Prima Latina Review

Prima Latina is a Latin Curriculum intended for 1st-3rd grade. I am using this curriculum with my first grader, Soleil. I researched a few different programs before settling on Prima Latina, and the fact that they offer an accompanying DVD was a huge selling point.

If you’re worried you could never teach your kids a foreign language you don’t speak, the DVD is a must. I am learning Latin right along with my first grader, and at the same pace!

Here’s what each lesson covers

Practical Latin. Each lesson starts with a ready-to-use phrase, such as Salve! (Hello)

Reading and pronouncing Vowels, Consonants, Diphthongs. The student learns to pronounce letters and read words. Did you know the Latin alphabet has no W?

Vocabulary. Each lesson gives vocabulary words to memorize. The student learns to say, read, and write the words.

Derivatives. I’m almost positive that at the age of six I had no idea what a derivative was. Soleil can not only tell you what that means, but she can tell you what Latin words some of our modern English words are derived from. I find this endlessly fascinating, but then I’m a word dork.

Prayer. Finally, the student learns a simple portion of a Latin prayer or doxology. They start by learning Oremus (or-ay-moos) which means Let us pray.

DVD Instruction Videos

The DVD features a very likeable teacher who plainly explains everything in the book. I appreciate this for the sake of pronunciation. They do have a CD available, but I prefer the DVD, especially since it’s my first year.

Notes

Prima Latina uses the ecclesiastical pronunciation, as opposed to Classical Latin.

While the student book is certainly useful, if you’re using this with a first grader it might not be necessary. I mainly use the Teacher Manualand do most of the work on our whiteboard, since Soleil gets plenty of writing practice in other subjects.

Please note that the links listed will take you to an affiliate link with Amazon, but this is not a sponsored review.