Foreign Language: Latin: Grades 3 and up
Latin For Children
Publisher: Classical Academic Press
For more information or to order: www.classicalacademicpress.com

Intro (I enter).

Latin for Children is more than just child's play!  It is a detailed curriculum, which could accommodate a middle or high school student - but don't let that scare you if you have little ones.  Latin for Children consists of a videotape/DVD, textbook and answer key.  The lesson begins with watching the video to learn the chants and rhymes and memory work as well as more in depth information.  These mnemonic aids allow students to learn over 240 vocabulary words and grammar in a fun, interactive format.  Following the video lesson, the student is supposed to do the worksheet, which covers "Translation," "Chant," "Grammar," and "Derivatives."  The text also provides tests to ensure mastery of the material.  Latin for Children includes a teacher guide with clear explanations and the authors have also provided a large reference section.  Most moms will appreciate the fact that this course assumes no prior Latin experience! 

My five children, the youngest being three and my oldest eleven, all love the video lessons!  On the video, homeschool father (author Christopher Perrin) sits with his children and does the lessons with them.  I really like that a master teacher is instructing my children - it's like having a tutor come to my home!  The chants and rhymes are creative, fun (and sometimes funny).  The use of graphics to illustrate what they are working on in the lesson is a big help, especially for visual learners.  I thought I'd share how we have been using Latin for Children in our home.  At this time my interest in Latin is to learn words in order to understand English better, not to mention the ability to understand other languages.  One of the benefits of homeschooling is making a curriculum fit your needs, which is what we have done with Latin for Children.  We usually watch the video lesson several times on each day that we're studying Latin.  The kids enjoy memorizing the chants and quizzing each other.  I am amazed at how much my children have learned after only a few lessons!  The workbook is a bit much for us though.  As with most classical courses, there is quite a bit of writing.  The "Grammar" and "Derivatives" questions many times have more than one word to fill in, if not full sentence answers.  We will most likely do this part of the lesson when they are older. 

As it is with learning any foreign language, your success will depend greatly on YOUR motivation and commitment to learn with your children.  Your goals will determine how you use this program.  However you choose to use it, Latin For Children just might be the via (way) for you.

Narravi (I told).

Making the grade: A
Cost: $74.95 for set of Textbook, Answer Key and Video/DVD
Value for your homeschool dollar: 9
Reviewed by Lori Carvell, homeschool mom of 5