Latin sentence structure is so difficult for students, since they are used to word order as the defining characteristic.  I found it best to start right off with explaining how Latin doesn’t use English word order, and then repeat it almost every day (sigh).  I used this method of teaching word order for many years, and the students really got into it!  It’s a good way to start the class – even on the first day.  Students love to get up and move around, too.

Write a simple sentence in English: subject – verb – object – one word to a sign.  Have 3 students take one sign each and then place them in front of the room in English word order; move them around and ask the class if the meaning is the same as the first sentence.  Then do the same sentence in Latin, and show how moving the students around doesn’t change the meaning.  After that, I explain how to make individual cards for the students to manipulate.  Sometimes students asked to take the cards home to practice!

By Ruth Breindel, who taught Latin, Greek, Linguistics and Mythology at Moses Brown School for 30 years.