Curriculum
Ideas A growing area of curriculum suggestions, as well as ideas on how
to homeschool inexpensively. Realistic, affordable ideas, as well as
reality checks!
Leadership
Position Papers
Opinions, white
papers, and sometimes controversial papers from HSC and others about
homeschooling from a Christian worldview.
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Laws & Support Individual pages for states and countries to help you with state-specific
questions, including book suggestions, driver's ed, support groups,
and more.
The Latin
Road to English Grammar by Barbara Beers.Volumes
I and II are $149 each, and Volume III is $169.Available from http://www.thelatinroad.com
The Latin Road
to English Grammar
provides a simultaneous study of Latin and English grammar.The author, Barbara Beers, recommends the program for children as
young as fifth grade who have finished a basic phonics curriculum such
as Romalda Spaldings Writing
Road to Reading.The Latin Road to English Grammar is a program that encourages the
parent to learn along with the child.Three levels designed for one year of study each are available.A complete set of Volume I and student books
for Volumes II and III were provided for review.
Volume I
The Latin Road
to English Grammar
uses a notebook approach to learning.Both the parent and the student must copy information, charts,
and paradigms, and complete exercises to organize into a three-ring
binder in tabbed sections.According to the author, this method of learning
does far more to instill the information into your mind than a mere
workbook method.Mrs. Beers
recommends that the parent complete all exercises about a week in advance
of the student.
The
parents binder is actually the teachers manual with the tabs already
set up.Handwritten example
pages illustrate what the students notebook should look like.The teachers book also includes chapter by
chapter teaching instructions with suggested daily lesson plans, resources
for teaching such as large print charts and a map of the Roman Empire,
and answers for the exercises, worksheets, and tests.
The
student text provides lessons in the form of sections of grammar, vocabulary,
derivative study, exercises, and a reading.The chapter generally begins with a lesson in an English grammar
concept, explained in simple, brief language, and then moves on to the
application of that idea in Latin.All tenses (active voice) of first conjugation verbs, first and
second declension nouns, adjectives, and adverbs are among the subjects
covered in this level.The vocabulary section shows the Latin word,
English meaning, and a derivative.At least twenty translation exercises are provided to copy in
the chapter, and worksheets of two to four pages that cover all aspects
of the material taught in each chapter may be torn out of the back of
the student book.The reading practice sections have selections
from the Bible (Pater Noster, Psalms, Christmas story) as well as patriotic
writings (America, Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America.)Black and white clip art type illustrations
are on some pages.
The
support materials in level one are numerous.A packet of seven tests, an incredibly thorough, laminated quick
reference chart in very tiny print, and large print flash cards on heavy
card stock are included.The
audio, now on two CDs, has all of the Latin vocabulary spoken with ecclesiastical
pronunciation.The audio quality
sounds as if it were moved over from the tapes rather than being rerecorded,
and the hiss of the analog technology is apparent.
Volume II
After
a review of the first level, this volume works through second and third
conjugation of verbs, third declension of nouns, cardinal and ordinal
numbers, and more on adjectives.More
readings from the Bible and some historic information such as an adaptation
from Caesars Gallic Wars and the story of the
Colosseum are included.
Volume III
Volume
III begins with review of the first two levels and continues with more
complex concepts such as irregular adjectives, uses of the ablative
case, and subordinate clauses.Fourth
conjugation and the subjunctive mood of verbs are addressed, along with
fourth and fifth declension of nouns.Readings move more into Roman history with selections about the
Punic Wars, Cicero, and the Romans treatment of Christians, but there
are still selections from the Bible and American history.
Recommendation:The Latin Road to English Grammar offers
a thorough study of Latin and English grammar and brings Latins contributions
to the English language to light through study of derivatives.The author takes a systematic, organized approach
that will bring joy to those who love logical teaching methods.While The
Latin Road to English Grammarincludes
readings from Roman times, it does not address history and Roman culture
to the extent of many of its competitors.This curriculum has great appeal to Christian
families with its many readings from the Bible.
The Latin Road
to English Grammar
would probably not be a good choice for a less than motivated parent
or a child who dislikes writing.The
program is intended for the parent to learn in advance of the student
so diligent planning and work is required.The notebook method calls for extensive copying that might frustrate
some students.Even so, with the very nice flash cards and the step-by-step method,
all students who are willing to take the time to study will have a great
foundation in Latin after working through The Latin Road to English Grammar.
Visit our Christian
Trivium Message Board, where you can discuss classical Christian
homeschooling, and discuss your favorite Latin products.
The above reviews
are the opinions of the reviewers. Products, rather than companies or
authors, have been reviewed. You may want to research companies further
before choosing to buy any of the products reviewed. The reviews may
or may not reflect the opinions of the management of HomeschoolChristian.com.
