Friday, August 19, 2016

Something's Blooming in Bloomington

2016 National Junior Classical League Report

Social Media and Editorial Assistant Connor Hart working
the B-C booth after Don and he set up on Wednesday.
This year marked the 63rd Annual National Junior Classical League Convention. It was held at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, from July 24 to July 29, 2016. Forest Hall was open to book exhibits July 27 to 29. Don Sprague and Connor Hart, having braved the congested traffic of Tristate-294 and monstrous trucks of Interstate-65, made it to Bloomington Tuesday night to represent Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. During their time there they managed a booth of books and buttons while teachers, students, and parents of classicists came and went.

Editor Don Sprague with student
Carlos Cerda who took home the 

B-C book bundle.
Traffic was steady and interest strong at the conference. Students seemed very interested in the wide selection of prose authors and poets to choose from in the BC Latin Readers. Many students were also thrilled about the Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein books, as well as the children's books authored by B-C president Marie Bolchazy. However, they were most enthusiastic to have a copy of Ubi Fera Sunt in their hands. Also, like last year in San Antonio, many of the students showed an interest in Greek language books, primarily for independent use.

We held a fish bowl drawing again this year, and had even more teachers and students sign up than previous contests. Student Carlos Cerda of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston, TX, took home the book bundle of culture resource books that included Classical Mythology & More, To Be A Roman, Latin Everywhere, Everyday, and A Roman Map Workbook. With his busy schedule sending him all over the beautiful limestone campus, his mother, Elizabeth Cerda, who introduced Carlos to Latin when she home schooled him, stopped by and said hi and picked up the bundle. Later, Carlos stopped by to meet Don and Connor.

NJCL proved a great opportunity for Connor, our social media and editorial assistant, to experience the fruits of his labors. Ruth Osier, whose class entry won Martia Dementia, stopped by to redeem her prize—a $100 gift certificate for B-C materials. She shared with Connor in real time how much her students enjoyed participating in the contest. Matthew Moore, who was the Roman Calendar winner for the month of June, also stopped by and chatted with Connor. (Note: Learn how Ruth Osier employed Martia Dementia as a class project. Check out the April 2016 issue of eLitterae.)
The Trojan Horse in downtown Bloomington, IN.

Did you attend NJCL this year? How was your experience, and what did you like? Will you be attending next year? We will! See you in Troy, Alabama!

-Connor Hart

Monday, August 01, 2016

July Answer for Roman Calendar

If you have not already done so, check the inside back cover of our 2015-16 Roman Calendar for a reproducible worksheet that asks students to engage with the mythology-oriented artwork included in the calendar.

For those completing the worksheet, here is July’s image, question, and answer.

Question: Four of the elements in this sculpture—the statue in Jupiter’s right hand, the scepter in his left, the eagle, and his clothing—were added in the 19th century. Why do you think each was added? Who is the statue in his right hand?

Answer: The eagle is a symbol of Jupiter, often associated with him in mythology and art. The scepter signifies Jupiter’s status as king of the gods. The statue is Victoria (in Greek Nike), goddess of victory. In Greek mythology, Nike was Zeus’s charioteer when he fought for control of Mt. Olympus; she was often associated with him. Jupiter is often depicted wearing clothing such as that seen in this sculpture—though the restorers who added it may also have been concerned about modesty.

Think your students know the answer to the August question on the worksheet? Tweet @BCPublishers the answer by August 25th for a chance to win five of our new buttons. We'll announce our answers, as well as the winner, at the beginning of September. Submit an answer for your class, or better yet, encourage students to participate individually.

To add your name to our mailing list for the Roman Calendar, email orders@bolchazy.com with the subject line "Roman Calendar"; be sure to include your name and mailing address in the body of the mail. Calendars are mailed annually in August.