Greek in the Primary stage?
If this is covered in LCC, or elsewhere in the forum, I'd be happy for the direction.
Should Greek be started in the Primary stage, along with Latin? If so, when is the right time to introduce it?
I'm of a mind to start it on a two year lag, e.g. after phonics start on Latin through PL for a couple of years then, as they start LC1 introduce Greek.
Or is Greek best introduced later, say around 5th/6th grade with the (planned) transition to Henle?
I've heard from classicist friends of mine that one should start with Homeric or Attic Greek before attempting Koine. I've noticed the opposite progression recommended both here and on the Memoria Press forum.
I've also noticed a lack of Attic or Homeric Greek resources for young homeschoolers, so we may have no choice to start our boys with Koine if we're going to do this.
My Latin is pretty good, but Greek put me to sleep in high school, so if someone with more Greek could summarize the differences, and provide some insight into where to start, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks.
That clarified the matter. It gives me a sense of how much time my wife and I have to resuscitate our Latin and Greek.
We're looking forward to LCC2. We've not had a chance to read the original version, but since the update is coming soon we'll wait to buy.
Thanks for all the work you have put into it.
Hey, Andrew
Though I've not used it, I've heard that the HEY, ANDREW! TEACH ME SOME GREEK curriculum is good for younger kids.
http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html
Hope this helps,
Jeff
Two or three years after Latin...
is what I generally recommend.
Many students aren't really ready for Latin until 2nd or 3rd grade, so that puts Greek at 5th or 6th. In the forthcoming new edition of LCC, I recommend starting Greek in 6th. This allows students to get a good grounding in Latin and also to move directly from Christine Gatchell's Elementary Greek curriculum directly into a high school text (Koine or Attic).
Unfortunately it's difficult to find ancient Greek materials for younger kids. The only curricula I'm aware of teach Koine, so that's what most people do. Homeric and even Attic are more complex; I suspect that's why there are no curricula for them for the younger set. Koine is somewhat easier - it was the common tongue, not an artificial literary language like Homeric - and many people are familiar with the Biblical texts that are the basis of the elementary curricula. That makes it a good starting point for kids.
Hope that helps!
-Drew
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"I wonder how far I shall carry any opinion with me when I plead for active effort to revive the general use of Latin?" - Hilaire Belloc
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