Required Projects for Latin I Cetera

Meae Familiae Arbor Project

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This project is due on Lesson 78

For this project you will design your own family tree, using the correct Latin vocabulary for your relatives. To emphasize that each of them is your relative, you must then apply the proper form of the adjective meus, -a, -um (e.g., mea mater Kathy). Keep in mind that the adjective will agree with the RELATIVE, not YOU. Whether you are a boy or girl, your mother is MEA and your father is MEUS, etc. You are free to be as creative as you want in the design of your tree, but it must meet the following five specifications:

  1. Project must be no larger than standard letter size (8½ x 11").
  2. Project must have your name, your school, and the date written on the back.
  3. Tree must have the heading Meae Familiae Arbor.
  4. Tree must show at least three generations (i.e., must include grandparents).
  5. You must give each relative's first name in English (e.g., meus pater John).

When referring to some relatives, a Roman used different terms to indicate whether they were related through their father (paternal) or through their mother (maternal). The terms for his immediate family members did not require such a specification.

Family Vocabulary

Immediate Relative English Paternal Relative English Maternal Relative English
mater, matris, f. mother patruus, -i, m. uncle avunculus, -i, m. uncle
pater, patris, m. father amita, amitae, f. aunt matertera, -ae, f. aunt
soror, sororis, f. sister patruelis, -is, m. male cousin sobrinus, -i, m. male cousin
frater, fratris, m. brother patruelis, -is, f. female cousin sobrina, -ae, f. female cousin
avia, -ae, f. grandmother noverca, -ae, f. step-mother vitricus, -i, m. stepfather
avus, -i, m. grandfather novercae filius, m. step-brother vitrici filius, m. step-brother
proavia, -ae, f. great-grandmother novercae filia, f. step-sister vitrici filia, f. step-sister
proavus, -i, m. great-grandfather        

Grading Rubric

25 Points Uses the correct form of meus, -a, -um
Remember, the gender of meus, -a, -um must agree with the gender of the relative.
25 Points Uses the appropriate vocabulary word for each family member.
  • Each family member is labeled.
  • Maternal/Paternal vocabulary is on the correct side.
  • Shows at least 10 relatives.
15 Points Uses required formatting.
  • No longer than 8½ x 11 in.
  • Title is Meae Familiae Arbor
  • Includes student's name, school, and date of completion.
  • Shows three generations.
15 Points Uses correct spelling for all Latin words.
10 Points Creativity/Originality
  • Reflects that the student has invested time and effort appropriate for a test grade.
  • Contains at least one graphic.
10 Points Neatness/Organization
  • Easy to follow; legible writing; not done on notebook paper.
  Up to 10 bonus points for extraordinary creativity or effort
100 Points TOTAL GRADE (Test Category)

Revised 2008

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