Latin for Leaders: A–Z Wisdom for Ages 5–6

Read • Write • Spell • Pronounce • Translate • Apply. Includes Romance & Japanese translations, Japanese Brush Art, Cursive, and new Sign & Braille tools.

Alphabet Phonetic Vowels Pronunciation Drills Romance + Japanese Sign & Braille Wisdom Games

Quick Search (A–Z phrases)

Try: veritas, amour, valientes, Kirisuto

History of Latin

Origins (≈ 700 BCE)

Latin began in Latium around Rome, Italy. People there were called Latins.

Empire (1st BCE – 5th CE)

As Rome expanded, Latin spread across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East in law, the army, and learning.

Classical & Vulgar

Classical Latin = polished writing; Vulgar Latin = everyday speech that became French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.

Middle Ages (500–1500): Latin in church, schools, courts. Letters J, U, W added.
Science & Law: terms like habeas corpus, pro bono, plus plant/animal names.
Today: A large share of advanced English vocabulary comes from Latin roots.
Why Kindergarten? Phonetic, logical, history-rich—perfect for early leaders.

Alphabet: Classical Latin vs. Modern English

Latin originally had 23 letters (no J, U, or W). “I” covered J-sounds; “V” covered U/V; “Y” came from Greek. English later added J, U, W.

Classical Latin (23)

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V X Y Z

Modern English (26)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Phonics & Pronunciation

Latin vowels are consistent—one clear sound each.

A
ah (father)
E
eh (ten)
I
ee (machine)
O
oh (open)
U
oo (rule)

Featured Pronunciation — Potestas absoluta omnino corrumpit

Word by word:
  • PotestasPOH-teh-stahs
  • Absolutaahb-soh-LOO-tah
  • Omninoohm-NEE-noh
  • Corrumpitkohr-ROOM-pit
Practice:
  • Clap each syllable, then read smoothly.
  • Say it slowfast → with a kind-leader voice.
  • Translate aloud: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

A–Z Latin Curriculum with Romance & Japanese

Click a letter to filter, or use the search above. Each card shows Braille & Fingerspelling for the Latin phrase.

Side-Box: The Story of Romanian

Latin Foundation

Root: Vulgar Latin brought to Dacia (Romania) by Rome (101–106 CE). ≈ 70% vocabulary Latin-based.

Why It Sounds Different

Separated from the West; absorbed Slavic, Greek, Turkish, and Hungarian words.

Closer to Classical

Keeps noun cases like Latin. From Latin aqua: RO apă, IT acqua, ES agua, FR eau, PT água.

Art Project: Japanese Brush Work (書道 Shodō)

  1. Tools: brush, ink, paper, felt mat.
  2. Hold the brush upright; breathe before each stroke.
  3. Practice strokes: 一 (line), く (curve), 〇 (circle).
  4. Paint simple characters: 愛 (ai = love), 日 (hi = sun/day), 水 (mizu = water).
  5. Say the romaji aloud while painting; hang in the classroom gallery.

Focus on flow, rhythm, and respect for the art—perfection isn’t the goal.

Cursive Lesson (Plain Language)

Idea: “Cursive is writing where letters hold hands.”

  1. Start with basic strokes: loops, waves, tails.
  2. Connect pairs: a+t, o+n, l+e.
  3. Practice short words: cat, love, sun.
  4. Keep a steady rhythm (soft music helps).
  5. Celebrate neatness and flow, not just correctness.

Sign & Braille

Braille Converter (Unicode)

Supports a–z, 0–9 (with number sign ⠼), basic punctuation. Uses Unicode Braille patterns.

ASL Fingerspelling (letters-only preview)

This is a text-only teaching aid that shows letter tiles for fingerspelling. It is not full ASL grammar or handshape art.