Undecided and scared! - Prima Latina or Latina Christiana?

[Unregistered]

I have a 4th & 5th grader and we have never done Latin or any foreign language. I've waited until now out of basic fear! I think we can take it on next year, but not sure which one to go into. I know Latina Christiana is recommended for this age group, but want to make sure we are getting the basics. Any suggestions?

[Mungo]

I would definitely go with Latina Christiana. Prima Latina is perfect for younger kids (I know lots of people who use it in K or 1st grade), but I think upper elementary kids would zoom through it too quickly. If you're nervous about teaching Latin, why not try the DVDs? I've not seen them myself, but have heard very good things about them. Good luck!

[abbeyej]

I would definitely go with LC1. It does start right from the beginning. I think Prima Latina is wonderful -- for very young kids who are ready to begin Latin.

Now if you're terrified, you *could* buy both and plan to go through Prima Latina *very* quickly (2-3 months) and then move on to LC1 (which you could also go through more quickly, since you would have covered many of the concepts once already in LC1). Saying "go faster" might not *sound* more relaxed, but I *do* think that doing PL at double time and then LC (racing through the parts that are *pure* review) would be even easier than jumping in with LC.

I can't imagine how someone could make PL last a year with a 4th or 5th grader though. Easy yes, but so slow, I think it could be terribly boring.

Either LC1, or PL *and* LC1 in a single year (which really would be even easier -- despite there being "more" books to go through).

[Lcoll]

I am just finishing my first year of teaching classically with no previous Latin experience! I did buy the DVD, but I found listening to the CD just for pronunciation was helpful enough. I used Latina Christiana I, and after one month, I was so comfortable with it, I picked up a friend's daughter, who is in seventh grade, and taught her too! The girls love Friday "Latin day" together. I even got LCII, and by the end of the year, am now teaching them some basic SN-v-DO sentences. You and your 4th & 5th graders will be able to handle LCI. It is so friendly to those who have no previous experience, but be careful of one thing--You will get hooked on Latin!!

[Patrice]

I struggled with this also. My solution is that I am getting LCI for my oldest daughter,who is 12. For my boys,who are 10,9,and 6 1/2, I will be using Prima Latina. The reason I chose PL for the boys is that they are not up to speed on grammar and writing. I also wanted their first venture into a foreign language to be pleasant,not overwhelming! Since I didn't have much "school stuff" to buy this year,I am getting the DVDs for both sets. The older boys may move up to LCI during the year but I won't be rushing,specially not with the 6yo. If I had just the older children,I would probably just do LCI with them,but I wanted to include the youngest also. Check out the Latin reviews at www.homeschoolchristian.com.

Wishing you the best in whatever you choose!

Patrice

[malcido]

I am using PL with my 9 year old son this summer with plans to move through it quickly and start LCI in September. I was also nervous about starting with LCI as I have no latin experience.

PL is so gentle---we are doing three lessons per week and will have completed it by the second week of August. My son is enjoying the lessons (for the most part) and retaining the information. In fact, his memorization is much better than mine---I'm spending a lot more time learning the prayers and vocabulary than he is, but we're both loving it. And my four year old son is saying 'Salve' and 'Vale' to everyone we meet! So far, so good :)

[rquebedo]

I am so glad that you posted this question. I have a 3rd grader a 1st grader and a K.. I purchased Prima because I knew that I was going to be using it for my younger two. My oldest has had a year of spanish so I am hoping that will be a jumping off point for him.

I have questions but I will post a new thread for them