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Top Ten Reasons for Latin
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So let me get this straight:
I would like to start with my 13 yo this coming school year. The Christian Trivium (I think that’s it) would work for him but what about my 9yo??
If I choose to have them do it together (which is my preference, I think) would Getting Started…or Latin for Children be best?? Is that too young for my oldest but too mature for my middle boy??
Or, should I have my 13yo do a program for him and wait on my 9yo?? He will be 10 in the fall and could conceivable do this with his brother (why wait, right??).
I checked out Latin for Children (classical site where the logic material is found) and that seemed good, but I’m sure the Getting Started is good, too.
Also, is this something that I can have 2 different programs for: One for my oldest, since he’s older, and one for my 9yo??
I know, lots of questions, but I really want to start this this coming fall and I don’t want to have purchase later what I should purchse now.
I looked at the LitCT website and their scope and sequence recommends starting Volume I any time from 6th grade to 9th grade. So, I think it would be ok to wait until my now 8yo is a little older. It looks like it is a 4-year course. Bookworm- did your children do it as a 4 year course, or longer?
I must say, I really liked what I saw on the website. I also read a review by Cathy Duffy. I have never heard of Latin in the Christian Trivium before. Thanks for introducing it to me.
@my3boys: I can’t answer all your questions as I haven’t taught multiple students in Latin, only Hebrew, where my dd is about a year under my son and he helps out with her for me.
Regarding the 13 yr. old, I think L4C may be too young. It’s meant for 3rd grade to about 6th? Whereas Latin ALive is for beginning upper middle and High school LAtin (gr. 7+).
To me, here’s some ideas (similar to what Bookwrom just said earlier)”
1) use LAtin ALive for 13 yr. old and LfC for the 10 yr. old and decide whether to keep with them going in their programs or switch to LitCT later.
2) start 13 yr. old on LAtin ALive this year and then switch to LitCT the following year along with starting your younger one.
3) start them both w/Getting Started…this year and then next year put them both in either LitCT or LAtin ALive!
IMO. #1 is the most expensive and it would depend upon the level of independent learning each one has on how complicated it may be to work. Mine are in two different levels in Hebrew, but my dd materials were the ones that my son had already gone through so that makes it easier; plus, my son helps her and is self-motivated in this area. You’d be dealing w/2 programs which none of you have had any experience with.
#2 is less expensive but complicated since they’ll be at two differing levels in the LitCT later.
#3 is least expensive and the most simple to implement. Same materials and same levels, you’re not having to deal with two different books and such, etc. Plus, I think you said you oldest has some learning challenges (dysgraphia?) w/writing and LA skills and Getting Started…is a soft intro. to LAtin from all I’ve heard.
HTH some,
Rachel
Thanks Rachel, that is very helpful.
My oldest doesn’t have dysgraphia *but* he is not as strong a reader/speller as his younger brother is, especially outloud. His spelling is improving with extra copywork/SW but when he does written narrations his spelling is just not what I would like it to be at this age/grade(we’re working on it). His memory for the written word is not as strong, but his narrations (whether I read or he reads) are off the hook!! And when I dictate he can transcribe an average sentence no problem. His brother is just like me, if he can’t see it he can’t understand it, and narrates best from having read something himself, very visual.
Anyway, thanks for a very thorough breakdown on what I can do with my dc, I really appreciate it.
Bookworm, of course I make sure it’s right for my family! I WISH I could just take someone’s suggestions and go with it, but I always analize and research and debate and talk with hubby then pray and then sometimes do that all over again! There just aren’t many things that you recommend that I don’t like…..it’s sort of like having a parallel universe version of myself….one that’s older and wiser and smarter and…..we’ll just stop there!
I think Rachel explained the options very well. yoliemiller, it took us a bit longer than 4 years to cover all 4 volumes–I’m thinking maybe 6 months more. I did not push very fast at the beginning, let us all get acclimated. We did vol 3 and 4 pretty much in a year each. My third son has been working on vol 1 for a little over a year (he did Getting Started with Latin first).
Very interesting article. I had never planned to do any latin or saw the need in it. I am going to have to re-think things now.
Thank you for posting this.
I have been looking into Latin curriculum for the fall. I received this magazine article about Latin in the mailbox the day after my husband said, “Why do we need Latin, it doesn’t seem practical.”
Well, now he is on board, somewhat, and I’m plowing ahead before he changes his mind. I haven’t seen much talk about Prima Latina, is one of these other programs a better choice? If someone knows, what are the pros/cons of Prima Latina vs. Latin for Children or any other latin program?
Thanks!
I chose Latin for Children because:
1) it’s classical Latin; I have no need for ecclesiastical
2) it has a DVD in case I am unavailable.
That’s all I can think of concerning what mainly affected my decision.
We used Latin for Children A this past schoolyear. My children were 7,8,10,12 and 13. The two youngest just listened in, but learned a lot. Technically, it was below the age recommendation for the two oldest, however I didn’t know any Latin to begin with and I found it challenging enough for a start. The main thing I would advise is that you need to be consistent with it and just keep doing what they recommend. It’s like looking through muddy water at first, but slowly the water begins to clear, kwim? I haven’t used anything else, so I can’t compare, but we liked the LFC. They have lots of resources at their website as well.
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