A Little Help
We all mess up a little sometimes. Latin can be challenging, but we all know that you can do it. You're smart and focused, you can do this. Just keep trying. Seek a little extra help from Magistra or a 6th grader. It may be hard because you can't receive help at home, your parents may not be able to help you. But keep at it, it'll help you in the long run. But remember: "Errare Est Humanum". So, remember, take care where you step, step with great care and great tact, but remember that life's a great balancing act.
Ferte Auxilium!!
Dear Ferteauxilium,
I really stink at Latin. I just hate. It's boring. But I'm failing! I just can't do it! I barely know the difference between a noun and a verb, and I don't want to know! I have a F in Latin, and my mom says that if I get a C or lower, she is going to take my computer, phone, and TV privileges for TWO YEARS. How can I focus and understand Latin? I don't want to be in accelerated, all I need literally is a 80% or higher. HELP! SOS, What's a Puella? Dear What's a puella,
Often times, people find a subject in school boring because either they find it too easy, or they find it too challenging. Could it be that you find Latin boring because you find it too hard? Latin may be challenging for many people who are behind. As you had mentioned, you barely know the difference between a noun and verb. Fifth and sixth graders at Decatur already should know what a noun is and what a verb is; you're clearly behind. Magistra has plenty of handouts on nouns and verbs and she'll gladly give them to you if you ask for it. Finally, don't be afraid to go back and review previous chapters, even if it means you're reviewing the functions of each part of speech on a Chapter 2 level. It may seem silly, but sometimes it's comforting to go back and do something simpler. If you really want to, you can find time to do more Latin studying outside of school. Those minutes you spend on video games can add up, and take away from your precious time. Good luck and we hope you'll be able to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in Latin!! Vale, FerteAuxilium Dear Ferteauxilium,
Ever since third grade, I've hated Latin. I never enjoyed the whole thing with the "chapters". But ever since Magistra started a Latin Weebly, and this "Ferte Auxilium" site became accessible to us, Latin has started to look pretty cool! I want to do well in Latin and despite my previous slacking off, I want to go above and beyond in it. But, that seems impossible! Any tips? Thanks, Starting Over Dear Starting Over,
It's great that you have expressed interest in Latin, especially after ignoring it for a few years. Going above and beyond in Latin is very possible, if you put your mind to it. If you'd like, you can ask Magistra for binders from previous years (she has model Latin Binders for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade). The editors of this website did the same thing upon creating it. It may seem babyish, but it's actually very mature to recognize that you have been falling behind and you need help. This is a really good skill that you'll need in the future. Don't forget to take daily studying seriously and do all your homework. And of course, take advantage of every time you get to do extra Latin studying. Come to Latin Recess on Wednesdays, see Magistra for help before school, and check out books from her Latin lending library. You don't become a genius at Latin overnight. As Magistra always says, "You must create a greenhouse for your Latin skills to grow". Keep studying, and we know you'll do great. We believe you can. And if we can, you can too. Vale, Ferteauxilium Dear Ferteauxilium,
I'm really good at Latin, I'm in the accelerated group, but I just can't wrap my head around verbs. Verbs are just really hard for me but I just don't know what they do. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, I'm pretty sure puellae is an example of a verb. Bye, Confuddled Dear Confuddled,
It simply can't be that you are in the accelerated group if you DON'T KNOW WHAT A VERB IS. First, you should have learned that when you were in 1st grade, and in 3rd grade (or whenever you began here at Decatur). Could it be that you don't know what they do in Latin or you don't know how to use them in Latin (if you don't know what they are in English, we suggest that you see a guidance counselor). Talk to Magistra, because you will need to know what a verb is in order to move on, because verbs will be very important and are about to get even harder when you reach chapter thirteen. Verbs are all over this website, so feel free to look around and see what you can find. Go on a verb hunt. Good Luck! Vale, Ferteauxilium Dear Ferteauxilium,
I don't know where Magistra's Quizlet is. I was hoping this website would help me find it, but it didn't help at all. I'm REALLY frustrated! Sincerely, Sum Iratus Dear Sum Iratus,
We apologize for your inconvenience in finding Magistra's Quizlet. Our sole purpose is to help you, and if something goes wrong, we will fix it as soon as possible. Lucky for you, there are a lot of easy ways to find Magistra's Quizlet! The first way is to go directly to http://webspace.webring.com/people/nm/magistracohen/links.html. This brings you to Magistra's Latin Links where you'll find all of her Quizlet sets and other cool stuff. Another way is to go to www.quizlet.com/magistracohen.html. This takes you directly to the Quizlet site and will have a list of her sets. You can also get to her Quizlet on this website! Simply go to the home page and click on the button that says "Magistra's Latin Page". This will also take you to her Latin Links. Magistra's Latin Links/Quizlet can also be found on the Decatur Website (decaturclassical.org) under "Latin", on the classroom homework weeblys, and on Magistra's Latin Homework site: decaturlatin.weebly.com, where you can also find a link to this site. See, you can find Magistra's Quizlet on almost any of the Decatur websites. We hope this helps and apologize again for your frustration. Vale, Ferteauxilium |
Dear Ferteauxilium,
I just don't get it!!!! Why must Latin be so impossible?? Nothing in Chapter 10 seems to be easy! Why can't it be easier? I'm gonna fail my test and I'm under so much stress already! I need to get good grades for 7th and 8th grade, but I might fail Latin!! I'm really scared. PLEASE!! HELP ME, Stressed OUT Dear Stressed OUT,
I know exactly how you feel. A lot of people tell you to RELAX, but sometimes, you just can't. Take a deep breath and calm yourself down, that will help. First, we need to figure out what exactly you don't understand. Get to the root of the problem. Have you been confused for months or has it been a couple days? Seek Magistra or an extra dependable friend for help. Pay extra attention in class, even if you don't understand, listening might give you a vague outline of what's going on. But, are you really trying hard to grasp this concept? Are you giving up the second you don't understand, or are you really working hard to make sense of everything? If you are giving up too soon, then you might want to consider reviewing the chapter on your own, to see if you really can understand. If you still don't get the concept, speak to Magistra. From personal experience, I know that if you ask Magistra for a little extra help, she'll give it to you. A lot of 6th graders are willing to give you their time. Go to Latin recess and study there,too. You might feel like giving up, but you working for your future. Even if you do have that bad day, a bad quiz, a bad test, you always have a chance at a make up, a do over, a retake. So take a deep breath and keep trying. We're cheering for you. Vale, Ferteauxilium Dear Ferteauxilium,
I'm normally a very good student. I get all A's. But I just don't understand ablatives and genitives. I want to ask for help, but what if my classmates or Magistra think I'm stupid? Sincerely, Fatuus? Dear Fatuus,
Your're not stupid. Asking for help isn't stupid, it's smart. Studies have shown that children who ask the most questions do the best in school. If you really can't bring yourself to ask in front of the class, then ask Magistra in private. Have your parents send her an email or send her an email yourself! Talk to her in the morning or during lunch. But don't be afraid to speak out. You're smarter than you think you are. Vale, Ferteauxilium Dear Ferteauxilium,
I hate Latin!!! All my friends love it, but I don't. They all do super well, and I'm way behind. They always talk about Latin like the mythology exam and the Roman Banquet. They always get a bunch of awards in Latin at the end of the year and I don't. I don't feel like loving Latin just for them, but I feel left out and I'm kinda sad. Yours truly, Feeling Blue Dear Feeling Blue,
I'm sorry you don't like Latin very much. The truth is, it does help you a lot in other subjects like Literacy. If you really don't like Latin all too well, then you may not be getting the best grades because of it. Don't let your dislike of a subject let you get a failing grade in it! Keep at it! You may not like it now, but it may pay off in the long run if you decide to take another language. As for your friends, let them help you! Succeeding in a subject doesn't mean you have to like it. You may feel left out with your friends, but hey, Latin shouldn't be occupying your every waking thought. Talk to your friends about different things, or tell them how you feel. They may volunteer to help you, or they'll say they will try to include you in the future. And who knows? Maybe learning more about Latin will change your mind. And perhaps by the end of the year, because of your new found success in Latin, you'll have an award to call your own! Vale, Ferteauxilium Dear Ferteauxilium.
Latin is the best thing that every happened to me!! I love it so much! But my parents have said that I spend to much time on Latin. They say I should play outside or watch TV for some time instead of obsessing over Latin. Personally, I think that's dumb and ridiculous and I'm getting way ahead of all my other classmates by working a lot. What should I do? Sincerely, Latin vs. Parents Dear Latin vs. Parents,
You really must enjoy Latin, which is good!! You must be a fantastic student! Congrats! Do you spend your school hours buried in a mythology book or with your nose against your Latin binder almost all the time. Maybe then would be a good time to ease up. We promote studying and interest in Latin, but you may be slightly too absorbed. Your parents may think you're under too much pressure or that you're not paying too much attention to your other subjects, which is also quite fair of them to be concerned. Every once in a while, take your mind off of Latin or school and have a little free time. Run outside, go watch a movie, or jump on your bed (or whatever sounds good to you). Taking a little time off doesn't mean you have to quit the studying, but just have a little free time when you get the chance. Vale, Ferteauxilium |