First Form Latin

[Krissi]

Anyone have any advice, ideas, or insight to share about First Form Latin? Those who have used the curriculum, that is.

[Kfamily]

We are using it and both she (dd in 7th) and I (the non-latin teacher :001_smile:) love it. It has been just the right combination of things we needed to be successful with latin. I love having the oral teaching ideas spelled out for me more and the extra practice sheets she needs that the workbook provides.

Edited April 6, 2010 by Kfamily

[Samiam]

We are using it with DS11. He is doing well, rarely gets anything wrong on in the workbook. Actually, he's taken off quite well and he's kind of surpassed me. I pre-read the chapters, and "kind of" get it..but then he does the workbook and he's always right on, whereas I feel a little lost. In hindsight, I might have purchased a 2nd workbook for myself to keep up.

[amyco]

Both my dc are using it. I ordered a separate workbook and test book for me and we all work together after I go over the material with them. This definitely helps, and I want to learn it too! They help me often. :D

 

We all really like this program. After finishing Prima Latina, Latina Christiana I and half of Latina Christiana II, it's been a good mix of review and new stuff for us. It's well laid out, the explanations are clear, and there is plenty of practice. We don't use the DVDs so I can't comment on those.

[rwjx2khsmj]

We are total new to Latin and are finding First Form to be a lovely experience. The program is well organized and easy to follow. There's lots of review but it's not so repetative that we get bored.

[Krissi]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Anyone used the dvd? If I have 2 students do I need 2 texts, as well as wb and test books?

[and4judge]

My daughter has used the books only this year and is on lesson 26. For the most part she has not needed any outside help with the material; it is well laid out. However, I did recently purchase the DVD's because I wanted to see how MP would teach the course, and I wanted to see how the recitation sessions were handled. I was definitely pleased with the DVD's and wished we had followed them the whole time. The course isn't incomplete without them, rather Mr. Moore is an excellent teacher and just his little insights are helpful.

 

Dana J.

[ncmomo3]

:iagree: with posters who say the format is well done. It is the most clearly (at least for us with little Latin experience) explained Latin that I have looked at/used.

[amyco]

Yes, each student should have their own textbook, workbook, and test book.

[Debbie in OR]

Love First Form! Ds 11 has been using it for almost 9 months or so. He does it independently and is doing fabulous. I keep saying this but I am blown away with how well and how quickly he can translate now. We add Cambridge once a week for reading practice and it has so improved since starting FF.

 

I don't know if we have any tips but in case you don't know, FF is a parts-to-whole grammar program so it breaks the grammar down into chunks and builds on that. You don't get the big picture with it. Cambridge would be whole to parts...you read the stories and then break it down. Depending on your child, one type may be more effective. We've tried both and have found the parts-to-whole to be the ticket for us. (Even though *I* had to let go of seeing the big picture first...I am wired for whole to parts in all areas of my life!)

 

We do own the DVDs but have not used them. However, hearing the pp comments on the DVDs, we may bring them out. We were apart of the FF on-line class in the fall and learned a lot from the instructor...all those little comments that get thrown out there when you are teaching a class that are helpful and not included in the student book!

 

I would have a book for each student. I am fairly sure you can photocopy the Student Workbook for other children in the home.

[A.J. at J.A.]

Love First Form! Ds 11 has been using it for almost 9 months or so. He does it independently and is doing fabulous. I keep saying this but I am blown away with how well and how quickly he can translate now. We add Cambridge once a week for reading practice and it has so improved since starting FF.

 

I don't know if we have any tips but in case you don't know, FF is a parts-to-whole grammar program so it breaks the grammar down into chunks and builds on that. You don't get the big picture with it. Cambridge would be whole to parts...you read the stories and then break it down. Depending on your child, one type may be more effective. We've tried both and have found the parts-to-whole to be the ticket for us. (Even though *I* had to let go of seeing the big picture first...I am wired for whole to parts in all areas of my life!)

 

We do own the DVDs but have not used them. However, hearing the pp comments on the DVDs, we may bring them out. We were apart of the FF on-line class in the fall and learned a lot from the instructor...all those little comments that get thrown out there when you are teaching a class that are helpful and not included in the student book!

 

I would have a book for each student. I am fairly sure you can photocopy the Student Workbook for other children in the home.

 

Can you give a link for the Cambridge curriculum? Also, did you use Roots of English or Book of Roots also by Memoria Press?

 

Thanks!

Angela

[siloam]

Can you give a link for the Cambridge curriculum? Also, did you use Roots of English or Book of Roots also by Memoria Press?

 

Thanks!

Angela

Cambridge is found here. The younger version is Minimius and Minimus Secundus. Written by a different author, but also published by Cambridge.

 

Another whole to parts is Ecce Romani It is purchased from Pearson, like the popular Science Explorer texts.

 

I think that Ecce Romani was written for Jr. High Students and Cambridge for high school and college. I am thinking about doing Ecce Romani 1 & 2 with a parts to whole program, then follow it up with Cambridge. Though I don't know if there would be enough time to finish all that, but one would have a pretty good grasp of Latin.

 

Heather

[rwjx2khsmj]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Anyone used the dvd? If I have 2 students do I need 2 texts, as well as wb and test books?

 

We bought one set of everything and use notebooks to complete our workbook work. Three of us are using it and while we snuggle close sometimes, it's worked fine.

 

We have the DVDs but have only watched a few of the lessons. My dc have a difficult time engaging with a DVD instructor. It becomes passive watching instead of participating.

[Debbie in OR]

Cambridge is found here. The younger version is Minimius and Minimus Secundus. Written by a different author, but also published by Cambridge.

 

Another whole to parts is Ecce Romani It is purchased from Pearson, like the popular Science Explorer texts.

 

I think that Ecce Romani was written for Jr. High Students and Cambridge for high school and college. I am thinking about doing Ecce Romani 1 & 2 with a parts to whole program, then follow it up with Cambridge. Though I don't know if there would be enough time to finish all that, but one would have a pretty good grasp of Latin.

 

Heather

 

Thanks, Heather, for posting the link. BTW, I didn't know the Ecce Romani was intended for a younger group. I may have to look into that!