Learning Latin with Frances R. Spielhagen

Royal Fireworks Press offers a Latin curriculum that you can implement for your child, even if you do not have any knowledge of Latin yourself.
This is a beautifully illustrated introduction for young learners that utilizes photographs of the Roman world.
Some student reactions to Ecce Caeciliae et Verus:
– It was really good and lots of fun.
– We enjoyed learning about the culture.
– It was easy enough and not too hard.
– After studying word roots, we know what to look for in new words.
– I liked the cultural bits.
Dr. Frances R. Spielhagen's Latin curriculum is the pinnacle of the natural inductive approach. Rather than being forced into translating Latin, children are challenged to absorb Latin, deriving meaning from the illustrations that go with the words and developing vocabulary and grammar gradually in the natural thread of language acquisition. The illustrations of young Caecilia and her family were drawn by Christopher Tice, and images of their domestic and public life are from our own library of photographs taken at archaeological sites by Dr. Thomas Kemnitz; his expertise has informed the depiction of every detail in the illustrations, and his explanations in the instructor manuals provide background and additional information.
Adults who have studied Latin will find the language familiar but the materials new and engagingly beautiful. Adults who have not studied Latin will be able to comprehend the language and imbue the child and themselves in the Roman world and its Latin language.
The instructor manuals provide the grammar and forms of the vocabulary that the child is learning. All of the books contain downloadable links to hear Dr. Spielhagen enunciating the Latin so that you and your child can hear the correct pronunciation.
Dr. Frances R. Spielhagen taught Latin for thirty years before becoming an academic. She is currently Professor of Education, co-founder, and co-director of the Center for Adolescent Research and Development at Mount Saint Mary College, New York.
Royal Fireworks Press offers a Latin curriculum that you can implement for your students, even if you do not have any knowledge of Latin yourself.
This is a beautifully illustrated introduction for young learners that utilizes photographs of the Roman world.
Some student reactions to Ecce Caeciliae et Verus:
– It was really good and lots of fun.
– We enjoyed learning about the culture.
– It was easy enough and not too hard.
– After studying word roots, we know what to look for in new words.
– I liked the cultural bits.
Dr. Frances R. Spielhagen's Latin curriculum is the pinnacle of the natural inductive approach. Rather than being forced into translating Latin, children are challenged to absorb Latin, deriving meaning from the illustrations that go with the words and developing vocabulary and grammar gradually in the natural thread of language acquisition. The illustrations of young Caecilia and her family were drawn by Christopher Tice, and images of their domestic and public life are from our own library of photographs taken at archaeological sites by Dr. Thomas Kemnitz; his expertise has informed the depiction of every detail in the illustrations, and his explanations in the instructor manuals provide background and additional information.
Teachers who have studied Latin will find the language familiar but the materials new and engagingly beautiful. Teachers who have not studied Latin will be able to comprehend the language and imbue the students and themselves in the Roman world and its Latin language.
The instructor manuals provide the grammar and forms of the vocabulary that the students are learning. All of the books contain downloadable links to hear Dr. Spielhagen enunciating the Latin so that you and your students can hear the correct pronunciation.
Dr. Frances R. Spielhagen taught Latin for thirty years before becoming an academic. She is currently Professor of Education, co-founder, and co-director of the Center for Adolescent Research and Development at Mount Saint Mary College, New York.
In addition to teaching Latin, this curriculum can be used:
- In third- and fourth-grade ELA classes to provide practice with Latin stems as prescribed by the Common Core State Standards
- In middle-grade world history/social studies classes as a way of understanding ancient Roman culture and boosting knowledge of Latin stems
- In fifth- and sixth-grade introduction-to-language courses, where Latin is studied in a ten-week period, followed by other languages
Some quotes from teachers:
"On the last full day of school, I gave the kids some choices.... Their overwhelming choice was Latin! Clearly this curriculum has some strong appeal!”
“By the end of Lesson I, when they got to the vocabulary page, all they wanted to do was build sentences. As Latin toddlers, they are full of enthusiasm and mistakes. But they are rabid for both the language and the cultural studies.”
Books in this series
- 1. Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Student Book
- 2. Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Student Book: Dyslexia Version
- 3. Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Instructor Manual
- 4. Ecce Caecilia et Verus Set
- 5. Ecce Caecilia et Verus Set with Dyslexia-Friendly Student Book
- 6. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Student Book
- 7. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Student Book: Dyslexia Version
- 8. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Instructor Manual
- 9. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Set
- 10. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Set with Dyslexia-Friendly Student Book
- 11. Casus Fabulae Romanae I: Graphic Novel
- 12. Casus Fabulae Romanae I Set
- 1. Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Student Book
- 2. Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Student Book: Dyslexia Version
- 3. Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Instructor Manual
- 4. Ecce Caecilia et Verus Set
- 5. Ecce Caecilia et Verus Set with Dyslexia-Friendly Student Book
- 6. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Student Book
- 7. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Student Book: Dyslexia Version
- 8. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Instructor Manual
- 9. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Set
- 10. Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Set with Dyslexia-Friendly Student Book
- 11. Casus Fabulae Romanae I: Graphic Novel
- 12. Casus Fabulae Romanae I Set
Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Student Book
Subtitle: Latin Volume I
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
Age: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ISBN: 978-0-89824-920-0
Order code: 9200
Price: $13.00
Class sets: 10 or more: $10.00 each.
Order code: 9200S

Caecilia, a young girl living in ancient Rome, introduces herself, her family, and aspects of her world—all in elementary Latin. Even young children can make meaning of the Latin through the engaging illustrations and photographs; this is reinforced by repetition of the vocabulary.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
Dr. Spielhagen says: "I followed a gradual release of forms and vocabulary, with explanations given on a need-to-know basis. I built on students’ prior knowledge—presumed, assumed, and elicited—in an effort to scaffold their learning of the new Latin forms."
This book also comes in a version that is printed in a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children with visual processing problems to read. Click here for that version.
Caecilia, a young girl living in ancient Rome, introduces herself, her family, and aspects of her world—all in elementary Latin. Even young students can make meaning of the Latin through the engaging illustrations and photographs; this is reinforced by repetition of the vocabulary.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
Dr. Spielhagen says: "I followed a gradual release of forms and vocabulary, with explanations given on a need-to-know basis. I built on students’ prior knowledge—presumed, assumed, and elicited—in an effort to scaffold their learning of the new Latin forms."
This book also comes in a version that is printed in a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children with visual processing problems to read. Click here for that version.
The iBook has additional features that make it special for students. Audio of Dr. Spielhagen enunciating the Latin on each page allows students to hear the correct pronunciation. Interactive chapter reviews include questions and answers about the content, with audio of both.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Ecce Caecilia et Verus Student Sample Pages:
Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Student Book: Dyslexia Version
Subtitle: Latin Volume I
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin; Dyslexia-Friendly Books
Age: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ISBN: 978-0-89824-824-1
Order code: 8241
Price: $13.00
Class sets: 10 or more: $10.00 each.
Order code: 8241S

Caecilia, a young girl living in ancient Rome, introduces herself, her family, and aspects of her world—all in elementary Latin. Even young children can make meaning of the Latin through the engaging illustrations and photographs; this is reinforced by repetition of the vocabulary.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
Dr. Spielhagen says: "I followed a gradual release of forms and vocabulary, with explanations given on a need-to-know basis. I built on students’ prior knowledge—presumed, assumed, and elicited—in an effort to scaffold their learning of the new Latin forms."
This book is printed with a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children to read. For a version of the book that is printed in a more standard font, click here.
There is also a set available that contains this book and an accompanying instructor manual (which is in a standard font). Click here for the set.
Caecilia, a young girl living in ancient Rome, introduces herself, her family, and aspects of her world—all in elementary Latin. Even young students can make meaning of the Latin through the engaging illustrations and photographs; this is reinforced by repetition of the vocabulary.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
Dr. Spielhagen says: "I followed a gradual release of forms and vocabulary, with explanations given on a need-to-know basis. I built on students’ prior knowledge—presumed, assumed, and elicited—in an effort to scaffold their learning of the new Latin forms."
This book is printed with a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children to read. For a version of the book that is printed in a more standard font, click here.
There is also a set available that contains this book and an accompanying instructor manual (which is in a standard font). Click here for the set.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Ecce Caecilia et Verus Student Dyslexia Sample Pages:
Ecce Caecilia et Verus: Instructor Manual
Subtitle: Latin Volume I
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
ISBN: 978-0-89824-921-7
Order code: 9217
Price: $25.00

The instructor manual will give you the essential vocabulary and grammar you need to guide your child through the first level of this Latin curriculum successfully. It is designed to put the onus on the child to make meaning of the words rather than on the instructor to guide translation. It also gives extensive historical and cultural background to the illustrations, which are meticulously accurate for the time period. In addition, it provides a set of questions in Latin with expected answers about scenes in the student book.
This book includes a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each of the student book pages, as well as the questions and answers for each chapter that appear in the manual.
The instructor manual will give you the essential vocabulary and grammar you need to guide your students through the first level of this Latin curriculum successfully. It is designed to put the onus on the students to make meaning of the words rather than on the instructor to guide translation. It also gives extensive historical and cultural background to the illustrations, which are meticulously accurate for the time period. In addition, it provides a set of questions in Latin with expected answers about scenes in the student book.
This book includes a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each of the student book pages, as well as the questions and answers for each chapter that appear in the manual.
The iBook has additional features for instructors. Each chapter includes audio of Dr. Spielhagen enunciating the Latin that is in the student book, which allows instructors to hear the correct pronunciation. It also includes audio of Latin questions and answers to review the content in each chapter.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Ecce Caecilia et Verus Instructor Sample Pages:
Ecce Caecilia et Verus Set
Subtitle: Latin Volume I
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
Age: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Order code: 9217S
Price: $32.50

This set offers the student book and the instructor manual together at a reduced price.
This set offers the student book and the instructor manual together at a reduced price.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Ecce Caecilia et Verus Set with Dyslexia-Friendly Student Book
Subtitle: Latin Volume I
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin; Dyslexia-Friendly Books
Age: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Order code: 8241SET
Price: $32.50

The Ecce Caecilia et Verus student book also comes in a dyslexia-friendly font. This set contains that version of the student book and the Ecce Caecilia et Verus instructor manual together at a reduced price.
The Ecce Caecilia et Verus student book also comes in a dyslexia-friendly font. This set contains that version of the student book and the Ecce Caecilia et Verus instructor manual together at a reduced price.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Student Book
Subtitle: Latin Volume II
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
Age: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Grade: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
ISBN: 978-0-89824-922-4
Order code: 9224
Price: $13.00
Class sets: 10 or more: $10.00 each.
Order code: 9224S

Cecilia and her twin brother Verus take a walk through the Roman Forum, looking at various temples and other important sites and discussing a number of the significant historical figures and gods that helped to shape ancient Roman cultural traditions.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
This book also comes in a version that is printed in a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children with visual processing problems to read. Click here for that version.
Cecilia and her twin brother Verus take a walk through the Roman Forum, looking at various temples and other important sites and discussing a number of the significant historical figures and gods that helped to shape ancient Roman cultural traditions.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
This book also comes in a version that is printed in a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children with visual processing problems to read. Click here for that version.
The iBook has additional features that make it special for students. Audio of Dr. Spielhagen enunciating the Latin on each page allows students to hear the correct pronunciation. Interactive chapter reviews include questions and answers about the content, with audio of both.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Student Sample Pages:
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Student Book: Dyslexia Version
Subtitle: Latin Volume II
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin; Dyslexia-Friendly Books
Age: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Grade: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
ISBN: 978-0-88092-824-3
Order code: 8243
Price: $13.00
Class sets: 10 or more: $10.00 each.
Order code: 8243S

Cecilia and her twin brother Verus take a walk through the Roman Forum, looking at various temples and other important sites and discussing a number of the significant historical figures and gods that helped to shape ancient Roman cultural traditions.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
This book is printed with a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children to read. For a version of the book that is printed in a more standard font, click here.
There is also a set available that contains this book and an accompanying instructor manual (which is in a standard font). Click here for the set.
Cecilia and her twin brother Verus take a walk through the Roman Forum, looking at various temples and other important sites and discussing a number of the significant historical figures and gods that helped to shape ancient Roman cultural traditions.
This book contains a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each page to ensure proper pronunciation.
This book is printed with a special dyslexia-friendly font that may make it easier for some children to read. For a version of the book that is printed in a more standard font, click here.
There is also a set available that contains this book and an accompanying instructor manual (which is in a standard font). Click here for the set.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Student Dyslexia Sample Pages:
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano: Instructor Manual
Subtitle: Latin Volume II
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
ISBN: 978-0-89824-923-1
Order code: 9231
Price: $25.00

The instructor manual will give you the essential vocabulary and grammar you need to guide your child through the second level of this Latin curriculum successfully. It is designed to put the onus on the child to make meaning of the words rather than on the instructor to guide translation. It also gives extensive historical and cultural background to the illustrations, which are meticulously accurate for the time period. In addition, it provides a set of questions in Latin with expected answers about scenes in the student book.
This book includes a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each of the student book pages, as well as the questions and answers for each chapter that appear in the manual.
The instructor manual will give you the essential vocabulary and grammar you need to guide your child through the second level of this Latin curriculum successfully. It is designed to put the onus on the child to make meaning of the words rather than on the instructor to guide translation. It also gives extensive historical and cultural background to the illustrations, which are meticulously accurate for the time period. In addition, it provides a set of questions in Latin with expected answers about scenes in the student book.
This book includes a link to downloadable audio files of the author reading each of the student book pages, as well as the questions and answers for each chapter that appear in the manual.
The iBook has additional features for instructors. Each chapter includes audio of Dr. Spielhagen enunciating the Latin that is in the student book, which allows instructors to hear the correct pronunciation. It also includes audio of Latin questions and answers to review the content in each chapter.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Instructor Sample Pages:
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Set
Subtitle: Latin Volume II
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
Age: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Grade: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Order code: 9231S
Price: $32.50

This set offers the student book and the instructor manual together at a reduced price.
This set offers the student book and the instructor manual together at a reduced price.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano Set with Dyslexia-Friendly Student Book
Subtitle: Latin Volume II
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin; Dyslexia-Friendly Books
Age: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Grade: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Order code: 8243SET
Price: $32.50

The Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano student book also comes in a dyslexia-friendly font. This set contains that version of the student book and the Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano instructor manual together at a reduced price.
The Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano student book also comes in a dyslexia-friendly font. This set contains that version of the student book and the Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano instructor manual together at a reduced price.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Casus Fabulae Romanae I: Graphic Novel
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
Age: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Pages: 50
ISBN: 978-0-89824-623-0
Order code: 6230
Price: $25.00
Website price: $15.00

The stories of Cecilia and her brother Verus are presented here in graphic novel form, providing an appealing alternative format for children learning Latin. This book includes the full text of the first two volumes of the Latin curriculum series: Ecce Caecilia et Verus and Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano.
Casus Fabulae Romanae, which translates to Roman Adventure Stories, teaches children beginning Latin in a way that is too fun to feel like formal language study!
The stories of Cecilia and her brother Verus are presented here in graphic novel form, providing an appealing alternative format for children learning Latin. This book includes the full text of the first two volumes of the Latin curriculum series: Ecce Caecilia et Verus and Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano.
Casus Fabulae Romanae, which translates to Roman Adventure Stories, teaches children beginning Latin in a way that is too fun to feel like formal language study!
Casus Fabulae Romanae I Set
Author: Spielhagen, Frances R.; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Latin
Age: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Order code: 6230S
Price: $57.50

Casus Fabulae Romanae I is an unusual book in that it combines two books into one graphic novel. As such, it requires the instructor manuals from both of the original books. This set includes the Casus Fabulae Romanae I student book, the Ecce Caecilia et Verus instructor manual, and the Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano instructor manual, all offered at a discounted price.
Casus Fabulae Romanae I is an unusual book in that it combines two books into one graphic novel. As such, it requires the instructor manuals from both of the original books. This set includes the Casus Fabulae Romanae I student book, the Ecce Caecilia et Verus instructor manual, and the Caecilia et Verus in Foro Romano instructor manual, all offered at a discounted price.

This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
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