After LCII - can we review my choices?

[Danestress]

I bet this has been discussed ad nauseum, but since I can't see the old board, I hope a few of you won't mind helping me with this.

My boys will be in 5th grade next year. We will finish LCII this year. I have no Latin backgroud myself, so I would like to move into a Latin program that provides lots of help for the teacher in terms of worksheets and answer keys - even if they aren't presented in worksheet form. I can't invent that wheel.

However, I don't want something too "Latin light." I am committed to this.

Can we review what the options are for us and what others have used in their third year of Latin Study? Thanks so much! Dana

[Mamagistra]

We are using Henle, and I find it just right for me and my dds (10 and almost 9). Memoria Press has a useful guide (http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/henleguide.html) that lays out a schedule for teaching and has answers. ;) If you want to work ahead a bit yourself, I'd say it's a good bet. :)

[Plaid Dad]

Latina Christiana is designed to prepare students for Henle Latin. Henle is definitely not Latin light! I know of quite a few families that use it successfully with 5th and 6th graders, but some people find it dry. You can see samples here (http://www.setonbooks.com/viewone.php?ToView=P-L1HS-11&Zoomin=1) that will give you an idea of what it's like. In terms of teacher helps, there is an answer key, and I know of at least two study guides - Cheryl Lowe's guides (http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/henleguide.html) from Memoria Press and one put out by Mother of Divine Grace (http://www.emmanuelbooks.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=1142), which moves faster. There is also a really helpful mailing list for Henle users (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HenleLatin/) that has its own lesson schedule, although you can belong to the list without following it. There are both adult learners and homeschooled kids on the list. Finally, Memoria Press has an online course (http://www.memoriapress.com/course/) for Henle.

If that all seems too stiff, maybe something like Latin Prep would suit? I haven't taught it myself, but the samples I've seen look great. Hopefully some Latin Prep users will chime in, too.

HTH!

[cajun.classical]

I was all set for Henle--even purchased it--until I got my hands on a friend's copy of Latin Prep. I'm really impressed with this program and I think it will be a better fit for my 6th grader next year. The layout is a lot more appealing for one thing.

We're currently using French Prep and Latin Prep is set up similarly--very solid grammar instruction, lots of translation practice, and a high fun factor. We're excited to use it.

Of course, I haven't started teaching it yet, but I'm impressed with what I've seen. There are several Latin Prep users on the board. Perhaps they will comment.

[TeaTotaler]

Ds (just turned 10) is still young. I purchased Henle and was all set to work through it with the MP guide but the small print just wasn't very appealing. Ds and I looked at the LP samples and we both agreed that it would be a good change. The first few chapters were a review but my rusty brain needed the review so we are plodding along. I purchased the workbooks and ds really enjoys having me work along side him and tries to compete for a higher score.

I don't think LP2 has workbooks so that is something to consider. If LC has worked well for you, Henle would be a good transition. I was just too chicken to jump right into it.

[frogpond1]

I'm really enjoying it.

[Hoggirl]

I have no Latin background, but I am managing to keep up. My ds does better than I do, but he works harder, too. :) Latin is one of my favorite parts of our school day b/c we are learning together. Ds will take the NLE (Introductory level) in March. LiCT is designed to prepare the student for that exam.
Cynthia

[WTMCassandra]

[QUOTE=Plaid Dad;19538]Latina Christiana and I know of at least two study guides - Cheryl Lowe's guides (http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/henleguide.html) from Memoria Press and one put out by Mother of Divine Grace (http://www.emmanuelbooks.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=1142), which moves faster.

Wow, isn't that the truth! I bought one of each, and I just looked at them this past week. MODG covers in about one day/lesson what MP covers in about a week! For this "new to Latin" mom, with students who will likely be 12 and 10 when we start Henle, the MODG seems waaaaay too speedy. But I like the charts in the back ; ). For everyday use, it will be MP and begging for help on the Henle list for me.

[WTMCassandra]

I must say, I saw Latin Prep in person at Crissy's house a few months ago, and it sure looks impressive and fun. I am still planning to go with Henle, but if we bog down, I might consider LP. I'd try to order from within the U.S., though. Buying from overseas is not appealing to me ($$$).

[gardenschooler]

We love Henle, and I was very surprised at that. I have heard that the pace of the Memoria Press guides is painfully slow. We're using MODG, and if I were doing Henle with a younger child, I would slow down a bit, but probably not as much as MP does. I'm using it with an 8th grader, and to us, the MODG is painfully slow. A week's worth of lessons are one new grammar concept, a teeny bit of vocabulary, lots of drill, lots of translations, and a quiz - so there is plenty of time to absorb, and it's not rushed at all. We only spend about 15-30 minutes a day on the Henle, following the MODG.

I just looked, and the MP guide covers Units I & II, which is only nouns and adjectives. If this is intended for a whole year, wouldn't it be pretty boring not to get to verbs at all? The kids do want to have some basic understanding of the Latin we're foisting on them, and this was one complaint mine had of LCI & II. (But we made it through). Even in LCII, they had at least a little work with verbs.

MODG (Latin I, Plan A) covers units I & II in 10 weeks, and then units III-V in 14 weeks (it continues on through Unit VII, for a total of 32 weeks).
I think even if you went at half pace, you could do Units I-V in a year and a quarter (or 48 weeks). I think for someone coming from LCI & II, then on to Henle using MP guides, it would feel like you're just stuck in grammar mode forever.

Henle really feels like a complete review of LC, just adding in more detail (and of course, the translations). We've found it very easy, which is one reason it's so popular around here!

I have looked at and envied the GP Latin materials. They are very appealing! I'm not one to try anything new, and I was not thrilled with the idea of having to cover up the cases in the book (different order of cases - a British thing, apparently), so we didn't go that route. But those that have seem very pleased - has there been a poll lately to see how it's going with those that started GP Latin this year? I do remember one poster saying that her ds was thrilled to conjugate 'I kill'. Of course, Henle has plenty of killing, too!

[Quiver0f10]

My 9th grader is using Henle and I don't dislike it, but when my younger kids finish LC II next year I am thinking of using Latin in the Christian Trivium afterwards.

[April in WA]

Is each volume meant to be covered in one year? What's the youngest age you would start this program?

Blessings,
April in WA

[Danestress]

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate your help.

I always assumed we would go on to Henle, but when I was looking at it on a comparison chart, it was for kids in high school, and while my children are bright, they arn't doing high school work in 5th grade! But I'm glad to hear that taken slowly and moving consistently, it's working for many of you - I'll order it early and spend plenty of time reviewing it before we start next year.

Dana

[Beth in SW WA]

Bump -- I'm hoping to hear more feedback on this subject. Thanks!