Anyone NOT teach Latin?

[Guest]

I just can't get excited about it. Am I still a classical homeschooler if I don't? Anyone else?

[LoveBaby]

I don't right now. I may start it next year for 4th grade, but I'm praying about it.

[Mom2boys]

I'm not teaching Latin. I have purchased several Latin curriculums, but just can't muster the enthusiasm to actually teach it. We are going with Spanish because it seems much more practical to me, and it is a language I previously studied, so I am more comfortable teaching it.

 

I consider myself a "relaxed classical" homeschooler. :D

[Vanna]

...I did Latin using Latin Primer 1 and 2 w/ my oldest son (now 11yo) for 3 yrs. This school year I decided to switch to Latin for Children (w/DVD) and have all 3 dc start from level 1 w/ oldest ds "tutoring" them. I only see their work occasionally when he wants me to check something.

 

Of course you can be a classical homeschooler and not teach Latin :D. Maybe, down the road a few years, you'll find something that works for you and your children. I've never been sorry for putting things off that I or my children were not *ready* for.

 

Best wishes!

[dawn of ns]

I'm not teaching it but then I'm a Catherine and Harry Homeschooler, not a Classical homeschooler. :D

[fivetails]

No latin here either :)

[mamaof2andtwins]

I am not. I tried. I just couldn't add it in to our schedule.

 

Jennie

[Pongo]

Here is our Latin story.....

After promptly realizing I wanted a Classical Education when my oldest was then in Pre-K. We started K with the first 1/2 of Prima in 1st grade we finished the second 1/2. Because everyone knows I am not really a Classical h'ser if I don't teach Latin,wrong.

The only thing my 6yod remembered was the prayers, ALL of them. I had her listen to the CD in her room and she SOUNDED amazing. I decided to drop the books and do the same for ds and my third dd. They can recite and translate many Latin prayers, and I didn't have to teach a thing. This year my oldest is taking Latina Christina she is currently in 5th, she is doing it completely on her own and she is doing so well. She is noticing all the grammar and vocabulary connections and she really has taken "ownership" of learning Latin.

I think the reason for this is, the Shurley Engligh foundation she has in grammar. English has come very easy, I really believe it's because of Shurley English. It has laid a wonderful foundation for her Latin studies.

 

With all that said , I don't think Classical education relies on your child learning Latin. Use what works, toss what dosen't.:D

[Lovedtodeath]

I don't plan to, but if I do I will start it in 6th grade (The Latin Road). There is a schedule in TWTM for starting in 3rd, 5th, 6th and 8th.

 

So no one can say I am not a classical schooler until DD is done with 8th grade and we still are not doing Latin. LOL But in reality, I don't care if we are not a classical school, and the debate about Liberal Arts vs. Classical is not one that I enjoy. I care that we are a school that works for us.

[abbeyej]

Honestly, no, I don't think one can be a "classical" home schooler or get a "classical" education without studying classical language(s). But your kids can get a fabulous traditional liberal arts education without that, and that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it's really a very good thing.

 

Now, I'm a huge advocate of Greek and Latin as a part of a child's education (whatever you call it), but I do think it's absolutely integral if that label of "classical" is important to you. (That doesn't mean one has to start doing Latin in K -- though I would recommend it soon after the child is reading their native language fluently.)

 

But you *can* choose to skip Latin (and Greek) and still give your kids a fantastic education. You can still follow most of WTM. You can fill their heads with basic knowledge, then teach them to pursue knowledge on their own, draw logical connections and speak their thoughts clearly and with sense.

[Beth in SW WA]

Honestly, no, I don't think one can be a "classical" home schooler or get a "classical" education without studying classical language(s). But your kids can get a fabulous traditional liberal arts education without that, and that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it's really a very good thing.

 

:iagree:

[athena1277]

I really wanted dd to learn Spanish and to get a Spanish refresher for myself too. I debated whether or not to do Latin now an then Spanish down the road. Everyone said Latin would make Spanish easier. Finally someone said the converse is true also. She can learn Spanish now and it will make Latin easier later. It totally made sense after that. We just started Spanish last week. My hope is that she will learn it well and have a "usable" second language in case we are not able to keep hs'ing and don't get to Latin.

 

HTH!

[christielee7278]

We started Latin this past year, but it didn't go very well.

 

I'm now trying to decide if we should try Latin again or just go with Spanish. I'm thinking now that I'll try just the cd like a previous poster mentioned and see how that works. Maybe add the workbook back into the routine later on....or just switch to a different Latin program.