Latin for Americans: Latin text used in schools; anyone here used it?
To what other curricula does it compare? What will the student who uses this book be primarily prepared to do? Read, translate, write Latin? Is it *like* another book, say, Latin Book One? Wheelocks?
I am looking for post-LfcB courseware. I saw Latin in the Christian Trivium last week at a homeschool show and was very impressed with it, but it involves a little bit of a backstep (not a big deal, but not nothing, either). One of the things that I liked about it was the explicit teaching of English grammar.
But for another reason that is too long to explain, I also need to understand Latin for Americans as an option. Can anyone give me any feedback on this book?
Sorry to be so all-over-the-map in this request. My lack of focus is probably reflective of the fact that I don't really know what I want to do in this arena yet. Thanks for bearing with me.
I have a set of these too.
Mine are also from the 40's to 50's and I have all 3 books. I looked through the first one and it doesn't look hard to use. My dad who took years of latin thought it was a pretty good series but again it is probably a bit different from the one they use today.
This one is similiar to Cambridge in that you translate a lot of cultural information.
Closeacademy
2 dds
SOTW I, RS A & B, HWT PK, SWR, CLNR I, Andrew Greek I
I have an old edition of
I have an old edition of Latin for Americans (First Book) that I bought years ago in a used book store. It was printed in 1956. I don't know how much help I could be. I have Wheelock's Latin, which is what I learned Latin with in college. I haven't taught anyone Latin yet - my oldest is 4. The only reason I really have this Latin for Americans book is because I like old books. I think it may be similiar to the new edition, so I'll try to give you some information, although the only thing I can compare it to is Wheelock's. It teaches the classical pronunciation. It introduces short readings in Latin, and then it teaches some vocabulary and grammar in connection with the readings. It refers to English to explain similarities and differences in grammar quite a bit, which may help kids. It has "English Word Studies" sections. It has short lessons with short vocabulary lists (under 10) that come from the short reading sections. It introduces grammar in a bit different order, but it provides more comparison to English than Wheelock's. I think it has quite a bit of review built in. Although the grammar isn't spelled out so clearly in the lessons as in Wheelock's, it has grammar charts in the back, and it stresses grammar.
I'm not sure what you are looking for, but I like this text. I haven't begun to look at Latin texts, but I think this one looks good. It has lots of pictures and cultural information. Each unit begins with a reading about Romans. I think these could help kids stay interested. The text seems very user friendly and geared towards kids. I think it could provide a solid understanding of Latin grammar. This is the first time I've really looked through it much, and I really do like it. I have never used or looked at any text other than Wheelock's, though.
I hope I helped.