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If you expect a program with this title to be a gentle auditory introduction to Latin, you’ve nailed it! But be sure to note that this program is also well-constructed, easy-to-use, and FUN. After all, you have an almost-3D monkey illustrating each chapter, familiar tunes introducing the vocabulary, understandable explanations (i.e. Latin nouns are grouped into five families. These families are called declensions.), and just the right amount of practice. What more could you ask for as a painless way to infuse some Latin into your young child’s day? There are 31 chapters – each a week’s worth of instruction. Four or five new vocabulary words are introduced and featured in a song. These songs are primarily English with appropriate words in Latin and are often set to familiar tunes. (i.e. If you’re happy and you know it, touch your nose – na-res!) The words to each song are printed both in the student text and the teacher’s book along with the specific CD track where the song can be found. Actually, I should say “tracks” because each song and its Latin words are presented in two tracks – one with classical pronunciation and one with ecclesiastical. A two-page guide found in both the teacher and student books delineates the distinctions between the two pronunciations and concludes “ultimately the decision (about which to use) is not a significant one.”

Each chapter has a short lesson (grammar) which includes an historical linguistic tidbit as well as a famous Latin saying the student is to memorize. Some chapters include a story which intersperses Latin words with the English. Then it’s up to the student to Practice Your Latin (writing the words), Show What You Know (brief vocabulary identification), Grow Your English (English words with Latin roots), and Review Words (past vocabulary words). Often a cut-and-paste (or some other sort of hands-on activity) is included for reinforcement. Review chapters are included regularly – about every fourth or fifth chapter. The Student book is a worktext which includes the song CD. The Teacher book is identical to the Student book (but no CD) with answers filled in and teacher’s notes inserted as shaded boxes. While most moms/teachers will be able to figure out the correct answers, the notes and additional activities in the Teacher’s book flesh out the course. For extra vocabulary practice, consider the Latin Monkey Match Flashcard Game. This flashcard set contains over 100 Latin words (with the English translation appearing in small upside down type); use this set to play the suggested games, or simply use them as traditional flashcards. This program is designed as an introduction to Latin for Children but could be used as a stand alone, get-acquainted-with-Latin experience. ~ Janice

Customer Reviews

 
S. F. from S.E., IL wrote the following on 06/13/2008:
Have you heard the Silly Silly Chant yet? If not, you're in for a treat! Classical Academic Press is at it again...blending wacky humor with academically "lofty" lessons. The result? Primary students lay a foundation of Latin vocabulary upon which future linguistic mastery may be built. Vocabulary is presented by subject, with a logical flow (greeting words, making friends, family members, people...). I counted 110 Latin words in the student workbook, presented in 30 lessons, with bright colors and playful illustrations sure to inspire your budding scholar. Whereas with Latin for Children (CAP's next level text) offers an activity book separate from the student text, Song School Latin incorporates appealing activities within its lessons. The song and chant CD simplifies the teacher's job by providing catchy melodies and chants which make memory work nearly painless. Students will discover dramatic delights as they work through the audio tracks, including an assortment of improve-style accents woven through the Silly Silly Chant. As I've come to expect with CAP, the books are well designed. (Hats-off to Rob Baddorf and David Gustafson for superb illustrations and layout.) Within the student text are chapter-by-chapter and alphabetical glossaries. CD track information is printed inside the cover, with an end-of-the-year crossword puzzle printed inside the back. Both Classical and Ecclesiastical pronunciations are represented (though watch for an errata page on CAP's website for minor corrections). As an added and age-appropriate feature, handwriting practice is also sprinkled throughout the lessons. Overall, this program makes a pleasing presentation of Latin for our youngest scholars.

 
Kristanna R. from Bluefield, WV wrote the following on 11/21/2008:
Wow! This is a great product! I fell in love with studying Latin in high school. However, that was a long time ago. But I wanted to pass this beautiful language down to my children. So, now my children are 6 and 3 years old, and I thought it would be a good time to begin. I had been shopping around for an appropriate text for a few years and was not excited by the few options I found. Fortunately Song School Latin came on the market just in time. Even though my children do not particularly love to sing, I was excited about the song element of the program because it is such a painless way to memorize. Also, the amount of information the children were expected to master seemed appropriate for my 6 year old. And it looked like fun--guaranteed to appeal to young children! So, I bought Song School Latin at the beginning of the summer, I popped the CD into the car, and we sang the catchy tunes together all summer. It was my childrens' favorite CD through all of our road trips. They simply fell in love with it. It created great anticipation for learning this new, not-so-mysterious-anymore "Latin" they had heard me talking about. When the school year began, as the teacher, I could not have been happier! The book is so easy to use. (The teacher's manual is probably not necessary even if you have no Latin background--it really is that straight-forward.) The exercises are just the right length and do not require advance preparation. However, I have found it helpful to make flashcards for each of the vocabulary words to aid with review time. If you are considering teaching Latin to young children, this is a really great product regardless of your personal experience with the language. And, it's a great value. Personally, my favorite thing about this program is how my 3 year old is using Latin in his daily life. He often greets us with, "Salve" (hello) or, "Vale" (good-bye). And just this week when engaged in deep conversation about what he is going to become when he grows up, he said, "When I grow up and become a vir (Latin for "man")..." Not only was it really cute, but it reinforces my opinion that this program really does work (even for my 3 year old who just listens in the background)!