Latin students at Midlothian High are creating an audiobook that is being used by Latin learners on every continent except Antarctica.
More than 30 students have volunteered as voice actors over the past year to record the online Latin storybook. The book is a compilation of 57 individual stories that follow a running plot about a young immigrant artist from North Africa trying to manage his aspirations and responsibilities while leading his patron’s family to safety after the earthquake that hit Pompeii in 62 C.E. About half of the stories have been recorded so far and can be accessed on this YouTube channel. All of the stories and related materials are available on this website.
Latin teacher Amy Petersen wrote the “Artifex (The Artist)” storybook. She said, “It has been the highlight of my career to see these stories come to life through my students. Watching their enthusiasm and skills grow through their participation is pure delight. The fact that they have taken this on voluntarily and kept the project going for over a year reveals just how amazing these students are. I’m one lucky teacher!”
Some students have committed to voicing major characters that run throughout the series, while others have enjoyed participating when they can with smaller roles, including animals and mythological characters. Midlothian High library staff members are supporting the project by providing a media lab and logistical help.
The recordings are a valuable learning tool not only for Latin students within Chesterfield County Public Schools but also for Latin learners around the world. Since the audiobook version started being published about a year ago, the site has received visits from most of the 50 states and numerous countries including Angola, Austria and Australia.
If you’re interested in sampling a bit of Latin, then check out the first story in the series, “Canis et Felis (The Dog and the Cat).”