Ben's Program, Part 1, Latin

Yesterday I was at the mailbox and our neighbor asked what time classes started so he could drop in and "learn something." I told him Latin started in 15 minutes and he decided to opt out.

My greatest fear this year was Latin. In a classical education program, it is typically introduced in 3rd grade and I was very very tempted to send Ben to the local classical school to take it there. I'm glad I didn't, though I will have that option in the future and I may use it.

I expected wailing and gnashing of teeth when we did Latin every day. Instead, Latin just may be his favorite subject, and it is also the subject that his sisters eagerly join in on. It is very strange to hear your 2-yr old walking around conjugating Latin verbs. Why is Latin such a hit?

Classical Academic Press and their Latin for Children

The curriculum is brilliant. I read this review late in the summer when I was trying to make a decision on how we were going to handle Latin. I also knew the local classical Christian school used Latin for Children which was a great encouragement.

I've spent more money on Latin than any other subject, but it is worth it. Here are the tools we use and my review:

Latin for Children, Primer A: 
Latin is a foreign language. It isn't easy to learn. This is a textbook and frankly, as a stand-alone, it would be overwhelming. It is packed full of grammar (noun declensions, verb conjugations, gender, etc....) that I didn't learn well in English. It is tough. At the same time, it is well written, and teaches a Latin phrase in each lesson as well as vocabulary and grammar. Very first phrase: "In the beginning was the Word" from the Latin Vulgate.

Latin for Children, Primer A, Answer Key:
So until this year, I've thought an answer key was for sissies. But let's face it, I don't know Latin, and my brain is 30-some years older than Ben's. The answer key is a must.

Latin for Children A, Activity Book:
I bought this, regretted it, and now I'm back to being thankful. It is probably the least necessary of the tools we are using 1) The Primer A has at least one of the activities from this book in it for each lesson. 2) The website also has a few activities. Regardless, there are crosswords, word finds, mazes, and other word activities that give a little more vocabulary practice. Ben has enjoyed it. But other than the History Reader, which I didn't buy because we just don't have time in our day for it, this is probably the least critical piece of the program.

Latin for Children A, DVD & Chant Set:
The $54.95 price tag set me back. I buy everything used but it says something that you can't find this set used. (I did, but it was scratched and I had to return it and buy new.) This piece is brilliant. The CDs have the vocab chants for each lesson. The DVDs have the vocab chants done by living children. They have the grammar lesson taught by the teacher, and then a brief video clip...a fun story acted out, interviews with the kids, stretches...something. My kids live for this part. This set was invaluable for pronunciation.

Clash Cards:
Again, the price tag ($26.95 and no where used) gave me pause. I didn't buy these until we were two weeks in and I realized that this is a foreign language and we needed them. They have a variety of uses as games, and review. They are worth it.

HeadventureLand.com:
Yes, you can just use the web site with something else, but it makes more sense with the program. The website is brilliant. Ben plays the Clash Card game online (easier than the physical cards so we have both), he watches the clips OVER and OVER again. (Check out this sample.) He can track his scores and compare them to other kids.

So why Latin? Teaching this subject has increased MY knowledge of the English language. My understanding of English grammar has grown; Ben's has skyrocketed. He is learning English grammar simultaneously and he easily grasps the parts of language and gets grammar on a level that I never did. I admit to having a very utilitarian reason for teaching him Latin. My days reading hundreds of college admission applications taught me this: Students who take Latin ROCK the SAT Verbal section. I became very used to seeing perfect verbal scores. Just five weeks into teaching Latin, I know why.

Why in 3rd grade? A young brain is a sponge. Memorization is FAR easier at this age.Which is why I'm falling behind my children. WAY behind. (Again, the answer key is a MUST.)