Leading up to the celebration of Saturnalia, students researched Apicius’s ancient Roman recipes online, and then either made an original recipe or a creative “spoof” of such culinary delicacies as dormice, sow’s udders, peacock, and sea urchins. Two students even made “garum” sauce—the ubiquitously used condiment made from fish guts.

“All in all, it was splendid,” said 6th grade Latin teacher, Anne Smith. After learning about this winter solstice-pagan holiday and enjoying a Roman banquet, the students entertained one another with mock gladiator fights and dancing. Mrs. Smith concluded, “This is experiential learning at its best.”