Plaid Dad and latin moms-help me choose latin for rising 6th grader-please!

[Kfamily]

Hi all,
My dd is in 5th and will finish Our Roman Roots this year. I have stuggled with which latin program to go to next. We also did Prima Latina in 3rd so I know we (me too) are ready to tackle the "real" program. I had planned on using Voyages in English 6 next year, the grammar section, to lay a better foundation of grammar to prepare us. We are using Writing Tales 2 now and will still be finishing it in 6th but this has grammar too. I had thought of using Latin Book One (free with yahoo group) because it seemed like a good fit for us but the group is not very active and I am nervous about going into it alone. We have been using the ecclesiastical pronunciation (spelling?) and I was hoping to stick with that. I have been giving Henle new consideration. My dd really enjoyed the reading sections in Our Roman Roots but does not care for latin all that much (too bad-LOL-we equate it with piano and math-no choice). I am not sure of Lively Latin. If the levels rise well enough I think she would enjoy it but I don't want to "play" around with latin anymore and I think we need to get serious now. Does that make sense? How far would Lively Latin take us? Is is meant to precede higher latin -like Henle? Dd loves the mythology and history so I think she would enjoy that aspect as well. Any advice is so appreciated.
Thank you!

[Wendy in ME]

I am far from an expert on Latin but I can say that after using LCI the first half of the year with my ds who does not enjoy Latin, Lively Latin is a God send. It is the "real thing" but made fun with lots of variety. My older ds who likes routine is continuing with LC and doing very well but he likes to do things the same way every week. I will say that what I do like about LL over LC is that it introduces the 4 principle parts of the verbs right away as well as the memorization of the first 2 forms of the noun and its gender. I think this is more thorough and will make things easier later. It also has the history and mythology rolled right in to mix things up a bit. As far as where it will end, I have no idea. We are just getting started with it and I hear that LL2 is almost ready so we will be set for a while.

[LisaNY]

I think 6th gr. is a fine time to begin Henle. I'd suggest the Memoria Press guide, since it moves slowly, allowing for lots of incremental review. My 7th gr. dd is using it, and she is doing very nicely. It is just the right pace for her.

Since you have time, I'd suggest you get a copy of Henle and begin using it yourself. It will prove to be a huge help to you in teaching the Latin.

I like the Henle/Lingua Latina combo. This way, you are getting focused grammar, and the benefit of contextual reading.

Here is the link to a thread that discusses it:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=82634#poststop

[profmom]

I'm considering the new Latin Alive program from CAP for my 6th grader next year. It includes reading and was written with this age in mind. Karenciavo
is piloting it this year, loves it, and can answer questions. You may have noticed her recent posts about samples being available at the site.

(I'm also still considering Latin in the Christian Trivium, but dh and I are thinking of going a more classical route, like Latin Alive. LitCT seems to include lots of Latin Bible translation, along with a story that runs through the volumes, but we'll already be translating the NT with our Greek studies.)

[Kfamily]

Thanks everyone for the help. I have heard about the Latin Alive and will look into that some more. I was wondering if anyone knew more about First Form from Memoria Presss. I am not sure if that is exactly what it is called but I read about it on the Memoria Press forums and I think Highlands Latin School uses it...maybe?
I am really considering Henle and adding Lingua Latina when we are further along. I have also been considering adding Lingua Angelica-my dd now 5 could at least absorb some of it. Maybe.
Thanks again.

[Plaid Dad]

I agree with LisaNY. Henle is not too difficult for a 6th grader who has a good foundation in grammar and some exposure to Latin vocabulary and roots. It's not a "fun" text at all, but it is thorough and you can always add in more reading with Lingua Latina or one of the translation programs from Memoria Press.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide! I'm always interested to know where people end up with Latin. :)