Students on the Panther Team at Hutto Middle School are getting a head start on language. So much of the English language is derived from Latin. Experts say that more than 50 percent of the English language is derived from Latin and that about 90 percent of all of the two-syllable words come from Latin. Part of the Georgia standards for reading is that students learn Latin prefixes and root words. Teachers on the Panther Team are taking that one step further by offering Latin studies as an extension and enrichment to reading and science. Many of the scientific and medical terms come directly from Latin. The study of Latin words and prefixes will also help students later as they prepare for college entrance exams.