Latin For Children, Primer A (Review)

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     The study of Latin is not normally something you can just pick up a book and begin teaching your children. 

     At least, not me.

        It's a complex language, one that dives deep into grammar and other concepts that 95% of Americans never studied when they were in school, including myself.  Most Latin textbooks are designed for the teacher who is already an expert at Latin.  I'm not an expert - I only began learning Latin with my children and other students about 18 months ago.  I have chosen to use a Latin curriculum which has been designed for the teacher who does not already know Latin.

     I've been leading a weekly Latin class for homeschoolers in my home for the last two school years.  While the curriculum we've been using has been very thorough, I've struggled to keep it fun, relevant, and ALIVE!  I spend a few hours each week preparing for this class to provide a cultural view of ancient Rome, a snack which would have fit into the Roman culture, notetaking pages for each DVD lesson, and other review activities.  I still feel like I don't provide enough daily student work for the chapters.

     While we like what we are using, I was very interested in reviewing Classical Academic Press' Latin for Children ~ Primer A.

     This review of Latin for Children ~ Primer A isn't going to be one of my shortest reviews.  I'm sorry!  If you would prefer a shorter review of Latin for Children, you can go to the TOS Crew's review page for more reviews of this product, and surely, someone there will have written a shorter review than mine!!!  I'm also writing from the perspective of one who has taught Latin in the past and is comparing this program with what I'm currently using.

     Classical Academic Press has designed this Latin program to be used with upper elementary students, although in my opinion, it could also be used with students in junior high school, even though it may be a little bit childish for them. 

       There are a number of important and helpful components to Latin for Children - Primer A.  I'd like to describe for you some of the physical pieces of the program and show you as many samples as I can, so you may understand more how this program works.

     Classical Academic Press' primary goal for Latin instruction is as follows:


The ultimate goal of any truly effective Latin program must be to construe (translate) original Latin texts.


     For the lower elementary students, Classical Academic Press provides Song School Latin.  Once students are into the upper elementary grades, starting as young as 3rd grade, they are ready for Latin for Children, Primer A.

     Each year of the Latin for Children (LFC ) series includes the following components:

• Primer—Student text and workbook, the foundation of the curriculum Answer Key—Features the actual text with answers in bold print
• DVD & Chant CD Set—DVDs offer chapter-by-chapter training by the author with 2 students; chant CD contains all 240 vocabulary words chanted and sung in both the classical and ecclesiastical pronunciations
• History Reader—Latin stories from history that are geared toward the grammar and vocabulary being learned in each Primer
• Activity Book—Games and puzzles that help students master the Latin vocabulary and grammar from each Primer

   
Here's an explanation of the work in Latin for Children, Primer A:

     Below is a description of the various pieces of the Latin for Children curriculum:

Latin for Children, Primers A, B, and C
The Primers are the heart of the LFC program. Each workbook is engaging, incremental, creative, and filled with clear grammatical explanations written expressly for the student.  Exercises, tests, and a sizable and useful reference section are also included. Lessons include a plethora of mnemonic aids (songs, chants) that enable students to learn vocabulary and grammar with ease and delight.  Beginning with Primer A, each book is to be taught in succession, 1 book per school year. 

• Workbook format, 32 chapters (proposed teaching time line: 1 chapter per week)/Integrated with Shurley Grammar
• Classical and ecclesiastical pronunciation provided in all 3 texts
• Integrated and clear explanations of grammar in every chapter, written at the student’s level
• 240 high-frequency Latin words in each text
• Yearly revision of each text based on critical feedback
  

     Here's a sample of Primer A.

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Latin for Children Answer Keys
Answer Keys are available for each of the Latin for Children Primers. They
feature the actual, full-size worksheets from the corresponding Primers, with
answers to quizzes, exercises, and worksheets in bold print.

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Latin for Children DVD & Chant CD Sets
With these DVD & Chant CD Sets, your students will be receiving a one-on-one learning experience. Pronunciation will become a breeze, and don’t be surprised to hear even your youngest children picking up the catchy chants and songs. Each lesson (average twenty minutes per lesson) corresponds to the weekly chapter in the Primer, and feature the chanting and singing of vocabulary and paradigms along with clear grammatical explanations by Dr. Perrin. The LFC Primer A DVD & Chant CD Set is recorded and filmed in both classical and ecclesiastical pronunciation.                       

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Latin for Children History Readers
Now young Latin students can begin to translate and read a selection of simple Latin stories written at their own level. The stories correspond with the Veritas Press History Card series, and are integrated with the grammar and vocabulary of Latin for Children, Primers A, B, and C. Each chapter contains definitions for new words, and a full glossary is provided at the end of each book. While these readers are keyed to Latin for Children, Primers A, B, and C, they are an excellent supplementary text for students using other Latin curricula as well.

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Latin for Children Activity Book
Each workbook contains over 100 puzzles and games that follow chapter-by-chapter with the LFC Primers to supplement and enhance students’ practice of vocabulary and grammar.        

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     TheLatin for Children Mastery Bundle includes all of the materials for the selected primer: the Primer (textbook), Answer Key, DVD & Chant CD Set, History Reader, and Activity Book!     

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Extra Resources
that may be purchased ~

I didn't receive any of the following:

Latin for Children A Extras Bundle   This includes:

•  Latin for Children Primer A Clash Cards
• Latin for Children Primer A Test Packet PDF
• Latin Word Quest Poster
• Latin Bingo 2 Go
  
• Latin Crossword Book
• Veni Emmanuel Ancient and Traditional Latin Christmas Carols CD
  

Latin Clash Cards: 
Clash Cards are designed to be helpful, easy-to-use flash cards, but that’s just the
beginning. Clash Cards are also a card game that makes reinforcing vocabulary words fun and exciting. Students test their knowledge as they play a challenging game of rivalry between the four seasons.  As word skills and wild weather collide, who will emerge victorious?  The words used in the Level 1 deck match with the vocabulary used in Latin for Children, Primer A and the words used in the Level 2 deck match with the vocabulary used in Latin for Children, Primer B. However, the cards can be used by any student wishing to practice the most common Latin words, regardless of curriculum or course of study.

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Latin for Children, Primer A Test Packet (PDF) ~ the price on this varies depending on how many students will be using it during the school year.

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    Latin Word Quest Poster:  Make Latin vocab practice into a game!
Have a visual learner for a Latin student? This colorful 2x3-foot poster features all of the Latin for Children, Primer A vocabulary words along with fun corresponding images. Translate each word, then search the picture and label it with the word’s number...similar to "Where's Waldo?" of the 1990s.

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Latin Bingo 2 Go:  Includes 4 unique playing cards that are crayon wipe-'n-eraseable, each bingo game has levels for both advanced students and beginners. One side is all Latin and the other includes pictures with English translations for beginners and younger students.      

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Latin Crosswords (optional)
Here's a sample! 

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Veni Emmanuel Ancient and Traditional Latin Christmas Carols CD

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Free Latin Resources on Classical Academic Press' website:

91 Extra Practice Pages

Free Printable Flash Cards

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Free online songs and chants for grammar forms:

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Free online Latin/English
diglot weaves/stories:

Free online vocabulary practice and games, and
"Chart Challenge" practice of grammar forms at
www.HeadventureLand.com

     So, now that you've had a peek at all of the required materials for Latin for Children, Primer A, as well as the optional resources that can be purchased and the free resources available on their website, here's the question of the day...


    What did we think of Latin for Children, Primer A?


     Here are my comments about the actual products we received for review purposes, as well as some of the free online resources:

Latin for Children, Primer A DVD Lessons:  This is the heart of the Latin for Children program.  They started out with a review/recitation led by children which covered vocabulary, a Latin maxim, and any grammar forms that had been learned.  The girls and I, as well as my Latin class, didn't think these were very professionally done, but we liked the way that the vocabulary words could be "acted out" slightly to make it easier for the kinesthetic learner to take part.  This is a multi-sensory product that would work well for my children, despite their views of the children leading the recitation. 

     The adult-led lessons following the recitation were more professional, and they were easy to understand.  Because we are currently using another Latin curriculum in a class format, we couldn't fully dive into Latin for Children as deeply as we would have if we weren't using anything else.  However, after watching several lessons, none of us had any complaints about the teacher.  Except...the only thing that I'd mention here is that his handwriting on the white board is not as easy to read or follow as I would have expected.  We all, including my students in my Latin classes, felt like the grammer forms and work on the white board should have been done with PowerPoint or using a digital white board that could project charts with which he could have worked.

     The little "How the West was Unus" dramas using plastic figurines were totally unprofessional, but we loved 'em!  They were silly and goofy, but they helped us to laugh and review Latin vocabulary at the same time.

     Primer A Student Workbook:  I really like how the student text contains enough of the teaching material to help students review what was being shown in their weekly lesson on the DVD without having to go back and view the DVD lesson again.  There were three activities for each week in this book alone!  My girls thought they were fun, and my Latin class was impressed with the layout, graphics, and activities.

     Chant CD:  I was a little bit disappointed with the chant CD, but most CDs from other companies have the same problem.  The pronunciation was excellent, but their chant recitations tend to follow the same format:  using the same musical phrase or vocal phrase or tune over and over again regardless of the material that is being memorized.  I'd prefer to see each grammar form chanted or recited with a new rhythm or musical tone instead of the same tone repeated for each one.  It would be a more distinct memory tool than what is currently available.  This takes more creativity to produce, but it would be a nice addition to their Chant CD.

      History Reader:  This is a handy little resource that encourages students to begin the translation process from the beginning.  We liked it!

     The Activity Book also has additional games and activities to help review concepts and vocabulary taught on the weekly DVD lesson.  We all thought these were a great way to review the material.

    On the free online resources, the girls and my other Latin students all were very pleased with the free practice and review activities online at www.HeadventureLand.com .  These are wonderful!  From a teacher perspective, the ability to have enough to keep the students busy with daily review, both online and in their student workbooks, is like a dream come true...and it's fun for the students, as well.  I'm very impressed with the activities.

     We are praying about using this curriculum in our home this next school year.  My Latin group that has already had two well-designed years of Latin instruction is ready to move on, but not quite to the high school level of material.  Latin for Children, Primer A would move too slowly for them, so we may do several lessons a week with Primer A and then dive into Primer B shortly thereafter, and possibly even start Primer C this next spring, one year from now.  We haven't decided yet.

     I've already decided, however, that if I have new students for Latin, I will begin them in this "new to us" program.  The instruction is very solid, and yet the activities and review work are a lot of fun.  What a great combination!  I look forward to using this in the future with new students. 

      Thank you, Classical Academic Press, for providing me with such a great opportunity to use and review your products.  We have learned a lot while going through this curriculum, and it will be enjoyable to see how the students learn and keep up with their vocabulary next year.

Disclaimer:  I received one copy of Primer A workbook, DVD and CD set, Activity Book, History Reader, and Answer Key, for the purpose of using and reviewing this material here for you.  No other compensation was provided.

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