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First Form Latin, Second Form Latin

Publisher: Memoria Press
Author: Cheryl Lowe
Review last updated: June 2011
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First Form Latin

First Form Latin and Second Form Latin are the first of four levels in this projected series. Both may be used with students in fifth grade and up, but completing First Form Latin is equivalent to a one-year high school Latin course. Students who have completed Latina Christiana I should be able to move into First Form Latin with ease. Students who have completed Latina Christiana II should be almost ready for Second Form Latin. They will have not yet learned the perfect systems of the first two conjugations. This is covered in First Form Latin. Rather than having to do the complete First Form Latin, these students may use a free “Bridge Program” available from Memoria Press. First Form Latin and the other four books in this series will comprise a gentler introduction to Latin than some of the more challenging programs such as Henle Latin.

First Form takes a grammatical approach rather than a translation approach. It teaches students as if they are in the grammar stage of learning, which is actually true for beginning (or close to beginning) students in Latin no matter their actual grade level. That means students concentrate on learning vocabulary and grammatical forms through study, memorizations, and drill. The translation work students complete is less than in some other programs. However, in keeping with the stress on grammar skills, students learn to diagram sentences in both English and Latin. A famous Latin saying along with some brief tidbits from Latin history and culture are incorporated into each lesson.

First Form Latin teaches the first two verb conjugations (six indicative active tenses), five noun declensions, and first and second declension adjectives while introducing 185 vocabulary words. Second Form Latin reviews everything covered in First Form Latin. By the end, students will have added to the two conjugations learned in First Form the indicative active of the third and fourth conjugations and the present system passive voice of all four conjugations, five noun declensions (including er-ir nouns of the second declension and i-stem nouns of the third declension), third declension adjectives of one termination, personal pronouns, and prepositions, while adding another 180 vocabulary words.

Lessons in First and Second Form Latin are fully developed with detailed instructions. There are a number of components for the each course. You will need both the Teacher Manual and Teacher Manual Workbook & Test Key, two separate books sold as a set. Other core components are the Student Text, Student Workbook, and the Quizzes and Test book. Optional items are the Pronunciation CD, DVD’s, and flashcards.

The Teacher Manual explains how to teach the first course in the first twelve pages. Reading this section is essential for understanding how to work through the course components. First and Second Form Latin teach ecclesiastical or “Christian” pronunciation which is also explained in this section.

The Teacher Manual presents each lesson with detailed instructions and reproduced pages from the Student Text. Extra information that is usually related to grammar is sometimes included for the teacher’s benefit. The teacher might share some or all of this with students if it seems appropriate and helpful.

Lessons begin with oral recitation and review. The recitation aspect of this course is vital, so even if you use DVD’s, someone needs to be present to supervise recitation and other activities. This is not an independent study course. The “Grammar – Chalk Talk” section of the lesson is for presenting the lesson content, using direct instruction and a white board or chalk board. Teaching sessions are interactive. Much of this is scripted in the Teacher Manual. Students follow along in the Student Text. The Student Text includes charts and grammatical information in appendices.

Next, you shift to the Student Workbook where the parent/teacher will assist students as they work through the four to six pages of exercises. Student Workbook pages are reproduced with answers in the Teacher Manual Workbook and Key. Grammar questions to be used for review at the beginning of lessons and Vocabulary Drill Sheets are included in the Student Workbook as well as in the Key. Quiz and test answer keys are also in the Key. This might sound a little confusing, but once you sort it out, it should be very easy to work through the lessons. Separating course content into the two separate books for students makes it easier for students to review from the text while also making the content seem very manageable.

Oral drill from the Student Text follows, with a quiz or test wrapping up the lesson. All of these steps should be spread out over a week for each lesson. The publisher suggests supplementing for students who are able to complete lessons very quickly with Lingua Angelica or Famous Men of Rome.

The comprehensive lessons with detailed plans enable parents/teachers without a Latin background to easily teach the courses. Nevertheless, teachers must prepare each lesson in advance. Those without Latin background should work through each entire lesson prior to teaching while those familiar with Latin might be able to prepare without completing all exercises in advance.

These are teacher- intensive courses, so if you are short on time, consider using the DVD’s to help lighten the teaching load. Courses might be used with a single student but would work better with two or more students working together, especially for recitation and participation in the optional games.

Student Texts and Student Workbooks are printed in two colors, and Student Texts have occasional black-and-white illustrations.

There is some Christian content, but it is fairly minimal. One Latin sentence translates to “Christ gives faith.” This was one of the rare examples I could find. Pages in the appendices have some prayers in Latin (e.g., “Pater Noster,” “Sanctus and Benedictus,” “Agnus Dei,” “Ave Maria”) and their translations which are optional.

First Form Latin might be best for junior high students who need a slower pace than most high school level programs yet are ready for more substantial content than is offered by most programs for the elementary grades. While it works as a high school program as well, I would definitely recommend supplementing as mentioned above or consider moving at a faster pace if students can handle it.

Pricing


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    • First Form Latin Text

    First Form Latin Text

    Cheryl Lowe

    First Form Latin Student Workbook

    First Form Latin Student Workbook

    Cheryl Lowe

    Second Form Latin, Student Text

    Second Form Latin, Student Text

    Cheryl Lowe

        Instant Key

        • Suitable for: group or one-on-one instruction
          Need for parent/teacher instruction: high; DVDs might reduce this but won't eliminate the need
          Prep time needed: non
          Teacher's manual: essential
          Educational philosophy: classical
          Religious perspective: mildly Christian

        Publisher's Info