Amica mea Zee Poerio sends these tidings of good news to Latin teachers and students.

Dear Teachers, Parents, and Homeschoolers:

The Classical World has always been a source of amazement and inspiration for students at the elementary and middle school levels. In order to celebrate this interest, Excellence Through Classics (ETC) a standing committee of the American Classical League for Elementary and Middle School Levels K-9, sponsors the Exploratory Latin Exam (ELE) and the National Mythology Exam (NME.) These are age-appropriate national evaluations. A syllabus is provided and resources are available in order to prepare the students for the exams. This is an opportunity for students with interest in Classics, mythology, ancient culture and language to be recognized.

The ELE is appropriate for students in grades 3 through 6. While grammatical forms are not tested, students should be able to recognize vocabulary in grammatical context. Topics include: Animals, Derivatives, Housing/Life, Number Names, Art/Architecture, Entertainment, Mottoes/Expressions, Oral/Classroom, Body Parts, Family Members, Mythology, Roman Numerals, Colors, Geography/History, Nature, and Translation. The exam consists of thirty multiple-choice questions. Students in Grades 5 and 6 must answer ten additional questions from the general syllabus plus ten questions based upon the theme “Notable Men of Ancient Rome.” The deadline for applying for the ELE is March 1, 2008. This exam may be administered between October 1, 2007 – April 1, 2008. Results from all exams, regardless of administration date, will be sent in May 2008. Awards are certificates and participation ribbons.

The NME has been offered to students in elementary, intermediate, and middle school grades three through nine. By far the majority of students taking the exam are middle school students. The format of the exam is multiple choice and includes a thirty-question section on Greek and Roman mythology which is required for all students in grades five through nine. Students in grade six through nine are also required to answer ten questions from at least one literary subtest. Their subtest choices are: the Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid, African Myths, Native American Myths, or Norse Myths. The questions for each subtest are based on an epic focus upon only one book of the epic each year. The deadline for applying for the NME exam is Jan. 15, 2008. The period during which the test may be administered is February 25 – March 7, 2008. Awards are gold, silver, and bronze medallions.

Homeschoolers may apply individually or submit requests as an area homeschool group. For more information, please visit the American Classical League’s Excellence Through Classics website. Click on “order exams” to download a flyer with complete details and visit the pages on the National Mythology Exam and the Exploratory Latin Exam for sample questions.

You do not need to be a member of the American Classical League in order to administer the exams, however there are many benefits to ACL membership including discounts on materials ordered from the Teacher Material Resource center, grant opportunities, and newletters. If you have additional questions, please contact me at the e-mail address below.

GRATIAS, thank you.

Zee Ann Poerio, chair@etclassics.org