As the books
state, "Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware - this series has made Latin
the favorite subject of many homeschoolers...." Hard to believe? This
thorough program can help you teach your children Latin effectively, even if
you have no background in or experience with Latin.
Primers (texts) are divided into a
handful of different units, with a total of 32 lessons per book. Primer A
starts right at the beginning. Each lesson introduces new vocabulary words
alongside a Latin concept, starting with verbs and nouns in the first unit and
moving on to linking verbs, adjectives, more verb forms, predicates and
nominatives, and a bunch of other concepts. The lessons are short at four pages
each, except for the periodic reviews which generally have a couple more pages.
The lessons begin with a vocabulary list, a chant, and then a
discussion/explanation of the target concept. The last two pages hold a variety
of short exercises practicing the grammar concept using the vocabulary words. Primers
B and C build on the skills learned in Primer A, progressing through
more vocabulary words and more advanced grammatical concepts. All levels are
integrated with Shurley English as well, so it correlates nicely if
you are using that program.
The lessons
become longer in the later levels, but they follow the same straight-forward
format. Each level introduces students to 240 of the most frequently occurring
words in an engaging, easy manner with plenty of practice to help them retain
what they've learned. Helpful glossaries are included in the back of each
primer.
Paperback answer
keys contain copies of the student exercises from the Primers, but with
answers provided in bold font (includes only the pages with answers). A
suggested weekly teaching schedule is also included at the beginning.
To further
enhance the program, there are DVD/CD Sets for each
level, which show the author teaching the lessons to young students, explaining
the grammatical concepts in a clear, easy to understand manner. Boys and girls
in the elementary and middle grades perform the chants, while the text from the
book is displayed on the screen. This helps your child learn them as well as
the correct pronunciation. Each DVD set holds five or more hours of
instruction, on 2-3 DVDs. We've heard a lot of positive feedback on the DVDs,
which kids find entertaining as well as educational.
Audio
CDs are included in the DVD/CD sets and are also available separately. The
audio CDs feature Dr. Perrin and students pronouncing and repeating each
grammar chant and vocabulary words, in both Latin and English. All 240
vocabulary words at each level are chanted and sung. Both the classical and
ecclesiastical are included in the DVD/CD set, but you can now buy just the
classical or ecclesiastical pronunciations separately.
NEW FOR
2024: Content
from the DVD/CD Sets is now available in online format as Latin for Children
Streaming Video & Audio for each level. Chants are available
in mp3 files in your preferred pronunciation as Latin for Children Chant
Audio Digital Access. You will receive an email with access details to
the Classical Academic Press website. Online access is for the life of the
product.
These audio
files capture the teacher and students pronouncing and rhythmically repeating
each grammar chant and vocabulary word from Latin for Children Primer
A—first the Latin, then the English equivalent. These chants are an incredible
tool to use for fun memorization and contain all 240 vocabulary words chanted
and sung in the ecclesiastical pronunciation. Listen wherever you go! You
choose the Classical or Ecclesiastical pronunciation you prefer.
Activity
Books and History
Readers are also available for each level. The Activity Books provide
additional practice for each chapter through fun activities like crosswords,
puzzles, word searches, codes, mazes and other fun puzzles. These will
supplement and enhance Latin practice while adding a dash of fun for students.
The History Readers each offer a selection of stories about history, which are
keyed to the vocabulary and grammar learned at each level. The stories are
written in Latin, and each story includes a glossary, notes, and follow-up
questions (in Latin). Reader A shares stories from Greek and Roman history,
while Reader B covers Medieval history and Reader C covers the Age of
Exploration through 1815. If you are using Veritas History, you will be pleased
to know that the content in the readers parallels that from Veritas History for
each period covered, and that the readers share history in a
Protestant-friendly way.
Test
Packets are
available as a PDF download. The complete answer keys for the tests are also
included. This includes weekly chapter tests, unit tests, and even unit study
guides. This license is for 1-3 students and is valid for 1 year.
While this
program is certainly flexible, it was designed so that each level can be
completed in one year at the rate of one lesson a week, split up into at least
two days of assignments. While the program is suggested for use with Grades
3-5, with Primer A being taught in 3rd grade, it can also be used with older
children. If you want to start in 5th grade, you should still begin with Primer
A before moving on to Levels B and C.
We offer the
materials separately, in Packs, or in Mastery Bundles.
Packs include the student text, answer key, and DVD/CD set at that level, while
Mastery Bundles include a Pack (student text, answer key, and DVD/CD set) as
well as the Activity Book and History Reader.
Also
available for Levels A and B are the Clash Cards: Latin, Level
1 and Level 2 Flash Cards. Each card contains two vocabulary words on each side
of the card (divided into "day" and "night" words), with
Latin on one side and the English translation on the other. The Latin side of
the card contains the main word in Latin, with additional declensions,
conjugations, or definitions listed below. The English side of the card
contains the main word in English, with common derivatives listed below. Also
listed on the English side is the word's classification (i.e. noun, verb), as
well as the word's book and chapter references to match with the Classical
Academic Press textbooks. This set contains 240 vocabulary words that students
can use to quiz themselves, or they can practice their vocabulary skills with
other students by playing different variations of the Clash Game (instructions
for three levels of play are included). ~Melissa