Recitation article in Summer 2005 issue

[Jeannette Williams]

I've never been on a forum before, so I don't really know who will answer this question. I called the office to get help but was directed here. I prefer to speak to someone, however, because I don't know if I can explain myself well this way. My question regards conducting a recitation, according to the article in the most recent Classical Teacher issue. I'm excited about the idea, but it isn't clear enough what exactly to do.

Starting with prayers and songs is easy enough, but then you lose me. "Students should complete seven sets of declension endings including two each for the 2nd and 3rd declensions...roll through the 70 endings." WHAT 70 endings? For those of us who grew up with no Latin, more description is required. On p. 133 of LC II workbook there are 70 case endings, but that would include 4th and 5th declension, and the article also says two each for 2nd and 3rd, which would be more than 70 endings. So you see, I'm really confused as to what we are being told to do.

With regards to verbs, the article says to do 6 tenses. Page 132 lists only 3 tenses, but I do have some Latin cards from Emmanuel books that have 6 tenses. Just the indicative, or the subjunctive also?

As for the English grammar, I think it would be a wonderful help to busy moms if you could list all these things for us. With a bit of thought and my Voyages in English in front of me I'd be able to answer all those questions, but it would probably never get done for that reason.

I would very much like to do recitations with my children (ages 15 to 1) but without it a bit more spelled out for me I don't think it'll happen! I hope you can help me.

Mrs. Jeannette Williams

[Maria]

Jeannette,

Leigh Lowe, who wrote the recitation article you're talking about, seems to be writing the article for people who are third of the way through Henle I. Since Henle I is more advanced Latin, this explains why you are so confused.

"Students should complete seven sets of declension endings including two each for the 2nd and 3rd declensions...roll through the 70 endings." WHAT 70 endings? For those of us who grew up with no Latin, more description is required. On p. 133 of LC II workbook there are 70 case endings, but that would include 4th and 5th declension, and the article also says two each for 2nd and 3rd, which would be more than 70 endings. I think you might want to re-count the endings on p. 133 of the LC 2 workbook. If you look closely, you will see that the workbook is including the two sets each for the 2nd and 3rd declensions. A little more explanation: there are five declensions; each declension has ten endings; this makes fifty endings; however, add one additional set each to the 2nd and 3rd declensions to get seventy endings total.


With regards to verbs, the article says to do 6 tenses. Page 132 lists only 3 tenses, but I do have some Latin cards from Emmanuel books that have 6 tenses. Just the indicative, or the subjunctive also? All six tenses are not taught in LC 1 and 2; you will get to all of them in Henle I. For now just recite the tenses you've learned. When you get to them in Henle I, you will want to recite both the indicative and the subjunctive.


As for the English grammar, I think it would be a wonderful help to busy moms if you could list all these things for us. With a bit of thought and my Voyages in English in front of me I'd be able to answer all those questions, but it would probably never get done for that reason. You will not need an English grammar book to recite the English grammar part of the recitation. LC 1 and 2 and Henle's books teach you all the necessary English grammar as you go. You will have no problem. You might want to check out the following thread with a similar question at http://www.memoriapress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236.

You are not supposed to recite all seventy endings and all the tenses if you haven't learned them yet. You're only supposed to recite what you've learned. And the same for the English grammar part. Leigh Lowe is just giving an example and she just happens to be using Henle students as her example.

If you have any further questions, be sure to post them.

Hope this helps,
Maria

[Jeannette Williams]

Maria,

Thanks so much, I feel much better. I have one student in Henle I, another in LC II, another finished LCI and working on Lingua Angelica before starting LCII next year, and one doing just roots right now. I am introducing all of my children to prayers and hymns. Knowing I don't have to do all that for all ages is a relief! I just thought the idea was teach them now, and when they get to it it'll already be familiar. But adding to the recitation as they learn makes more sense (and makes it easier on me!)

Thanks again, Jeannette

[Maria]

Jeannette,

You're welcome! I'm so glad to be of help. :)

Maria