Looking ahead at Latin...recommendations? [Archive] - The Well-Trained Mind Forums (aka Hive Mind)

Jules in MI

01-19-2008, 10:49 AM

My son will be in 3rd grade next year and I'd like him to begin Latin. The WTM suggests Prima Latina, is that the best one? Is there a popular curriculum that everyone here uses?

profmom

01-19-2008, 10:56 AM

There are new Latin curricula since WTM was written, but we used PL in 3rd grade and liked it. It was gentle enough and using the DVDs helped me because I was a bit intimidated about teaching/learning Latin. This dd is now halfway through LC2.

WTMCassandra

01-19-2008, 11:40 AM

Ditto. I found I didn't need the videos for PL, but I have used them for LC1 and LC2. (We are on Lesson 8 of LC2.) Also, I didn't make my children do all of the writing at first--I had them answer orally for the first half of the book or so. Some people don't like the southern accents on the CDs/DVDs, but we didn't mind.

5wolfcubs

01-19-2008, 11:51 AM

Have you looked at the Latin poll results? I haven't since I voted yesterday...but I can highly recommend Lively Latin (http://www.livelylatin.com/) for a 3rd grader. Both my 5th grader and 2nd grader are doing very well w/ it.

Melora in NC

01-19-2008, 12:02 PM

My ds did Prima Latina in 3rd, and we enjoyed it and are now doing Latina Christiana for 4th. I was Terrible at languages when I was in school, and was very nervous about teaching Latin. We bought the Student book, Teacher book, and CD, and it was very simple. I would have been insecure about the pronunciation without the CD, but I didn't feel I needed the DVD.

Mama Lynx

01-19-2008, 12:14 PM

With my first set of kids I used Prima Latina/Latina Christiana.

With my second, I am planning on using Lively Latin.

While I liked Prima/LC at first, I got tired of the sameness of the lessons. It's mainly vocabulary with some grammar, but very little translation or explanation. We are happier with Lively Latin. With my older kids now, we are much happier with Galore Park Latin (but you won't want that until @5th grade).

I like Henle for myself.

amanda

01-19-2008, 12:40 PM

We are using Prima Latina with DD7. We are really enjoying it. I like having the DVD's but I don't think they are a necessity. The main reason I bought them was that they were 45% off. :p

Patricia in WA

01-19-2008, 01:51 PM

How old is your 3rd grader and what is his learning style? That is very important in deciding what to use. I have not tried Prima but LC did not work for us. Minimus has been great for 2 of my children so far (the 3rd is too young still). After Minimus we have been happy to go with Latin Prep. I have not tried Lively because I don't want to do all that printing, but it has been much raved upon.

HTHs,

nmoira

01-19-2008, 06:38 PM

I'm using Lively Latin with my 6yo, and she loves it. She did well with Minimus, but became frustrated with Minimus Secundus because she didn't get enough of what was going on with the case ending and conjugations. She's definitely a big picture child (as in craves the big picture). I'm not sure the whole to parts nature of Minimus was a blame, as she's doing fine with The Learnables Spanish. My best guess is that the issue was that there wasn't enough going on in Secundus to let her arrive at the big picture.

I'm happy with Lively Latin's gentle pace. She's happy with it's more structured approach and integrated Roman History.

Plaid Dad

01-19-2008, 08:54 PM

We've been very pleased with Lively Latin, too. Here's why I love it:

1. It's as close to self-teaching as any Latin curriculum I've seen for this age.
2. It integrates English grammar, making it perfect for people who want to do grammar instruction solely via Latin.
3. It includes history, and even a few art and character studies
4. It has lots of repetition and review.
5. It has enough color and visual interest to keep my dd happy. :)

ArwenA

01-19-2008, 09:51 PM

Latin for Children is a hit here. We started it in 3rd and Latin is really enjoyable. Totally different from using Minimus in 2nd.

St. Theophan Academy

01-20-2008, 01:13 AM

I would also say look at Lively Latin - we did Latin Primer for a while, which was fine, but required more work and motivation on my part. Lively Latin has been great - no work for me, and I love the amount of history, derivatives and art study that is included. Anne Marie

OceanBreeze

01-22-2008, 04:54 PM

Another vote for Lively Latin. My third grade dd does very well with it. It's a very engaging text.

Jenelle

Marie in Oh

01-22-2008, 05:07 PM

We did about half of Prima and hated it.

Mom2GirlsTX

01-22-2008, 05:19 PM

We did 6 months of Minimus in 2nd grade then on to LFC...my daughter loves LFC and ask to do it. We might switch to Latin Prep next year.

Beth in SW WA

01-22-2008, 05:40 PM

The dvd's are fantastic. We couldn't be happier. I don't know Latin -- at all -- so this is a great way for my kiddos to learn Latin w/o ANY input from me. They also meet w/ a tutor 1 hour/wk. We make about a 5-6 hour commitment to Latin each week.

Here is our schedule:

Monday: Watch dvd lessons, do workbook page, make vocab cards

Tuesday: Study cards, listen to CD

Wednesday: Same

Thursday: Same + Quiz

Friday: Same + meet w/ tutor 1 hour

They will do a high school level program next year. Hope that helps. Let us know what you decide :)

Linda...inOwasso

01-22-2008, 06:12 PM

I'm using Lively Latin for dd7 (2nd grade) and me (novice) and we're both enjoying it immensely!!

Kathy in MD

01-23-2008, 09:18 AM

I like that it's strong on grammar as well as vocabulary. Ds enjoys the new DVD's.

mamato3 all-boy boys

01-23-2008, 10:25 AM

I liked PL -- LOVED the DVDs, in fact. DS was doing well it when we did it consistently, but decided to stop using it and we're going to continue on with Lively Latin instead. The structure of PL was too draining (boring, predictable) for my son, and I could tell we needed a change . But, that is my ds.

So, we're starting Lively Latin now, and I think he gets a kick out of the fact that there is a Roman soldier on many pages brandishing his sword (he's all into swords and other male pursuits). And, I know he'll like the fact that there is variety in the lessons and an occasional project. I'm pleased at the tone of the book-- it is like Catherine is talking directly to the student.

mcconnellboys

01-23-2008, 11:26 AM

All those mentioned are good.

I used Latin Primer/Grammar with my older son, beginning in fifth, and still like it. I may use it again.

I've used Minimus and M. Secundus with my younger son, beginning in first. I currently plan on purchasing Lively Latin (if I can ever get a response from them on my questions) and using it next year. I'm not sure where I'll go from there.....

Regena

Lisawa

01-23-2008, 11:32 AM