Latin Learning and Mythical Magic

Fifth graders at Saints Cyril and Methodius School in Deer Park are loving their new learning as they prepare for the rigors of the Middle School years to come. They’ve hit the ground running this September with the usual academics, plus music, art, phys ed and more. With Spanish lessons twice a week and Latin twice a week, these pre-teen brains are absorbing it all and loving it! The smiles on their faces are evidence as their Latin teacher, Mr. McGerald, shares stories of his travels to Italy and fabled tales such as the legendary story of Agamemnon and Helen of Troy. While the students are soaking in the stories and the knowledge, the furthest thing from their minds is how Greek and Latin languages and literatures are fundamental to Western Civilization and Latin forms the basis of most languages. Yet countless studies have shown that learning Latin improves a child’s vocabulary and helps them understand the basis of the English language. Go learning!