Ditch LC II and to go First Form?

[amyco]

I am in a quandry. My children, 3rd and 5th grade, are currently in LCII, lesson VIII. I anticipate that we will finish it by Christmas, resuming after a summer break. They are doing well (5th grader has easier time than the 3rd grader) and have also completed Prima Latina and LCI.

I am hearing lots of good things about First Form, though. I know it's available now for beta testing, but that kind of scares me as I am learning too and don't want many errors to have to watch out for! Also, I have invested a good deal of money into the LCII set, including Ludere Latine and we are only 1/3 into it.

Would it be overkill to finish LCII this fall and then start FF? Or should I cut my losses and just start FF now?

I am concerned that my younger student will not be ready for Henle I after we finish LCII which is the usual progression as I understand it. But I am also concerned that FF might be too much review for the older student.

I would really appreciate any suggestions or advice. Our long term goal is Latin reading fluency.

[tanya]

Hello!

I don't believe you will be able to keep your children together in Latin much longer. I find a large divide between 3rd and 5th grades as far as ability developmentally. Older students can just move more quickly through Latin and younger students need to slow down and spend lots of time reciting forms and memorizing vocabulary.

I think it is fine to finish LCII, but I don't know that your 5th grader will then need First Form. But I would highly recommend that your 3rd grader do it because the review would solidify the grammar before moving on. I actually think that First Form will be a perfect fit for your younger child.

As far as your older child goes, First Form would be mostly review. The major difference between First Form and LCII is that First Form teaches all 6 tenses of verbs and LCII only teaches 3 tenses. I would suggest that you beta test our Second Form curriculum with your older child next year. We are going to put a couple of bridge lessons at the beginning of Second Form that will connect with LCII and bring everyone to the same place - whether they completed First Form or LCII.

I know that putting your children in two different classes complicates your life, but I really believe that moving your youngest through too quickly will undermine what you are trying to do - especially since you do have the goal of reading Latin literature. There is no rush to get through this grammar. Latin is like math - it's hard to do upper level math until you've taken the time to memorize the multiplication tables so that you get instant recall.

I have also found that students retain Latin about like math - after a summer break, you really have to review thoroughly before moving into new material.

I hope this is helpful. I would be glad to talk further with you about it.

Tanya

[amyco]

Tanya, Thank you very much for your response. I had a sinking feeling that it would be the case that I need to separate my children's Latin studies. It's just such a highlight of our day! You are also right that the children forget so much over summer. That happened to us last year and it took nearly a month to get back up to speed.

Here is my plan, after consulting with my oldest. She does not want to quit LCII, so we are going to work through the summer for them both to finish it. Hearing that there will be bridge lessons into Second Form is a huge relief for me! We will join the beta test for Second Form for her in the fall. And then I will put my younger child in First Form.

I was worried about how I am going to conduct two different Latin teaching times, but it occurred to me that when we are doing our chants and recitations, the older can surely sit in and review. Then when it's time for her to review her new material, the younger one can just not participate and do his own work. I think it won't be so bad after all! Other than the part where there are two different books and lessons for me to stay on top of.

Thanks again. Do you have any idea when Second Form will be released for beta? Somewhere around August or Sept. would be ideal for us.

Amy

[tanya]

Amy,

I'm sorry to have complicated your life. But I know from my own teaching experience, that when we had a recitation that involved multiple grade levels, the younger ones always learned the forms from listening to the older ones. Sometimes they would know them a couple of years before they were actually introduced to them in their Latin classes. Then, when they were introduced, they weren't nearly as intimidating. And it is always good for older students to recite all the forms regularly. There is so much memorization required in Latin and reciting it really grounds it in students' minds.

I am hoping to have Second Form available in Aug. I would like to put your name on the list of people to contact if you will send me your name and email address. My email is tanya@memoriapress.com.

I think you are making all of the right decisions for your children.

Tanya