[face=Verdana]I’m klostes, aka Lisa, and this will be my fourth or fifth foray into attempting to learn Latin. I’ve always wanted to learn the language but have stalled out every time I’ve tried on my own. This year when I gave my sons a choice between Latin and Spanish for their foreign language, the 13-year-old actually chose Latin. So he and I will see what hay we can make of the subject.
I’ve ordered Lingua Latina (published by Focus Publishing) and I still have on hand from my earlier attempts all the Wheelock’s materials, whether published or available online. Today I downloaded the free e-books from this site as well, and joined this forum in hopes that all this, mixed and matched together, might actually lead to some accomplishments on this front for both my son and myself.
My co-Despot and I are geeks through and through, proudly raising another generation of geeks. We’ve been homeschooling for 11 years, members of the large and growing larger population of secular homeschoolers (who, despite current stereotypes, were the true originators of the movement.)
I look forward to getting to know a few folks here, and hopefully meeting with more success on the Latin front this time 'round[/face]
My wife and I have also homeschooled (although we are taking this year off) our two children but only for the last couple years. It is a huge responsibility we have for the education of our children. I applaud your efforts and ability to stick with it. Our reasons were purely religious and I am (as the school year approaches) currently having second thoughts about not doing it this year…but that is another story.
Last year, my then 7yr old wanted to learn a foreign language so I began to investigate which would be best for her. It came down to Spanish or Latin and I chose Latin. She was not thrilled at first but has come to enjoy it very much. In the process, I became hooked and am now working through Wheelock. There is a group that is about to start here using Wheelock, I am sure there is room for one more if you are interested.
Dumbing us Down has been one of the most influential books in my homeschooling. Great for those days (or weeks) when I’m fed up and burned out and ready to just throw the kids all in school. (Though we did send our oldest to public school for 8th and 9th grades; definitely worth it at the time.) And you’re either in a good place or doomed already if you’re reading homeschooling books now; I started looking into it when my oldest was an infant and there was no turning back. I’d also recommend Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense by David Guterson. If you’re shopping at Powell’s it sounds like we’re in the same area; let me know if you want more information or local contacts. This is a great place to homeschool.
And here’s hoping the 13 yo and I can keep each other inspired.
We took a couple of years off with our oldest, sending him “out” to school for 8th and 9th grades. You have to do what’s right for the entire family, and there are times when homeschooling is not the best option for everyone. But for us it’s become our lifestyle, and I’m not sure if the younger two boys will go out to school until they’re ready for college.
In the process, I became hooked and am now working through Wheelock. There is a group that is about to start here using Wheelock, I am sure there is room for one more if you are interested.
I’d definitely be interested, depending on the timing of the assignments. It also depends on what I find in our Lingua Latina books when they arrive. Thank you for the heads up!
And my kids weren’t excited about Latin when they were younger, but I think they’re changing their tune now.
Salue, Lisa! Welcome again and I wish you and your son much success with your Latin!
I am very pleased to hear you have purchased Lingua Latina! I just took a break from the XXII chapter, actually, and I tell it is tremendous! If you haven’t seen this yet, this booklet by Prof. William C. Dowling goes right along with Lingua Latina:
A very important read. The story in the first volume of Lingua Latina is so incredibly charming! I know you and your son will love it; I certainly do. Please, let me know how you’re enjoying it! and feel free to ask questions in the Learning Latin forum (I hang out there all the time) if you have any trouble with the book, or Latin in general.
Thanks, Klostes. I’m in Portland, and any help will be appreciated, especially with information about co-ops. My Latin is very poor, but I can read it fairly well; I don’t confuse vowel sounds with diphtongs or muddle them like English speakers do.
My Paco and I are still working on Lesson 1: Clapping to the rhythm of Sevillanas.
Thank you! I’m excited to try the Lingua Latin, and I found the link to the Dowling method in a post you made earlier in one of the Latin forums. Since it will be a bit yet until we actually get our books, I’m going to start with the suggestions there. And I will be asking, or possibly screaming for help, that’s for sure!
Ah, you’re ahead of me, then. I speak no foreign language and I really wish I’d learned earlier.
For homeschooling, the best place to start in this area is Greater Portland Homeschoolers. The website has a great deal of information, and their e-mail list will get you in on anything new that’s going on. There’s also Oregon Home Education Network, also known as OHEN, and that will give you general information on homeschooling in Oregon. There are a few e-mail lists, but as my children are older, I’m not familiar with the ones that are specific to younger children. There is Portland Classical Ed’s list, though it’s mostly for curriculum discussion and whatnot. If you don’t find what you want through these links, let me know and I’ll see what I can dig up for you. Good luck!
Thanks from the heart, Klostes. I knew of those sites from Googling and can’t find in them what I’m looking for: a place to take my kid during school hours where he can be with other kids his age and learn something from other grown-ups. I like the post about Cook Park, open to all, but Tigard is too far away for me. I found a private group in Yahoo Groups for “Progressives who meet in NE”, but my temperament makes me reticent to e-mail someone saying “Hi, I’m progressive too, can my kid play with yours?” Also, the fact that I’m progressive (who would call himself regressive?) doesn’t mean that I don’t want my kid to hang out with Christians, for example (just teasing, Kopio). (I’m not trying to make this your problem, Klostes.)
Anyway, since you’ve been so nice I have another question for you: My 13 year old niece arrived yesterday from Spain to spend a month with us, and my House Majority Whip and I are having trouble thinking of places to take her where she can be with kids her age. I told her: “Don’t worry, I’ll ask Klostes.” Any ideas? It doesn’t have to be homeschool related.
If I can reciprocate somehow, I’ll be glad to do so. Anyone owes you money?
I have another question for you: My 13 year old niece arrived yesterday from Spain to spend a month with us, and my House Majority Whip and I are having trouble thinking of places to take her where she can be with kids her age. I told her: “Don’t worry, I’ll ask Klostes.” Any ideas? It doesn’t have to be homeschool related.