non sibi sed toti	Classics Teaching Resources

Remembering Grammar Remembering Verbs. If beginners in Latin have not been taught formal English, German or French grammar first, it is useful for them to learn the order of the persons very early in their Latin career. I used actions and rhythm in the learning. Point to yourself and say 'I', to someone else as you say 'you', and use your thumb to point sideways for 'he, she, it.' For the plural, do the same, but use both hands to point to yourself for 'we', to point to others in the class as 'you', and two thumbs pointing away for 'they'. Remembering Nouns. The cases are usually introduced one by one in the current Latin courses, with the ablative glossed in phrases (e.g. in silva) without explanation at first. There comes the time when they have all been introduced, and then it is very reassuring to the pupils to be able to recite the declensions, however unfashionable that may be. Try it and see. Cases The following mnemonics apply to the cases in their traditional 'British' order, i.e. Nom, Voc, Acc, Gen, Dat, Abl. They do not help learn the American order, and they do include the Vocative. Second Declension. The singular case endings spell the word '(m)useum' and the number 100. You can think of the 'm' as standing for masculine, which most 2nd declension words are. serv - us serv - e serv - um serv - i serv - o serv - o For the plural, strangely enough, it helps pupils to know that there were World War 2 fighters called 110s, and to imagine them coming down in the forum making 2 slicks of grease. Far-fetched, yes; but it works as a mnemonic. serv - i serv - i serv - os serv - orum serv - is serv - is Third Declension. What? What? Em(ma) is i(n) E(gypt). This makes the point that the 3rd declension Nom and Voc are not regular. rex rex reg - em reg - is reg - i reg - e  (D)es and (L)es (th)um(b) 1 bus each. Yes, it omits the Voc Plural; but you can invent an interesting tale about Emma and her two boy-friends! reg - es reg - es reg - es reg - um reg - ibus reg - ibus Top of page