Puddle Jumping: Latin

Monday, June 5, 2017

Homeschool Review Crew - Memoria Press Latin

Review, #hsreviews, #memoriapress, #classicalchristianeducation, #classicalyhomeschooling, #Free Form Latin, #classicalchristianhomeschooling, homeschooling, classical christian education, classical christian curriculum, classical christian homeschool curriculum, memoria press, product names

I was first introduced to Latin with the early levels from Memoria Press, and I absolutely loved it, so I was thrilled to get a chance to review the First Form Latin Complete Set for Grades 4-9, or more ideally those in Grade 5 and up, from Memoria Press.

Memoria Press has a full spectrum of additional Latin programs to explore as well including:

Prima Latina
Latina Christiana
First Form Latin
Second Form Latin
Third Form Latin
Fourth Form Latin
Henle Latin
And More Including Pronunciation CDs

Memoria Press, Review, #hsreviews, #memoriapress, #classicalchristianeducation, #classicalyhomeschooling, #Free Form Latin, #classicalchristianhomeschooling, homeschooling, classical christian education, classical christian curriculum, classical christian homeschool curriculum, memoria press, product names

First Form Latin Complete Set, Review #hsreviews, #memoriapress, #classicalchristianeducation, #classicalyhomeschooling, #Free Form Latin, #classicalchristianhomeschooling, homeschooling, classical christian education, classical christian curriculum, classical christian homeschool curriculum, memoria press, product names

What is First Form Latin from Memoria Press?

First Form Latin is written by Cheryl Lowe, who is also the author of other Memoria Press Latin programs. The curriculum is unique in that it works with the trivium model of teaching and uses workbook exercises to reinforce the skills learned along with rapid recognition of inflected forms. It teaches grammar systematically so that the student has a high retention rate and fully understands the concepts. The First Form Latin focuses on vocabulary and grammar forms making it the text of choice for beginner Latin students regardless of their age, even though it is recommended for Grades 4-9, but more ideally for those in 5th Grade or higher. It is also recommended as a great follow-up course to Latina Christiana. When a student completes First Form Latin, they will know 185 vocabulary words, 5 noun declensions, first and second declension adjectives, and the 6 indicative active tenses of the first two verb conjugations.

I received a very nice packet of everything I need which included:

Paperback student text
Paperback student workbook
Paperback Teacher Manual
Paperback Quizzes & Tests Booklet
Paperback Teacher Key
DVD lessons
Pronunciation CD
Flash Cards

This is How Each Piece of the Program Looks:

The lessons stress practice and mastering the material. They are presented on DVD with 3 DVDs containing 9 hours worth of lessons, each about 15 to 20 minutes long and include on-screen notes, recitations, and illustrations. The teacher on the DVDs is Glen Moore, who is a former Highlands Latin School Teacher.

The student text is smaller than the workbook or quiz books to provide a concise book that presents 34 two-page lessons.

The actual student text is smaller than the workbooks making it easier to hold and less intimidating.

The Teacher Manual corresponds with the Student Workbook which contains about 4 to 6 pages of exercises for each lesson. The Teacher Manual has the full student text included and provides scripted lessons, color-coded answers, a recitation schedule, and all of the notes needed to lead the student in instruction. It also has an FYI section. The Quizzes & Tests provides you with weekly quizzes and unit tests that you may reproduce, and there is a Teacher Key that contains answers to the workbook, quizzes, and tests.

A really nice aspect is the pronunciation CD that helps you hear exactly how something is to be said so the student is not learning it improperly.

There is also a large set of flashcards that contain Latin sayings, grammar forms, and vocabulary words. The flashcards may seem like an extra, but it is more like the backbone of the entire course. The vocabulary words and information found on the flashcards build on successful mastery of the program.

How Did We Use It?

My High School Freshman daughter is 15 and has used Latin Christiana from Memoria Press so was familiar with the format and presentation. The way the program is set up actually requires very little teacher interaction at the high school level unless you choose to jump in. Had I chosen my youngest, who is not yet in 5th Grade, I'm sure my teaching role would be a bit more hands-on.

What Did We Think?

I am a fan of Classical Education and the Trivium, so Memoria Press never ceases to impress me. Free Form Latin is no exception to that rule. The program is solid and the complete set is so impressive and packed with everything you need to be successful at mastering Latin Grammar and vocabulary before moving on to higher level Latin learning.

FIND MEMORIA PRESS and LATIN CURRICULUM ON SOCIAL MEDIA @:

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Read what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below:

Latin, Nature and Trees {Memoria Press Reviews}

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

TOS Review - Laurelwood Books Olim Once Upon A Time Derivatives Latin

#hsreviews, #statehistory, #penmanship, #latinreaders, State History, Homeschool Penmanship, Latin Readers and Workbooks, Copywork

Throughout my 16 years of homeschooling so far, I have learned that understanding etymology and word roots is a very important skill that benefits the student in almost every subject area, so I was thrilled to get a chance to review the Olim, Once Upon a Time in Latin: Derivatives I from Laurelwood Books and written by Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn, who is the author of many other great homeschooling workbooks as well that are also offered on the Laurelwood Books site. USE CODE blogger 121 FOR A 20% DISCOUNT FOR READERS OF THIS BLOG - GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 15, 2016

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What is Laurelwood Books, and What is Olim Once Upon A Time in Latin: Derivatives I?

Laurelwood Books offers new and used curriculum as well as DVDs, CDs, and more from ABeka, BJU, Apologia, Backyard Scientist, Saxon, Singapore, Beautiful Feet, Progeny Press, Wordly Wise, Vocabulary from the Classical Roots, Spelling, Latin, and Logic. The owners of the site have been homeschooling for about 25 years. Among the books offered on the site are a wide selection of readers and workbooks written by Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn.

Olim Once Upon A Time in Latin: Derivatives I is one of the books offered on the Laurelwood Books site. Written by Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn, the book is set up to help make learning Latin derivatives by presenting 150 Latin words in a fill-in-the-blank workbook pages, tons of exercises, puzzles, and matching games format. The answer key is provided in the back of the book.

Each lesson is intended to take 2 weeks to complete. At that pace, the book takes approximately 30 weeks of learning time.

This Latin book is different from other Latin books in that it emphasizes that Latin is Hard but not when using this book. It can stand alone or be used alongside the reader and workbook. It uses Latin words and discovers which English words are derived from them. It uses stories, matching, fill-in-the-blank, crossword puzzles, word search, and more and it challenges you to learn how we got our words from Latin derivatives and reinforces the use in everyday language.

The book is 143 pages that contains 15 lessons and a Review, followed by a list of vocabulary words and an Answer Key. It starts with a note to the teacher explaining that it is intended for 5th and 6th graders, but can be used with any grade level. It explains that it is set up to be used as follows:

Week 1
Day 1 - Trace Latin and English words, note Derivatives
Day 2 - Exercise I: Fill in the Blank
Day 3 - Exercise II: Matching
Day 4 - Exercise III: Story with Blanks

Week 2
Day 5: Exercise IV: Multiple Choice
Day 6: Exercise V: Write Your Own Story
Day 7: Crossword or Word Search puzzle
Extras: Write Derivatives (every five lessons)

The schedule is followed by a page about how to pronounce Latin words and a list of Roman Numerals.

How Did We Use It?

To get a complete understanding of how the book is set up and how it is to use, I was asked to use the book for an average of 3 times a week during the review period. I sat down with my almost 5th grader and walked through the lesson's pages. She completed the pages without any struggle. It was the perfect learning level for her, not too easy as to bore her and not too difficult as to frustrate.

What Did We Think?

My two daughters really thrive on workbook style learning that offers more than only fill-in-the-blank or write-an-essay pages. This book delivered everything in a variety of workbook pages that were perfect. It was basically out-of-the-box ready with very little to no teacher prep time. I appreciated that it offers solid learning, providing tons of Latin vocabulary explained well and without empty fluff. Every page is packed with new learning opportunities.

FIND Laurelwood Books ON SOCIAL MEDIA @:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laurelwood-Books-173789899339380/

Laurelwood Books offers several other books on their site. Other members of the TOS Review Crew reviewed these additional books, also written by Mary Ellen Tedrow:
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