Curriculum

Preschool Uses Innovative Methods to Teach Math and Language

By Linda Jacobson — November 16, 2004 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

When the children at Plainview Preschool in Louisville, Ky., gather for story time, a popular choice is that old childhood favorite, Virent Ova! Viret Perna! For those unfamiliar with classical languages, that’s Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham, translated into Latin.

Because much of English is based on Latin, the school uses the ancient language to help pupils build their vocabulary. And instead of just memorizing words, Jeff Byrne, the head administrator at the school, says the children learn how words relate to each other through root words, prefixes, and suffixes.

Green Eggs and Ham in Latin

The children sing Latin songs, play games in the language, and use it for daily communication. The Latin instruction is inspired by research from the American Psychological Association saying that learning a foreign language at a young age improves overall reading and vocabulary skills.

The innovative preschool, founded in 1974, also uses piano lessons in the hope of sharpening students’ mathematics skills.

Both projects are being evaluated by Barbara Burns, a psychology and brain-science researcher at the University of Louisville.

Mr. Byrne hopes that evidence the approaches are working will encourage other preschools to try them.

Then, when the holidays are approaching, more teachers might be reading Quomodo Invidiosulus Nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem Abrogaverit, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

A version of this article appeared in the November 17, 2004 edition of Education Week

Events

Student Well-Being K-12 Essentials Forum Social-Emotional Learning 2025: Examining Priorities and Practices
Join this free virtual event to learn about SEL strategies, skills, and to hear from experts on the use and expansion of SEL programs.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Inside PLCs: Proven Strategies from K-12 Leaders
Join an expert panel to explore strategies for building collaborative PLCs, overcoming common challenges, and using data effectively.
Content provided by Otus
Teaching Profession Key Insights to Elevate and Inspire Today’s Teachers
Join this free half day virtual event to energize your teaching and cultivate a positive learning experience for students.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Curriculum 7 Curriculum Trends That Defined 2024
From religious-themed mandates to reading to career prep, take a look at what EdWeek covered in curriculum in 2024.
9 min read
Student with books and laptop computer
iStock/Getty
Curriculum Inside a Class Teaching Teens to Stop Scrolling and Think Critically
The course helps students learn to determine what’s true online so they can be more informed citizens.
9 min read
Teacher Brie Wattier leads a 7th and 8th grade social studies class at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School for a classroom discussion on the credibility of social media posts and AI-generated imagery on Nov. 19, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Teacher Brie Wattier leads an 8th grade social studies class at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School for a classroom discussion on the credibility of social media posts and AI-generated imagery on Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Courtesy of Dylan Singleton/University of Maryland
Curriculum Inside the Effort to Shed Light on Districts' Curriculum Choices
Few states make the information easily searchable.
4 min read
Image of a U.S. map with conceptual data points.
iStock/Getty
Curriculum Texas Students May Soon Be Reading Bible Stories in English Classes
The state has advanced a controversial curriculum that includes Christian teachings in K-5 lessons.
5 min read
A Texas flag is displayed in an elementary school in Murphy, Texas, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
A Texas flag is displayed in an elementary school in Murphy, Texas, in 2020.
LM Otero/AP