Any suggestions for a homeschooler who wants to introduce Latin study to his third grade son for the purpose of nurturing precision in his thinking? I want something well-ordered and challenging - the daily intellectual process is what is important to me.
Thanks in advance - I didn’t have time to do a thorough search of the forum.
Lingua Latina
Have a look at the publisher’s site (the main book is Lingua Latina: Part I, Familia Romana, the first one on the list). They have links to sample pages:
http://www.pullins.com/txt/LinguaLatina.htm
Also, search these forums for “Lingua Latina” and/or “Orberg” (the author) and you’ll find a lot of information about that book (and read from a lot of its devoted followers).
Third grade is tough, I have a daughter starting it this year, and he might find the book to be a little challenging, but I still think it is by far the best choice (certainly would be for a 6th or higher grader).
Another option to consider, though not discussed here much, is the Minimus series. You can find more information about it here:
http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521659604
and here:
I’d worry that it might be too much to the other extreme (i.e., too easy) but I haven’t seen the actual books or investigated it too much. Maybe someone else will comment on it/them.
You could take a look at the Oxford Latin Course and see if it’s what you’re looking for. I don’t have the expertise in Latin to even pretend to give advice about textbooks, but check it out and see what ya think.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0195212037/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-4921023-6528617#reader-link
Ørberg’s Lingua Latina by far — also, coincidentally, the cheapest option I believe.
It may be best to create your own little text. You know your son’s manners of learning better than some distant author. You could use some ideas and examples from grammars and texts you already have, but adjust them and present them in a way that seems best for your son’s learning.
I have been using the Latin Primer series from Canon Press (www.canonpress.org) with my granddaughter who is going into the 3rd grade with good results.
The teaching method is totally deductive and uses classical pronunciation. Best of all, DVDs of actual classroom instruction are available. The students on the DVD appear to be about 3rd grade. The instruction is heavy on chants and vocabulary, but light on grammar.
Mark Reed
Phenix City, AL
Memoria Press has a good curriculum. I just finished Latina Prima with my seven-year-old. Your child may be able to jump to the Latina Christiana since he is a little older. Memoria reinforces English grammar while teaching latin. The have PDF samples of lessons at their website. Their website is: