Elementary Greek? Should I, or shouldn't I?

[Melora in NC]

Elementary Greek (Koine) is sitting on my Rainbow Resources list, tempting me. I'd love to try it with my (then) 5th grade ds. We already have a pretty packed schedule, though, and next year we are starting TOG and CW Homer A, both of which look pretty time consuming. But Greek looks like fun!

If you have used Elementary Greek, I'd love to know how long you spent with it every day! I'm not clever with languages, but ds and I have been doing fine so far with Latina Christiana I (we're the "slow but steady" types!).


*I know what I probably Should do, which is wait until we get going next year and see how much "spare time" we have. But I really would like to have the summer to look everything over and prepare, if possible!

[Aletheia Academy]

by the Bluedorns. Have you looked at it? I just thought I'd suggest it because it looks like a way to study Greek without a big ol' program. That's why I chose it.

https://www.triviumpursuit.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16166&cat=256&page=1

[Melora in NC]

by the Bluedorns. Have you looked at it? I just thought I'd suggest it because it looks like a way to study Greek without a big ol' program. That's why I chose it.

https://www.triviumpursuit.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16166&cat=256&page=1

I'll go take a look! Thanks!

[Plaid Dad]

Just a note about the Alphabetarion: as the name suggests, it just teaches the alphabet. It's a way to get your feet wet with Greek, but it doesn't actually teach the language.

Melora, you know I'm going to tell you to go ahead with Greek. :thumbup:

[Beth in Central TX]

Me too. For a 5th grader, start with EG I. We are about to finish up with EG III. We started with the Greek Alphabetarion along with Prima Latina when my older boys were in 2nd & 3rd grade. If you decide you like GA, which we did very much, you could start with it, but I wouldn't spend the whole year on it. Next year we are moving into New Testament Greek for Beginners by Machen.

[Melora in NC]

Me too. For a 5th grader, start with EG I. We are about to finish up with EG III. We started with the Greek Alphabetarion along with Prima Latina when my older boys were in 2nd & 3rd grade. If you decide you like GA, which we did very much, you could start with it, but I wouldn't spend the whole year on it. Next year we are moving into New Testament Greek for Beginners by Machen.

Now yours is the kind of success story that I would love to imitate! The Greek Alphabetarion Does look nice, but I'm assuming that EGI would also teach the alphabet in the beginning? If we start EG and decide that we will continue with it, I would probably go ahead and get the GA for my dd, who will be a 1st grader next year. Since ds will be a 5th grader, I think I'd rather just move slowly through the early lessons of EG until we get the hang of the alphabet.

Did you continue with Latin as well as the Greek? And did your languages eat up the day? (I own the LCC, but I can't seem to let go of my many subjects!)

[Aletheia Academy]

to me! GA is better suited for my littles at this time, but EG looks like a good next step.:iagree:

[Melora in NC]

Just a note about the Alphabetarion: as the name suggests, it just teaches the alphabet. It's a way to get your feet wet with Greek, but it doesn't actually teach the language.

Melora, you know I'm going to tell you to go ahead with Greek. :thumbup:

Thanks, Plaid Dad! I really do want to give Greek a try, and I hoped I would find encouragement here! How hard can it be, anyway? (:lol:)

[Beth in Central TX]

Yes, EGI does introduce the alphabet, but it's done quickly over 2 lessons. My DH teaches Greek. Even though it's not necessary to start EGI, GA does build a firm foundation in Greek alphabet and phonics. Of course, an older student could go through the program in a few months rather than a full school year. EGI goes through the alphabet and sounds very quickly. DH thinks that GA provides a better schedule to learn Greek phonics. Our boys are very adept at saying Greek words because of their exposure to GA. This has helped in EG when they encounter new words and when they read Greek out loud. It really helps to be able to say the words out loud (or in your head) when you are translating. That's his soapbox though. I believe most people just start their older children out in EGI.

Yes, we've continued with Latin too. We are finishing up LCII this year and starting Wheelock's Latin next year.

Our school is definitely geared for language arts in the grammar and logic stages. With Greek, Latin, R&S grammar, and CW our days are very full. I don't put much emphasis on history (1/2 hr x 3 days a week) and science (1/2 hr x days a week) right now. Those subjects will be a priority in our high school years. At that point, grammar will take a back seat as we switch to reading Latin & English literature along with the NT in Koine Greek.

HTH!

[Pensguys]

I'll tell you to go ahead with it too! ;)

We're going to be adding it in next year too and continuing with our Latin. :iagree:

[Aletheia Academy]

I found your explanation of GA and EG1 helpful.

[Karenciavo]

I used it with TOG and Homer A, it fits http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0034.gif (http://www.ganja.co.uk/)
It takes 15, 20 minutes tops.

[Mama Lynx]

I really, really, really wanted to do Attic Greek; however, better the Koine program that is all laid out and easy to use, than the Attic program that Mom would have to adapt :D

The lessons are short. I mean, short. Short. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. My 6th grader sat down and did 5 days worth of workbook lessons on the first day, because he wanted to, and because they were short, and easy. Honestly, with a couple of years of Latin already under his belt, I think we'll breeze right through EG I.

I was going to wait until the fall to start my 4th grader (would be 5th in fall) on EG I, but I caught him trying to learn the alphabet with us, and so I tossed him his own workbook.

We will be continuing with Latin. My real challenge will be how to work in Spanish. But EG's lessons are short enough that they are no problem to work in.

[Melora in NC]

I used it with TOG and Homer A, it fits http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0034.gif (http://www.ganja.co.uk/)
It takes 15, 20 minutes tops.

Excellent! That is what I needed to hear. I haven't quite figured out yet how much time TOG is going to take every day, and that is one of the things that has made me hesitant about starting Greek, so I am really glad to hear that you use both and it all fits!

[Melora in NC]

The lessons are short. I mean, short. Short. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. My 6th grader sat down and did 5 days worth of workbook lessons on the first day, because he wanted to, and because they were short, and easy. Honestly, with a couple of years of Latin already under his belt, I think we'll breeze right through EG I.

.

We will be continuing with Latin. My real challenge will be how to work in Spanish. But EG's lessons are short enough that they are no problem to work in.


Thank you! Short, fully laid out lessons are Exactly what I want!
I am planning on adding Spanish eventually too (maybe 6th or 7th grade?), so it is good to know that others are planning the same thing.

[Melora in NC]

Yes, EGI does introduce the alphabet, but it's done quickly over 2 lessons. My DH teaches Greek. Even though it's not necessary to start EGI, GA does build a firm foundation in Greek alphabet and phonics. Of course, an older student could go through the program in a few months rather than a full school year. EGI goes through the alphabet and sounds very quickly. DH thinks that GA provides a better schedule to learn Greek phonics. Our boys are very adept at saying Greek words because of their exposure to GA. This has helped in EG when they encounter new words and when they read Greek out loud. It really helps to be able to say the words out loud (or in your head) when you are translating. That's his soapbox though. I believe most people just start their older children out in EGI.

Yes, we've continued with Latin too. We are finishing up LCII this year and starting Wheelock's Latin next year.

Our school is definitely geared for language arts in the grammar and logic stages. With Greek, Latin, R&S grammar, and CW our days are very full. I don't put much emphasis on history (1/2 hr x 3 days a week) and science (1/2 hr x days a week) right now. Those subjects will be a priority in our high school years. At that point, grammar will take a back seat as we switch to reading Latin & English literature along with the NT in Koine Greek.

HTH!

Thank you so much for this! Languages are not my strong suit, and if your dh thinks GA is the best place to start, I think we Will start there. I guess the alphabet Is pretty foundational!