My first year Latin pupils completed a series of projects, the first of which was a Roman dinner party in the manner of ‘coquus –i’ below. The boys were introduced to Roman dining through a series of fun worksheets and, of course, through a sample of dishes made by yours truly. I prepared sweet wine cakes, cheese discs, honey biscuits, pates and grape juice, and rounded off the meal with dormice (aka marshmallow mice!).
In the middle term the boys studied some myths and legends and prepared posters and presentations on the Olympian gods and other deities. It was good for them to share their research with the class orally.
Discovery in Pompeii
As you and your team of archaeologists were digging through the ruins of Pompeii, you found a diary hidden in the rubble of the forum.
In groups of 2-3 choose five aspects of life in Pompeii and write one diary entry on each aspect. You must have at least five diary entries. Mention everyday events (e.g. family, friends, pets, food) and places in Pompeii.
Introduce where and how you found the diary, and whose diary it is. Write a conclusion to say how your diarist died.
I wanted them to research the lost city and present their findings in a more interesting way than just information under headings. We visited the school museum which holds a collection of classical artefacts donated by the British Museum in London. We looked at how the lamps, terra cotta statues, fragments of amphora and potsherds could be used to work out what ancient life was like.
The project worked really well, and the boys threw themselves into the research, writing and presentation of their diaries.
My next goal will be to theme these projects more constructively with the grammar sections so that all aspects of the ancient world (language and culture) tie in.