Can someone please help me with Latin?

[hose]

My 6th grader has done Prima Latina and part of Latina Christiana I. Prima was fine, but LC 1 has completely stumped us. This is the first time in my homeschooling "career" that I've felt over my head. LC just doesn't seem to make any sense! I have the old teacher's manual. Is that my problem? It jumps around and I'm constantly flipping back and forth and it seems so disorganized. My question is... should I buy a new TM and the DVD and try it or just scrap it and try something else? If so, what? I definitely need some more hand holding than I am currently getting. My goals for Latin are a better mastery of English vocabulary and a step up on other foreign languages, but I don't mind if my son can read it. ;)

 

What to do? Oh, what to do?

[Laura Corin]

I don't have any experience of LC, but I can recommend a programme that is logical, rigorous and fun. This is a review I wrote previously of Latin Prep, from Galore Park:

 

Calvin has finished LP 2 and is on chapter 1 of LP3. 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.

 

This is a link to a page where you can see samples:

 

http://www.galorepark.co.uk/product/home_schoolers/127/latin-prep-book-1.html

 

The books are available in the US from http://www.horriblebooks.com (Ray may have some on hand - otherwise he orders periodically in batches) or direct from the UK with free shipping from http://www.bookdepository.co.uk. I've used BD several times; service has always been excellent and very swift.

 

I have no financial connection with Galore Park - I'm just an enthusiast for many of their products.

 

Best wishes

 

Laura

[cajun.classical]

My 6th grader has done Prima Latina and part of Latina Christiana I. Prima was fine, but LC 1 has completely stumped us. This is the first time in my homeschooling "career" that I've felt over my head. LC just doesn't seem to make any sense! I have the old teacher's manual. Is that my problem? It jumps around and I'm constantly flipping back and forth and it seems so disorganized. My question is... should I buy a new TM and the DVD and try it or just scrap it and try something else? If so, what? I definitely need some more hand holding than I am currently getting. My goals for Latin are a better mastery of English vocabulary and a step up on other foreign languages, but I don't mind if my son can read it. ;)

 

What to do? Oh, what to do?

 

I've taught LC 1 and 2 multiple times. I've used the old TM and the new. I'm a big fan of the program. Students completing LC2 REALLY know their grammar. That said, I find it to be essential to read the articles on http://www.memoriapress.com on Latin instruction and Conducting a Latin Recitation. These articles revolutionized my teaching and have greatly improved the performance of my students.

 

I really like this program and I want you to be more comfortable teaching it. I'm happy to help. I'm a little unclear about what exactly is troubling you or why you have to flip back and forth. I find the instruction and layout very easy to understand. Could you give me an example of something in particular that is confusing you? Then perhaps I can help you.

 

I think it's probably better to try to make a program that you already own work, than to switch midstream.

[Heather in Neverland]

I, too, am a big fan of LC (we did PL, LCI and are now in LCII). BUT....I have always used the DVDs and wouldn't be without them. My ds knows grammar very well (in English and Latin) because of this program and is now starting to read in Latin as well.

[hose]

I've taught LC 1 and 2 multiple times. I've used the old TM and the new. I'm a big fan of the program. Students completing LC2 REALLY know their grammar. That said, I find it to be essential to read the articles on www.memoriapress.com on Latin instruction and Conducting a Latin Recitation. These articles revolutionized my teaching and have greatly improved the performance of my students.

 

I really like this program and I want you to be more comfortable teaching it. I'm happy to help. I'm a little unclear about what exactly is troubling you or why you have to flip back and forth. I find the instruction and layout very easy to understand. Could you give me an example of something in particular that is confusing you? Then perhaps I can help you.

 

I think it's probably better to try to make a program that you already own work, than to switch midstream.

 

My main problem with the teacher's guide is that it isn't organized well. For example, if we are are on lesson 5 (pg. 16 in the student book), I need to look at the "lesson plan" on pg. 43, the "answer key" on pg. 15, the "test" at the end of the book (pg. 65?? or so). Then the "history key and notes" is right dab in the middle (pg. 32), which refers, I believe, to the Famous Men of Rome book. However, these readings aren't assigned in the student book and I'm not sure when to do each chapter. I think that once I can get a handle on the program and understand the layout we may be fine. It's just so scattered and unorganized that I want to throw up my hands and give up. :confused: Do you know if the 3rd edition teacher's guide is any different?

 

Thanks so much for your offer of a life line. :) I really appreciate it.

[Julie in GA]

Are you able to purchase the new TM? It made a HUGE difference to me. I really struggled my first year with LC1 with the old TM.

[hose]

Are you able to purchase the new TM? It made a HUGE difference to me. I really struggled my first year with LC1 with the old TM.

 

I just wanted to make sure that it was updated well. Would you please tell me the difference between the two?

 

Thanks so much for your time.

[mrscopterdoc]

My main problem with the teacher's guide is that it isn't organized well. For example, if we are are on lesson 5 (pg. 16 in the student book), I need to look at the "lesson plan" on pg. 43, the "answer key" on pg. 15, the "test" at the end of the book (pg. 65?? or so). Then the "history key and notes" is right dab in the middle (pg. 32), which refers, I believe, to the Famous Men of Rome book. However, these readings aren't assigned in the student book and I'm not sure when to do each chapter. I think that once I can get a handle on the program and understand the layout we may be fine. It's just so scattered and unorganized that I want to throw up my hands and give up. :confused: Do you know if the 3rd edition teacher's guide is any different?

 

 

I totally agree with you! I have this same problem. I have the newest edition, the 3rd I guess and it seems the same way to me. I thought I was the only crazy one and I wasn't *smart* enough to teach! What finally worked for me was taking about 30 minutes or so on Sunday before the new week starts and going over the lesson for the week. I write out on a sheet what to do, what page things are on etc so it's all right there and I'm not flipping back and forth like a dummy during the lesson. Not the best solution maybe, but it is an excellent Latin program and I wanted to stick with it and not ditch it midway.

[cajun.classical]

I just wanted to make sure that it was updated well. Would you please tell me the difference between the two?

 

Thanks so much for your time.

 

Yes, the third edition TM is much nicer and updated. First of all it includes the student pages with the Lesson Plans and teacher notes right there. So, no flipping around. It's got a full English-Latin and Latin-English Glossary and a Derivatives List and Weekly Quizzes with the Answer Key. The History Section is still separate. If you want to incorporate it, look at the tests and see which History Sections go with each test and then break up the chapters for weekly reading. For example, if the Test covers the first five chapters of FMOR (I don't have my book in front of me so this is just an example) then since a Test covers 5 LC weeks, schedule one chapter of FMOR weekly. Do it one day a week. FMOR is covered in LC1 and 2 so it goes through the book slowly.

 

Did I answer all your questions? Memoria Press will upgrade your old TM for $8 plus $3.00 shipping. EMail them to get the name of who you should ship it to. I think it was called Teacher Manual Exchange or something like that. I upgraded mine a few months ago. It is much nicer to have those student pages to look at. The dvds are something to consider as well. I've never used them, but I have a background in Latin. You can also post questions on the MP forum or call them directly. And I highly recommend reading their articles on Latin Instruction. Once I really understood their philosophy and goals for elementary Latin instruction, it made all the difference.

Any more questions? I'm happy to help.

[hose]

Thank you so much! You've been very helpful! I did have a chance to look at the articles you suggested and they were very eye opening and helped me to understand the program a bit better. I will email them about my teacher's manual, though I bought it used, so I don't know that they will exchange it. I suppose it never hurts to ask!

 

You all are so helpful on this forum. I am relatively new here and I am so thankful that all of this help has been offered to a "newbie".

[hose]

Christina,

 

I'm glad to know I'm not alone! Talk about feeling like a failure! How hard can 3rd grade latin actually be?

 

Your suggestion was very helpful and I think being prepared ahead of lesson time is an excellent idea. I am a bit ashamed that I did not think of it myself.

 

Best regards,

 

~hose

[Myra]

I just started LCII (took us a little over a year to do LCI) and I use the third edition with the DVDs, student workbook, and the Lucerne Activity book - I know nothing about Latin and do absolutely no prep work....but I watch the DVDs with my kids - the DVDs are great and I know I couldn't handle Latin without them!