Minimus Pupil's Book: Starting out in Latin [Paperback]

Barbara Bell (Author), Helen Forte (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Minimus

This elementary Latin course for 7-10 year olds combines a basic introduction to the Latin language with material on the history and culture of Roman Britain. Highly illustrated, the book contains a mixture of stories and myths, grammar explanations and exercises, and background cultural information. Pupils are drawn into the material as they read about the lives of a family living in a community at Vindolanda; the adventures of the children and the family cat and mouse provide interest throughout. As well as offering a lively introduction to Latin and classical studies, Minimus also has cross-curricular relevance. The material on the community at Vindolanda can be used to supplement studies of the Romans at KS2. The grammatical content helps to develop language awareness, and provides a solid foundation from which learners can progress to further English or foreign language studies. The Teacher's Resource Book provides support, particularly for non-Classicists. It includes teaching guidelines, English translations of the Latin passages, and additional background information, plus photocopiable worksheets.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English
Introduction: Latin

Book Description

Join in the fun with Minimus - a mix of myths, stories, grammar support and historical background! This pupil's book is a lively, colourful introduction to the Latin language and the culture of Roman Britain. A fun way to teach English grammar, it is ideal for cross-curricular activities.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521659604
• ISBN-13: 978-0521659604
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Children's Books > History > Europe
  • #11 in Books > Children's Books > History > Ancient
  • #14 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Latin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your child needs this book, January 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Minimus Pupil's Book: Starting out in Latin (Paperback)

I am a Latin teacher, grades 5 through 12. This is by far the best thing available for elementary students to use in learning Latin, The cartoons are well-designed and increase gradually in difficulty. My elementary students are able to trannslate the first story without any previoius Latin instruction. Grammar sections reinforce common English grammar concepts, like nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Culture of Roman Britain, as well as a soldier's life, is presented. Kids quickly become fond of the main character, Minimus the mouse. Classical roots to difficult English words, like patriarchal and infantile, are covered. Students are able to progress from Minimus to higher foreign language easily.

Parents without a Latin background, might want to obtain the teacher's book, which contains all the answers to the student book as well as reproducible masters for additional activities, suggestions for learning games and activities, and even a Roman recipe. The ISBN for the Teacher's Resource Book is 0-521-65961-2.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great fun as a supplement, poor as a starter text, February 23, 2010

By 

American Elm (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minimus Pupil's Book: Starting out in Latin (Paperback)

Caveat - I'm just a suburban guy who wanted to teach his kids Latin, but remembered almost nothing about the two years of Latin that I had in high school.

This was the first Latin book that I exposed my elementary school-aged daughters to, in conjunction with Rosetta Stone. The first chapters went well, and they were excited. About chapter 4, however, the scattershot presentation took its toll, and they were getting frustrated. The material just isn't organized in a way to methodically introduce basic Latin to a kid.

I put Minimus and Rosetta Stone on the shelf, and got William Linney's "Getting Started with Latin." After this simplified introduction to basic grammar (we took 6 months to get through the 132 lessons, spending about 20 minutes a day), I pulled out Minimus again. They enjoyed it MUCH more.

I've also got all 20 of the Minibooks in the Minimus series (each small book contains about 10 cartoon panels), as well as Minimus Secundus. My daughters enjoy them very much - but again, only as supplemental reading. Begin with the Linney book, or Primer A, and then give them Minimus once a week, to break things up.

In summary - by all means, use Minimus as a colorful adjunct to whatever Latin program you end up with. But don't use it as a primary text.

60 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adult beginners may read this too!, July 20, 2004

By 

MDtoMD "book addict" (Warren, Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Minimus Pupil's Book: Starting out in Latin (Paperback)

Many books on "dead" languages are very dry (BORING). I recommend this book as a first book in latin even for adults. You can get through the entire book in a few days, and get a running start if you wish to go further in your studies. If you dont go further you will have read an interesting book. Everyone I have shared this book with realizes they too can do this latin thing. They want more. Notice there was a demand from the people reading volume I for the publisher to print a second simliar book.
No one book can teach you all of latin. If this book does nothing else but change latin from a thing other people do to something you do... well it has served its purpose.
Its worth the money. You will spend more than this on entertainment where you dont learn a thing. Buy the book!