Can you tell me about Latin Prep?

[farmnwife]

How it is different from other Latin programs. and which books do I need starting out. I have a 12, 11, and 9 yo.

thanks,

[Laura Corin]

To start out the minimum is the text book (just called Latin Prep 1) and the answer book that goes with it. There are also optional workbooks with an answer book. Presumably, with three children, you'd need three workbooks and one answer book, unless you wanted them to work cooperatively - I've never used the workbooks as they didn't exist when I started.

 

This is a review I wrote of Latin Prep. Do ask if you have more questions:

 

Calvin has finished LP 1 and is on chapter 8 of LP 2. This is a

rigorous, secular, grammar-based programme designed for pupils aged 11

to 13/14. It introduces grammar and vocabulary systematically and

provides lots of practice in translating sentences Latin/English and

English/Latin. Each chapter also includes longer passages for

comprehension, translation and grammar work. The passages usually

concern Greek Myth or Roman history.

 

The layout of the book is enlivened by cartoons. The text is written

to the child, with some appropriate humour mixed in. One is sometimes

asked to translate ludicrous sentences, which Calvin particularly

enjoys: 'Master, the friends of the poet are murdering the inhabitants

with books' is one of his favourites from book 1. Absurd sentences are

of course harder to translate, as you can't guess them. There is a

word list at the back of each book and a pronunciation guide at the

front of book 1.

 

Calvin and I do most work orally - this is quicker and makes for a

nice snuggle time. We spend about 90 minutes a week, including

memorisation, and get through just under a book a year.

 

Pros: logical and fun, with review integrated into the exercises.

 

Cons: the noun cases are presented in UK/Commonwealth order, rather

than US order. This can be solved by having the student write out the

nouns in your chosen way as part of the memorisation process. Very

occasionally there will be a grammar point that could do with an extra

sentence of explanation. This is a rare occurrence and not something

to worry about.

 

Recommendation: an excellent programme with few flaws. I recommend it

highly for eager students aged nine and up, and most students from age

eleven. The books are available from horriblebooks.com or bookdepository.co.uk

 

Laura

[Susan in SoCal]

Laura gave you a thorough run-down. I'll just add a couple tidbits...

 

You asked how it's different from other programs. It's very different from other elementary Latin texts in that it combines grammar, reading and translating (both latin to english AND english to latin). This makes it much more similar to middle school & high school Latin texts. Another striking difference is the abundance of British (dare I say "sarcastic"??) wit within the instruction. This element alone makes this text appealing to my ds11.

 

The biggest difference (and Laura addresses this also) is that LPrep uses British ordering of the cases. All the other texts familiar to this board use the "traditional" ordering. This ordering is no big deal to some people and a very big deal to others.

 

Fwiw, we've only used the textbook (with answer key). We've not used the workbooks.