language works. Because Latin is an inflected language, the analysis of a Latin sentence provides an especially clear and rigorous understanding of the basic concepts of grammar and syntax. LATIN IS ALSO THE PARENT LANGUAGE of the Romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian). Moreover, 60% of English words and a majority of prefixes and suffixes are derived from Latin. Therefore, Latin students greatly improve their study skills across the curriculum. English reading comprehension improves significantly because students can correctly guess the meaning of previously unknown erudite English words, which are often derived from Latin. They can also make informed decisions about spelling, knowing not only how but also why many English words are spelled as they are. AS A LANGUAGE COURSE, the program teaches comprehension of Latin grammar and vocabulary through practice in reading Latin passages. As a cultural study, these translations develop students’ understanding of the social and political history of the Romans, Britons, and the Mediterranean world during the first century of the Common Era. Thus, this introductory foreign language experience is presented as the cross-disciplinary synthesis of the great culture and literature of ancient Rome, rather than an abstract linguistic system or merely as an exercise for developing mental discipline. THROUGHOUT Units I and II of the Cambridge Latin Course, model sentences and reading passages gradually increase in length and complexity. Word studies are designed to self-motivate learners to integrate growth in their writing and speaking skills in English. Teachers vary translation exercises through both independent and collaborative work assignments. Also, special long-range projects are designed to recognize multiple intelligences in student learning styles and interests. THROUGHOUT THIS TWO-YEAR FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE, students are held accountable to a knowledge and skill base, which facilitates their readiness for Upper School language courses. SEVENTH GRADE: The Cambridge Latin Course, Unit I, contains stories set in 79 CE in Pompeii, Italy. Students learn about daily life and customs in the first century CE by following an historical Roman family over a course of approximately ten years. They express their understanding of the content of the Latin passages through translation as well as pictorial illustration. Students complete projects such as constructing Pompeian buildings, writing slave diaries, and creating Latin valentines. EIGHTH GRADE: The year begins with a comprehensive review of the grammatical concepts and vocabulary mastered in seventh grade. A Hypercard software program is utilized as a tool to review the vocabulary. The Cambridge Latin Course, Unit II concentrates on Roman Britain and Alexandria, Egypt. Aspects of life in the first century CE in the Roman Empire such as organized crime, racial tensions, agriculture, and traditional and cult religions are topics of discussion. Students complete three major long-term projects. In the fall, students complete a project on Roman history. In the winter, the project requires research in Roman and Greek mythology and is offered in conjunction with the National Mythology Examination. In the spring, students complete a project focusing on science, technology, and arts in ancient Egyptian civilization. For each project, students utilize literature in translation. EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES: The Crossroads Latin Program enjoys the support of rich extra-curricular programs. With their Latin classes, students script Hypercard programs to make Latin Vocabulary Review games, grammar tools, and National Latin Exam review questions. The computer labs also furnish the students with CD-ROM resources on ancient civilizations and museum collections. In the classroom, students may also use the Perseus software program as a valuable research tool for Greek literature, mythology, art, and architecture either on the computer or on a monitor via the companion Perseus video disks. ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL LATIN STUDENTS participate in a Convivium Romanum (Roman dinner party) each spring. The tunic and toga clad students parade down the alley preceded by the chariot-drawn consuls of the XJCL Latin Club and enter the gymnasium, converted into a triclinium (dining room). Maintaining their Roman personae, the students recline and dine while entertained by their peers and guest performers from the Upper School. WHILE CROSSROADS STUDENTS encounter many experiential learning opportunities, the school is also actively involved in the California Junior Classical League (CJCL) and the National Junior Classical League (NJCL). IN MARCH the NJCL sponsors two nationwide exams for all Latin students--the National Mythology Exam and the National Latin Exam. Students are required to know basic Greco-Roman mythology as well as selected focus topics such as the Underworld. Although rigorously challenged, students have earned awards for their achievement. All Middle School students take the National Latin Exam, which focuses on grammar, English derivatives, reading comprehension, and culture. Crossroads students at all levels have won awards. THE HIGHLIGHTS of the JCL offerings are the conventions. Because the conventions are held at a different school every year, the students often travel to compete in academic, athletic, and artistic events, which include a Certamen (quiz-bowl) competition, swimming, track, volleyball, basketball, visual arts and crafts contests, performing arts competitions, a chariot race, and a catapult contest. Middle School students have participated in all categories of events, and Middle and Upper School students have brought home numerous awards for academics, athletics, and arts. THROUGH THESE ASSOCIATIONS, Crossroads students have been invited to several academic competitions. The UC Berkeley Academic Club sponsors a Certamen (quiz-bowl) competition in December that coincides with Cicero’s birthday. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Menlo School also invite Crossroads students to compete in smaller regional competitions.