Next step for my daughter?

[kincaidknight]

My daughter is 8 1/2 (2nd grade). She did Prima Latina orally and this year she completed LC 1. We've thrown in Minimus for fun reading and activities and dabbled in Little Latin Reader A from CHC.

I didn't think she'd be ready for LC 2 quite yet since it looks like such a big leap for someone who will be in 3rd grade. So, I thought about trying Lively Latin's Big Book 1 as a review that will also have some things not yet covered in Memoria Press' programs. But, now I'm wondering if she should try First Form or if she might be ready for LC 2 afterall. All along, I've been comfortable weaving together different curricula for constant review, adding interest, and keep ing her from reaching Henle too soon.

Any advice for her age and situation?

I'd appreciate it!

Kristin

[tanya]

Kristin,

It does sound like your daughter might need to slow down and review since she is so young. She would be a good candidate for First Form. It will review the knowledge she has, which will solidify it, while introducing new material along the way. The great advantage is the workbook that incorporates review in every lesson while drilling the new material. You could look at First Form and then return it if it doesn't look like a good fit to you, but I do think you would benefit from looking at it.

Do you live in an area we are attending a homeschool convention in? You could always preview it there. We are going to Williamsburg, Winston-Salem, Orlando, Richmond, Louisville, San Antonio, Atlanta, Concord, and LA.

Tanya

[kincaidknight]

I live in the Kansas City area.

Why might First Form be a better fit for a younger child than LC 2? What are the main differences between the two in their scope/sequence and presentation?

Do you think a review with another program would confuse the issue or do you think that is actually a helpful way to review things through a different lens and solidify knowledge before moving on?

We will use Memoria Press' recommendations and products as our spine, but do you think that an 8 year old who has completed LC 1 can move ahead without any other type of review to slow things down a bit? How can a parent assess the child's readiness for LC 2 or First Form?

She's my oldest and my guinea pig. She loves Latin and is doing very well with it. But, I'm not sure what our next step should be. I don't want her moving too fast and becoming easily frustrated if it's too tough, too soon. But, I don't want her to get bored either. I need to find that point of appropraite challenge!

I appreciate any help!

Kristin

[tanya]

Well, Kristin, we aren't going anywhere near you! I understand your concern based on your daughter's age. The only major difference between LCII and First Form as far as content goes is: First Form covers 5 declensions and 6 verb tenses in the 1st-2nd conjugations and LCII covers 5 declensions and 3 verb tenses in the 1st-4th conjugations.

The really major difference in the two programs is the format. First Form has 4-5 pages of exercises for each lesson in a separate workbook and LCII is formatted like LCI, with fewer exercises. Also, First Form has more detailed teacher helps. But either program would be fine for your daughter. It really just comes down to a matter of preference. First Form is going to have more review in it due to the separate workbook. Some people whose children are very young are completing LCII and then using First Form as a review to really solidify their grammar.

I think you have realized that there is no real rush since you have started Latin early in your daughter's education. I'd just do whatever seems the best fit for you and the program that you would most enjoy together.

Tanya