If you are looking for a gentle introduction to Latin for your middle schooler, Latin's Not So Tough by Karen Mohs is certainly worth consideration. She begins with the basics; letter sounds. Next she takes the student through some beginning vocabulary. By the end of the course they are able to translate some simple Latin sentences.
The answer key gives comprehensive answers, teaching tips, scheduling ideas and some English derivatives. However, is by no means a scripted guide, if you are looking for detailed instructions this may not be for you. It certainly appears to me that the student workbook is meant to provide the bulk of the instructions. I found this curriculum to be fairly easy to hand to a student and have them work on it independently.
In terms of other Latin on the market it is my opinion that this is less rigorous than others I have seen. That said I have not done extensive research on the matter, just some quick digging around on the internet. This lighter approach ended up to be a fairly good fit for my family since my middle schoolers are in a very challenging high school Spanish class at the moment.
This set is priced reasonably:
Latin Level 3 Student Workbook $21.95
Full Text Answer Key $21.95
Pronunciation CD for Latin Levels One, Two, and Three $10.00
http://www.greeknstuff.com/latin.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
RE: Writing Tales
Over the years I have used a vast variety of writing curricula, I have to say Writing Tales by Amy Olsen is my favorite to date. Her approach is fun, creative, classic, and the kids don't mind doing the assignments.
The program is based on the classic 12 levels of writing from the Greeks known as Progymnasmata. The theory behind this big word is that students learn great writing from imitating well written classic models. Olsen uses excerpts from Aesop's Fables, James Baldwin, and the like as a basis for model to be copied.
Writing Tales is fairly comprhensive in that it covers grammar, puncuation, vocabulary, and spelling in addition to writing. Additionally, there is copy work, giving it a bit a of Charlotte Mason flair as well.
Writing Tales is available in levels 1 and 2, both laid out in a similar fashion making it easy to transition from level 1 to level 2. The consumable student workbook for level 1 is $19.95 and the teacher guide $24.94. Level 2 runs $24.95 for the student workbook and $32.95 for the instructor guide.
The basic structure of both levels works like this:
Day 1, read the story, discuss details of plot, main character, theme, and have the child give an oral summary
Day 2, copy work and grammar
Day 3, vocab and writing based on the vocabulary words
Day 4, review and practice grammar concepts
Day 5, write a rough draft retell of the story
The following week looks similar to the first and lead up to a final draft of the retell where the child is to add creative flair to their original story.
This curriculum is very well laid out and easy to follow. One of my favorite features of the curricula is that in level two kids have the opportunity to sketch out some of their story ideas during the rough draft giving them yet another creative outlet.
Suffice to say this is a fantastic writing curriculum that does more than teach writing. It is broken down into doable lessons with clear directions from the teacher guide, and my kids have enjoyed her fresh approach to teaching writing. I highly recommend Writing Tales, my youngest will get the opportunity to use both levels and a I am tickled about that.
http://writing-tales.com/ will get you to the web site where you can look at a good representation of the materials.
The program is based on the classic 12 levels of writing from the Greeks known as Progymnasmata. The theory behind this big word is that students learn great writing from imitating well written classic models. Olsen uses excerpts from Aesop's Fables, James Baldwin, and the like as a basis for model to be copied.
Writing Tales is fairly comprhensive in that it covers grammar, puncuation, vocabulary, and spelling in addition to writing. Additionally, there is copy work, giving it a bit a of Charlotte Mason flair as well.
Writing Tales is available in levels 1 and 2, both laid out in a similar fashion making it easy to transition from level 1 to level 2. The consumable student workbook for level 1 is $19.95 and the teacher guide $24.94. Level 2 runs $24.95 for the student workbook and $32.95 for the instructor guide.
The basic structure of both levels works like this:
Day 1, read the story, discuss details of plot, main character, theme, and have the child give an oral summary
Day 2, copy work and grammar
Day 3, vocab and writing based on the vocabulary words
Day 4, review and practice grammar concepts
Day 5, write a rough draft retell of the story
The following week looks similar to the first and lead up to a final draft of the retell where the child is to add creative flair to their original story.
This curriculum is very well laid out and easy to follow. One of my favorite features of the curricula is that in level two kids have the opportunity to sketch out some of their story ideas during the rough draft giving them yet another creative outlet.
Suffice to say this is a fantastic writing curriculum that does more than teach writing. It is broken down into doable lessons with clear directions from the teacher guide, and my kids have enjoyed her fresh approach to teaching writing. I highly recommend Writing Tales, my youngest will get the opportunity to use both levels and a I am tickled about that.
http://writing-tales.com/ will get you to the web site where you can look at a good representation of the materials.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
RE: Baking Soda the Wonder Cleaner
Everyone is probably aware of the many cleaning properties of good ole baking soda. I came across one I had not herd of a couple years back and wish I had know it sooner. Drum roll please, if you have food baked on, caked on, stuck on, or otherwise adhered to your cooking vessel make a paste of baking soda and water, let it set and it will wipe away with remarkable ease. Often times you don't have to wait very long to get the grime off other times more patients is required. You will never need SOS pads again.
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