The idea is really quite simple - build a unit study around Latin. If you're committed to a classical approach to education, Latin will be an integral part. Why not follow a natural and interesting path to incorporate geography, history, reading, spelling, vocabulary, and composition into that study? User-friendly lesson plans allow you to teach through a basic set of stories that are fundamental to classical education. What's unusual about this study is the suggestion that it be repeated three years in a row, each time delving deeper into the interrelationships - the repetition and review helping to internalize the stories and to develop a command of them. No doubt you're wondering what this set of foundational stories might be. Three books were selected to provide them. The Golden Children's Bible creates in children's minds and hearts lasting and glowing memories of the people and events of the Bible while at the same time familiarizing students with important passages and the poetic qualities of Scripture. D'Aulaires' Greek Myths is a wonderfully illustrated volume containing the universal stories that describe human character and the human situation. Famous Men of Rome memorably tells the story of the men who contributed to Rome's model and long-lasting civilization.
The heart of this program is a set of thirty detailed weekly lesson plans. Reading selections from each of the spines is the foundational starting place. The plans include words to know, expressions to know, facts to know, a Bible verse to memorize and Roman history questions. Also included are timeline entries, map activities, copywork, picture studies, art projects, and suggestions for Honors work. The Teacher Guide includes a "how to use this guide" section plus the lesson plans. Additional teacher resources include an answer key (history and honors questions), worksheets with answer keys, timelines, maps, and a pronunciation guide. The Student Guide has some of the same "how to" information plus weekly worksheets (based on the lesson plans with space to record answers) and memory work lists for each week. The Appendix provides worksheets, timelines, maps, and a pronunciation guide.
If you've been committed to a classical education from your child's earliest school years, you may be thinking "hmmm, we've already covered this." You're right. Much of this material is covered in other ways if you follow a typical classical curriculum. However, if you have an older child (upper elementary) and you've just decided to follow classical, this is a terrific "catch-up" program. It will give both you and your child a great start on the foundational information needed to continue with classical schooling. I can also see it being used as a family unit study approach to a classical foundation. Student - 89 pgs, pb, Teacher - 78 pgs pb. ~ Janice
