Greek for young kids

[TheCoffeeChick]

I have just started learning Greek and dh will start learning in the fall. My just about 5 year old ds has started asking if he can learn too, but I am at a loss on how to go about it. Obviously, the text I am using would not be appropriate for a 5 year old, but I don't know where to start?

 

I did tell him he could start Greek for 1st grade (starting this fall), but am lost ... I can't seem to find anything for his age. There must be SOMETHING out there ... right?

 

I do not want anything hard or intense ... even if all he does is learn the alphabet over the whole year, that would be okay with me. He will be happy just learning the same thing as daddy. :)

 

So, I turn once again to the hive, hopefully someone out there knows what I can use.

 

Oh, and background -- ds is very easy to teach. He has a great memory and picks up things quick. We are at about lesson 95 in OPG, so he is learning all the long vowel pairs right now. He can read the very easy beginner books (Bob Books..).

[abbeyej]

I'd hesitate to begin Greek -- even just the alphabet -- with a child who was still mastering the basics of English phonics. So for now (or next year), maybe just get him these Greek alphabet letter blocks and let that be his start?

 

Once he's reading on a solid 2nd grade level, you could do the Greek Alphabet Code Cracker for just learning the alphabet.

[*anj*]

We haven't started Greek yet, but when we do, I'll be using Elementary Greek, because it looks wonderful, and I know several people who use and love it.

Also, I have a friend who knows a lot more about Latin and Greek than I do, and I remember her saying that she didn't recommend "Hey Andrew, Teach Me Some Greek."

That's all I've got for you! :001_smile:

[Mama Lynx]

I don't teach Greek until later, and then we use Elementary Greek.

 

STarting that young, I agree with Abbey.

[Jumping In Puddles]

Ancient Greek or Greek as a modern foreign language?

[FO4UR]

My dh is in seminary - learning Greek and Hebrew. My dc ask him about it and he'll give them a few words to learn. That's enough to satisfy their curiosity at this point.

[TheCoffeeChick]

Ancient Greek or Greek as a modern foreign language?

 

Ancient Greek ... my dh is studying to be a pastor and will head to seminary after completing his B.A.

 

Sorry I should have mentioned that :tongue_smilie:

[TheCoffeeChick]

I'd hesitate to begin Greek -- even just the alphabet -- with a child who was still mastering the basics of English phonics. So for now (or next year), maybe just get him these Greek alphabet letter blocks and let that be his start?

 

Once he's reading on a solid 2nd grade level, you could do the Greek Alphabet Code Cracker for just learning the alphabet.

 

:DThank you, Thank you, Thank you....:D

 

I think this will work great. I don't really want Greek to be a major part of our studies, but he wants to learn it and I don't want to discourage that. Hopefully the blocks will satisfy that hunger for learning until he has his English phonics down. I totally agree with you that I do not want to take away from that, which was why I was hesitant about Greek for him.

 

I think he will be very excited about the blocks.

 

The link for the Code Cracker is not working ... but not a big deal, I'll look for it when I need it. :)

Edited March 30, 2009 by BramFam
note about link

[yslek]

The first level of Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! is focused on just learning to say and write the Greek Alphabet. Depending on your his motor skills, it could be appropriate for 1st grade. (Or you could start it partway into 1st and then stretch it to cover 2nd, too.)

 

I, too, plan on using EG, but had my oldest ds go through Hey Andrew level 1 last school year, partly because he wanted to, and partly because I know that later Greek instruction will work so much better for this kid if he's already seen/practiced writing the alphabet.

[Donna T.]

My six year old has learned the Alphabet this year. He is not a fluent English reader yet but he's had no confusion. I've used the Greek Alphabetarion by Harvey Bluedorn. We use the banner and look at it as we sing the Alphabet Song. My older son is using The Code Cracker book and we all prefer Classical Academic Press's (Code Cracker publisher) Alphabet Song to the Bluedorn's, so we sing that one. When you buy the Code Cracker book, you get access to the audio files. That's where the song is located.

 

Right after Christmas, I contacted Classical Academic Press to ask when Song School Greek would be available. At that time, they told me it would be ready in about five weeks. Since the web site is down today, I'm hoping that means they are adding some new products.

 

I plan to try Song School Greek (for my six year) and Greek for Children (for my nine year old) as soon as they are ready.

 

My six year old has really enjoyed learning some Greek this year. He much prefers it to studying his English phonics! But, as I said, he has not been confused at all.

[TheCoffeeChick]

My six year old has learned the Alphabet this year. He is not a fluent English reader yet but he's had no confusion. I've used the Greek Alphabetarion by Harvey Bluedorn. We use the banner and look at it as we sing the Alphabet Song. My older son is using The Code Cracker book and we all prefer Classical Academic Press's (Code Cracker publisher) Alphabet Song to the Bluedorn's, so we sing that one. When you buy the Code Cracker book, you get access to the audio files. That's where the song is located.

 

Right after Christmas, I contacted Classical Academic Press to ask when Song School Greek would be available. At that time, they told me it would be ready in about five weeks. Since the web site is down today, I'm hoping that means they are adding some new products.

 

I plan to try Song School Greek (for my six year) and Greek for Children (for my nine year old) as soon as they are ready.

 

My six year old has really enjoyed learning some Greek this year. He much prefers it to studying his English phonics! But, as I said, he has not been confused at all.

 

So ... would Song School Greek for be for beginners like ds, or would you suggest getting the alphabet down first?

 

I like the block idea because my ds is already copying the alphabet when I write it out for him and these would help him have a hands on connection with Greek. He does not know the names yet (except alpha and omega) or even how to correctly write them all yet. But I suspect he would learn them very easily if we actually started trying. Like I said in my original post, he memorizes EVERYTHING! I even walked in on him playing school with my dd and him telling her that the rule for the soft c sound is when it is followed by an e, i, or y. :) I had no idea he even remembered this!

 

So, once he has the alphabet down, I am curious if we would do:

Greek Alphabetarion by Harvey Bluedorn

or Code Cracker

or Song School Greek

or Hey Andrew

or something else not suggested yet?

I would want the most gentle, slow approach there would be available without making ds bored. If he is learning it and his other studies are not hurting, then by all means, I will want to continue teaching it to him.

 

Thank you everyone for the suggestions ... I am always amazed at the wonderful responses here. :)

[Donna T.]

Song School Greek is for the youngest students, K-2nd grade. He doesn't need to have the alphabet mastered before starting it. You may want to look at Song School Latin to get an idea of how Song School Greek may be set up. Hopefully, Song School Greek will be on the web site very soon and you can just look at that. I think it will be alot of fun... with age-appropriate songs and finger-plays.

 

If you haven't already, you may want to look at the Bluedorn's site. It is triviumpursuit.com. I really like the way that they stress the importance of focusing on the alphabet before introducing grammar. You can use either The Greek Alphabetarion or The Greek Alphabet Code Cracker to learn the alphabet. You really wouldn't need both. I've enjoyed having both, but really, only one is necessary.

[Donna T.]

Okey dokey, the Classical Academic Press site is back up. Nothing new as far as Song School Greek. Rats. I'd hoped it would be. Here is a link to the Code Cracker. The price is going up. They added a video about that.

 

http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=28

 

 

There is alot of writing in it. Thought I'd just mention that. My son (the nine year old) has skipped some of it but it hasn't slowed down his learning. I think it would be too much writing for K-2.

[Mommy22alyns]

We're waiting on Song School Greek. Every time Becca starts flipping around in her SSL book and sees the advertisement in the back, she squeals, "Song School GREEK!!!!" in excitement.

[TheCoffeeChick]

Song School Greek is for the youngest students, K-2nd grade. He doesn't need to have the alphabet mastered before starting it. You may want to look at Song School Latin to get an idea of how Song School Greek may be set up. Hopefully, Song School Greek will be on the web site very soon and you can just look at that. I think it will be alot of fun... with age-appropriate songs and finger-plays.

 

If you haven't already, you may want to look at the Bluedorn's site. It is triviumpursuit.com. I really like the way that they stress the importance of focusing on the alphabet before introducing grammar. You can use either The Greek Alphabetarion or The Greek Alphabet Code Cracker to learn the alphabet. You really wouldn't need both. I've enjoyed having both, but really, only one is necessary.

 

Thank you so much Donna T ... from your description, Song School Greek sounds like it will be perfect! I will also check out the Bluedorn site. You've been very helpful. Thanks.