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

Barbara Bell (Author), Helen Forte (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2000 | Age Range: 7 - 11 years | 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

• Age Range: 7 - 11 years
  
• Paperback: 79 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521659604
• ISBN-13: 978-0521659604
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.2 x 10.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Children's Books > History > Europe
  • #10 in Books > Children's Books > History > Ancient
  • #43 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Learning

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 111 people found the following review helpful

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

By A Customer

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.

73 of 73 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

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

65 of 69 people found the following review helpful

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

By MDtoMD

Amazon Verified Purchase

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!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Minimus makes Latin fun December 16, 2003

By J. Shammah

Open the first page to Minimus, read the cartoons, and immediately feel as if you have conquered Latin! Having had no Latin background, I was intimidated to begin teaching my challenging 12 year old. Despite any initial apprehension, my daughter took to the book without fear. The clear colors in the illustrations aren't overwhelming to the text, and the humor is evident immediately. I did think that the text type made "l" and "i" a tad hard to differentiate. My daughter already claims to have learned quite a bit, even with just a few lessons. The other day while having lunch, she asked me a Latin grammar question! Now that is a book I like.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mus sum February 9, 2001

By A Customer

This is a delightful introduction to Latin for the younger set. Engaging, but not trivalizing, it managed to lead children into an understanding of Latin without overburdening them. It's also a fine source of background on Roman culture, and chock full of good stories.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun way to start learning Latin October 11, 2001

By Kori L. Carothers

I have a 7 year old daughter and wanted to lay a foundation of a language for her. So, we bought this book. She actually pulls this book out and wants to learn more about Latin. We enjoy the stories that go along with it! We like history as well, and it delves into the Roman culture at that time! Purchase it and enjoy!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Middle school Latin September 23, 2005

By Cameron Potter

I am developing a 5th and 6th grade Latin program at my middle school, and I have been delighted with the Minimus books. The kids really seem to like them, and I appreciate the bright colors and easy to follow story line. I am supplementing with more of a traditional paradigm approach to learning the grammar, but the books provide a great launching point for discussion and reading that is much more fun than just sitting around memorizing verb endings. Some of the material is very British, so I have to explain some of the references to my kids, but other than that it is a wonderful curriculum.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Minimus Pupil's Book: Starting out in Latin (Cambridge Latin Texts) November 6, 2006

By A. Ishida

My homeschooled 8-year old loves the comic-book format of the chapter stories and often reads ahead just for the fun of it. The pictures are lively and colorful, but not childish. The additional material -- myths, historical information, photos -- really do add a cultural aspect to his learning. There is more than enough new material in each chapter to keep him interested and learning!