In Latin I, we will seek to understand the most essential components of the ancient language of Latin through what we will call Nostra Experientulia Prima (our first little experience). These essential components include nouns and their various forms, verbs in multiple tenses and voices, the most frequent Latin vocabulary, the rules of pronunciation, and more. We will learn our Latin by looking directly at the texts of the many personalities who have communicated in this language for its roughly 2300 year history. Using this “textbook” of Latin writings throughout the centuries, we will work on developing our skills as Latinists. We will develop our core Latin skills throughout the year by writing our own original Latin messages and stories, translating passages, reading Latin at sight, completing grammar exercises, and having short Latin conversations. We will also be engaging with the orbis antiquus (the ancient world) through a variety of activities, including collaborative creative projects known as “opvs projects.” These projects include creating plays, movies, escape rooms, board games, and other creative products. Unit topics for Latin 1 will include  the legend and the legacy of ancient Rome, social classes and society, traveling the orbis terrarum and religion and science in the ancient world.