Slave Discipuli!
Oh yes, Latin. That dead language is like a Zombie that keeps coming back for more...or is it? Well, Latin really isn't so dead after all~and thank goodness for that. Pondering the necessity of it is really not such a stretch, especially since our English language is based on quite of bit of Latin root words. So why not revive the very core of our language and teach our youngsters to understand, speak and read it? I suppose the naysayers would state it is just too hard or difficult to even attempt. But alas-that is where Song School Latin comes in. Geared for the students in 1-2/3 grade (now that is really dependent on your student-so special needs kids, and those with reading difficulties could easily slip into this category. My 3rd grade dyslexic son is enjoying it and learning from it quite nicely), this program is a gentle approach to learning the mostly ignored and/or categorized under the "dead as a door nail" language option.
The program bundle contains all you need to jump start your student's Latin career. The lovely and nicely illustrated (with a cute monkey dude as the mascot) student worktext engages the student and offers just enough pencil to paper work for children this age. Accompanying the study is a CD containing the songs (noted in the wktxt) for the students to learn and sing along with (which is teaching them the Latin lesson/vocabulary) as they do their work. These little ditties are quite catchy, as we were finding ourselves (yes even me) singing them long afterward. The teacher's guide contains images of the student workbook pages with the answers, along with extra pages of practice for each lesson. The Latin Monkey Match Flash Card Game is yet another way to reinforce all the vocabulary the children will be exposed to. What's more, the website has coloring pages to print, and an online Flash Dash game for vocab reinforcement to ramp up the Latin experience.
I found little or no teacher prep was needed, which is always a huge plus for me. The lessons were short and not overstuffed with too much information, which can lead to confusion or frustration for the student. What I liked best about this program [the CD has both options on it] is that I could choose to teach the Classical version of Latin, or the Ecclesiastical one (we chose the latter) as our mode of instruction. Due to my son's reading issues, I have been very leery of introducing him to other languages, but I found this program to be gentle enough, so as not overwhelm him with things that will further delay his reading/English instruction progress. Moreover, he is enjoying it and that is ultimately the goal for me. For us, the Song School Latin program is a hit, so much so that he has asked if he can do their Greek program too! Now that speaks volumes to me.
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Classical Academic Press homepage
Song School info page
Set: $64.00 (includes TG, Student text, Song CD, and Monkey Match Flashcard game)
K-2/3 grade (good fit for struggling dyslexics 10 and under)
*Don't forget to find out what my TOS mates had to say about this, and many other fine homeschooling products over on our TOS Review Crew Homepage.
**Classical Academic Press provided me with a free Song School Latin kit (TG, Student Text, sampling of the Monkey Match Flash cards) so that I could use this with my child, in order to write this review. I did not receive any financial compensation for providing my honest opinion of this product.
