I'm starting this year teaching the Charlotte Mason way. Trying it anyway and my dd really wants to go ahead and learn the latin. I have no clue what to use to teach with. I ordered a few latin word books from the library and have the Mango language program to use online through my library. But other than that, I'm flying blind. Anyone doing latin and recommend a series/program/curriculum? My dd is in 6th grade. I've looked at Matin Latin, First Form Latin and Power-Glide. I wish I had known I was going to do Latin when I went to the homeschool conference in April. I could have looked at things first hand... Help!
we are using Latin's not so tough by greek n stuff publishers. My boys are 6 and 7 though. The first book could be skipped since you have an older child, and the books really are very organized and keep latin simple so the child isn't overwhelmed at the sight of it. It may be too young for your dd but you could take a look at samples on their website. Oh, and it's not too expensive!
I can give you ideas, but I fell in love with the one I tried first, so it's the only one I can really comment on. I'm using the series at Classical Academic Press. We started with Song School Latin last year (which would either be super fun or super boring to a 6th grader, because it's really meant for about 2nd grade... we loved it though... we, meaning I did, too! :lol: ). If you get SSL, don't get the teacher's manual. It's exactly like the student manual, but with the answers filled in (and some of them are wrong). SSL is easy enough that a 6th grader could do a lesson a day and finish in 6 weeks (that's what we did). The next in that series is Latin for Children (3 years, sets A thru C). We're doing set A this year. It's designed for upper elementary and middle school. It assumes you already have a basic understanding of English (verbs, nouns, conjugations like love, loved, loves, has loved, had loved, will love), but otherwise is very self-explanatory. I suggest getting the entire bundle. The DVD and CD are essential. The workbook is essential. The activity book is optional, but IMHO it's worth it. The reader is something you don't start until halfway through the year, but I also recommend it. Latin Alive is the high school series that follows Latin for Children. You can start with it if you want, but I suggest starting with LfC instead. There is a FREE website full of games, videos, etc. that accompany each of these sets, and you can choose to play the games or watch the videos based on how far you've gotten in the curriculum. They're really fun. (www.headventureland.com) A side note: Something that's debated back and forth that you'll want to consider for ANY curriculum is whether you want to teach the classical pronouciation or the ecclesiastical. In short, C is what most colleges use, and E is what most churches use. If you've ever sung in a choir, E is what you probably learned. They're very similar, and the above curriculum series includes both in their bundles so you can learn both if you wish. I'm sure most include both, actually, but I don't know for sure. Others that you should consider and their reviews can be found here: http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/latincurricula.htm
Thanks for all the info! This gives me many to look into! I was checking out the Latin for children but can't find a workbook that you spoke of. I find a Primer, Activity book, DVD set, answer key and a History reader. No CD either. Any suggestions on where to find these? I looked on Ebay and Christianbook.com
Memoria Christiana sells a latin curriculum that looks impressive. Its called Latina Christiana (I think, the spelling might be off) they have one for younger children that is the first book, but split down if I recall correctly. Called Prima Latina Check into them both. If we were going to do Latin, it would a toss up between LC and Minimus.
It's hard on some of these curriculums to see really where my 6th grader would fit in. Almost too old for elementary but too young for jr. high work? Hmmm...
I looked at both of those, too. LC is Catholic if I remember right. I think that's why I didn't choose it. Minimus looks cool, but I like LfC, so I'm not switching for now. Sorry I confused you. Primer = workbook! The CD and DVD should come in the same DVD-sized box. There are 3 DVDs and 2 CDs in mine. (One CD for classical and one for eccl.) I don't really think the answer key is necessary, but you might. It's up to you. If you're learning along side her, you won't need it. You can refer back to the lesson for answers if necessar. If you're checking her work while she learns independently, you will definitely need it.
Yes, 6th grade is kinda weird. Most start with either 3rd grade or high school. LfC is good for a 6th grader, though. The books are leveled A, B and C, and they're written for appx 3-6 grades, but that does NOT mean that A is for 3rd, B is for 4th, etc. It means any of the books are for any child in appx. 3-6 grades. Thinking back to myself as a 6th grader, I think it would be perfect.
After I posted that I found the CD in the DVD set. Sorry about that. I was wondering if the workbook was the primer! lol Thanks for clarifying. I'm leaning towards that program after all the ones I've read about. Still thinking. Wish it could be cheaper instead of about $100. But I don't spend too much on school normally so it would be my splurge. I just hate buying programs and then they end up not working for us...
One thing I am doing, I'm exhausting every FREE resource availabe to me through my library for teaching Children Spanish before I buy anything for them. We check out Videos and DVD's, books and tapes and storybooks in Spanish, and I'm just noting what works for them and what doesn't. They all liked Muzzy, they enjoy any cartoon video in Spanish or with Spanish. Little Pim Smart Baby Hola Amigos Elementary Spanish First Fun with Spanish Muzzy One more I cant remember the name of Those are just some of the video series available through the library. In the fall, 6yo and 8yo will start doing Spanish workbooks also, to help them build on Spanish and get them thinking about the grammar. We're working to get everyone's vocabulary and enthusiasm for Spanish going strong and I'm trying to get more conversational in my own Spanish with them.
Yes, Latin is our splurge as well! I'm not alone in using this and thinking it's the best ... it's what all the private homeschool academies in this area use as well. You'll see on the site that they talk about Georgetown a lot. I don't live very far from there, so I thought it was really cool when I first noticed it on the site.
I have to share this story about Latin class and my dd, nearly 12. My daughter is doing a high school Latin class this fall online with Lone Pine Classical School. They also offer an elementary level class. It was highly recommended. We decided to go for the online class since I've upped my hours at work and there is only so much I can put together, teach, and oversee on my new schedule. We were late to decide to go with them and the class is full so she is auditing this class. She is actually doing a hybrid option where she can access an online help session, email questions, and have work graded. She can't attend the two live classes a week though just a recording. She went through orientation last night and I found her sitting in front of her computer, crying softly. When I asked what was the matter I discovered she was soooo sad she couldn't do the live class because it looked like so much fun! You just have to chuckle when an 11 year old cries because they can't get in a Latin class. LOL
