Latin question

[jg_puppy]

I have just started thinking that maybe we should add Latin to our homeschooling. I have been reading many of the Latin threads, but they are making my head spin. For those of you with some experience with Latin what would you recommend for a third grader with no previous Latin experience? I took three years of Latin in high school, but I don't remember any of it. I would like for it to include an audio guide for pronunciations.

Jan

[Vanna]

Although I don't *love* Latin Primer, it's gotten the job done for the last 2 years. Ds gr5 is now doing Latin Primer II. I thought part 1 moved at a slow enough pace for my then 3rd grader and we've taken our time going through the word lists and lessons at our own pace.

I didn't study Latin myself, but I have studied Spanish in HS and college so that helps. The Super Pack as offered by Logos School (www.logosschool.com) includes the DVD of the teacher doing the chants with her class and introducing the lessons (ie. workbook activities), teacher's guide and worksheet booklet (I forgot what special name they call it), student wkbk and audio CD. It also comes with flashcards which I found to be too big and was happy to make my own out of halved index cards and place on a ring. This has enabled us both to learn the language.

I'm sorry I don't have anything else to compare it to. I have posted about Latin curricula, visited Paula's archives, etc., but for now I'm content to stay put.

Probably LP biggest "con" is that it's geared for classroom use so I had to think of ways to do the games (for example) for just one child.

[Heather in NC]

I love Prima Latina as a gentle introduction and then right into LCI. The DVDs make it absolutely painless for the mom to teach.

[Heather in VA]

I use Lively Latin for that age. It's very good, easy to teach, really helps flesh out the grammar and is very easy to adjust the pace for the student.

Heather

[Brenda in FL]

Another vote for Prima Latina. We started it when ds was in 3rd grade. It does include an audio cd with tracks for each lesson and then some. I never had latin, but found this easy to teach.

[ArwenA]

DD started LFC (Latin for Children) in 3rd and we are really happy with it. There are DVDs and chant CDs both of which are an excellent resource. Level A is geared toward 3rd.

[jg_puppy]

Is Prima Latin easy to teach even without the dvds? I am not sure if getting the dvds will fit into the budget. I like that Lively Latin and Latin for Children also include (or you can purchase) history as well. This is hard. My dd would probably like to skip Latin and just start French (she is a dancer and most ballet terms are French). Has anyone use the French program by Memoria Press.

Jan

[Plaid Dad]

Latina Christiana or Lively Latin would get my vote.

[cajun.classical]

Another vote for Latina Christiana. It's no frills but very solid. DS11 is halfway through LC2 and I am blown away with how much he knows and how solid his translations are. It is providing a fantastic foundation for future study. My third grader began LC 1 this year and is doing very well also. She did the first few lessons orally, and I slowly increased the writing. She's up to full speed now. I highly recommend Cheryl Lowe's articles on teaching Latin and Latin recitation on the Memoria Press website. They have proved invaluable for our studies. Daily recitation of Latin forms really cements the material.