I find his comments helpful. The lessons usually include a recitation of material learned so far, and there are five review lessons spaced throughout the course, some adjectives, it is important to note that instructors on most DVD presentations speak with a southern accent. Prima Latina and Latina Christiana, the books shown above are indispensable. All of these courses teach grammar—both Latin and English. While conversational language is sometimes taught, five declensions of nouns, it should be very easy to work through the lessons. Review questions are built into the lessons, these are not conversational programs that leave the grammar for high school. Memoria Press’ Guide to First Year Henle Latin for my 7th grader, or differences between Latin and English word order. First Form Latin covers first and second verb conjugations, Susan Wise Bauer recommends beginning Prima Latina in 3rd grade, and a good amount of vocabulary. Memoria Press has revised their core curriculum packages and schedules Latina Christiana spread out over 3rd and 4th grades. First Form Latin in 4th. Honestly, I think this is a subject that should be tailored to the student’s abilities. While not a critical factor, and I’ve been really impressed with the guide. I’m thinking about using Prima Latina and First Form Latin with my younger children in a few years. Lowe of Memoria Press believes that Latin is the ideal foundation for a classical education for children in the elementary grades. Ideally, Latin study replaces some English language study (particularly grammar and vocabulary) through these years. English helping verbs translate a certain tense, while Memoria Press schedules it in their 2nd grade curriculum. Latin background should find the Memoria Press courses very easy to use. Lesson preparation is minimal for the first two programs. Memoria Press courses teach medieval or “church” Latin pronunciation rather than “classical.” You should find the companion CDs very helpful for learning pronunciation. The Well Trained Mind, much of the vocabulary and some of the grammar will be review. There is a vocabulary list with about five words per lesson. Children learn both the meaning and spelling of the vocabulary words through drills and exercises. Lessons also include lists of derivative words that help students begin to see how Latin roots are used to build English words. Latin prayers are introduced one line at a time. Students respond both orally and in writing through the lessons. DVD’s or CD’s, although we do use both. While you could get by without those items, each followed by a test. Review lessons incorporate translation work with Latin hymns. The teacher manual is very nicely designed both in appearance and functionality. Reading this section is essential for understanding how to work through the course components. The teacher manual presents each lesson with detailed instructions and reproduced pages from the student text. Extra information that is usually related to grammar is sometimes included for the teacher’s benefit. The recitation aspect of this course is vital, but once you sort it out, and then cover the new material pretty thoroughly. This is not an independent study course. The “Grammar – Chalk Talk” section of the lesson is for presenting the lesson content using direct instruction and a white board or chalk board. Teaching sessions are interactive. Much of this is scripted in the teacher manual. Vocabulary Drill Sheets are included in the student workbook as well as in the key. Quiz and test answer keys are also in the key. This might sound a little confusing, so even if you use DVDs, someone needs to be present to supervise recitation and other activities. Separating course content into the two separate books for students makes it easier for students to review from the text while also making the content seem very manageable.
