Best Latin Curriculum for Homeschoolers – Elementary

Please note: this article is part of a series on the best Latin homeschool curriculums for students of different ages. This article discusses the best homeschool Latin curriculums for elementary students. You may also want to check out our articles on the best homeschool Latin curriculums for high school and middle school students. If you are looking for other foreign language curriculums, check out our article Best Foreign Language Curriculum for Homeschoolers – Elementary

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Our picks for the best latin curriculum for elementary:

If you are thinking of teaching your child Latin, or have already begun doing so, kudos to you! Most of us homeschooling parents never learned Latin as kids, and most kids in public school today still do not have the option to do so. But Latin instruction is one of the most valuable experiences we can bring into our kids’ education as homeschoolers. By learning Latin, children come to better understand the English language. They learn that words have roots, often in Latin or other ancient languages, that help explain their meanings. This knowledge in turn helps with their vocabulary, spelling, and grammar development. Knowing Latin also helps prepare students to learn other foreign languages, especially Romance languages like Spanish, French, and Italian. The benefits of knowing even basic Latin can also extend into a range of other subjects, from science to art history!

Fortunately, there are several really great Latin homeschool curriculums available for elementary students, and they don’t require prior Latin knowledge on the part of parents. All of the programs we have recommended in this article are great, but they do have important differences, so keep reading to find out which one is best for your child.f

Best for Younger Elementary Students

Songschool Latin, Amy Rehn

If you want to introduce Latin to a younger elementary student, consider the fun and engaging Songschool Latin program. This program is music-based, helping kids learn Latin vocabulary and grammar with the help of catchy songs. Written work, study of the Latin alphabet, pronunciation exercises, and more activities are built into this user-friendly and dynamic children’s Latin program.

Not only is Songschool Latin fun, it is also a comprehensive and excellent Latin course for younger elementary students. The course is clearly structured with step-by-step weekly lessons that teach students writing, vocabulary, and Latin roots. The DVD instruction consists of 24 10-minute video lessons, and a flashcard game helps kids solidify the concepts they are learning. The CD includes fun songs that will help kids remember Latin vocabulary naturally. To begin Song School Latin, you will need to purchase the Song School Latin Book 1, the Teacher’s Materials book, and the DVD set. The coordinating Latin Monkey Match game is also highly recommended!

The materials for Songschool Latin are available individually or as a complete set.

Latin for Littles

Another excellent option for young elementary kids is Latin for Littles. This two-volume program aims to make Latin fun, interactive, and accessible for kids in grades K-2. The curriculum uses playful activities, games, songs, and visual aids to engage kids and help them grasp the basics of the language. Key features of this program include:

  1. Simplified language. This curriculum simplifies Latin grammar and vocabulary to suit the cognitive abilities of young children. It focuses on teaching basic vocabulary, phrases, and simple sentence structure.
  2. Interactive activities. This program includes activities like games, puzzles, role-playing, and story-telling to make the learning process fun and engaging.
  3. Visual aids. Colorful illustrations, flashcards, posters, and other visual aids are used to reinforce learning and help children associate Latin words with their meanings. 
  4. Songs and rhymes. Catch songs, chants, and rhymes are incorporated into this curriculum to help kids memorize vocabulary and grammar rules effortlessly.
  5. Cultural context. This program provides a gentle introduction to aspects of Roman culture, history, and mythology.

Overall, Latin for Littles provides young children with an excellent introduction to the Latin language using methods that are fun and engaging. Latin for Littles is available at Christian Book.

Latin for Children

If you’re looking for a comprehensive Latin curriculum for grades 3-7, consider the popular Latin for Children program. This curriculum provides a systematic approach to learning Latin grammar, vocabulary, and translation skills while also incorporating elements of Roman history and culture. The program is colorful and easy to follow for students and their parents, and no previous knowledge of Latin is necessary to effectively help your child through the program. 

This program teaches Latin in a structured and incremental manner. Grammar concepts such as noun declensions, verb conjugation, and sentence structure are taught gradually with ample practice exercises provided. The program also emphasizes the development of a strong foundation in Latin vocabulary. Students learn common Latin words and phrases through a variety of exercises, mnemonic devices, and contextual examples. Students also learn to translate texts between Latin and English, beginning with short sentences and progressing to longer passages from classical Latin literature. 

Latin for Children also introduces students to elements of Roman history, mythology, and culture to provide a broader understanding of the ancient world. Activities include learning about famous figures from Roman history, exploring Roman myths and legends, and discussing daily life in ancient Rome. The curriculum also includes other interactive activities, such as games, puzzles, and multimedia resources to make learning Latin engaging and enjoyable for students. 

Latin for Children includes three leveled primers. If your child is beginning Latin, you’ll want to start with Primer A. You’ll need the following items for the complete Primer A program:

Best All-Around Program

Prima Latina, Memoria Press

Memoria Press is a leader in Classical Christian curriculum, and its ancient language programs are especially excellent. Prima Latina is its elementary (grades 1-4) Latin program, designed to thoroughly prepare students for more rigorous Latin instruction in the secondary school years. The Prima Latina program is thorough, carefully structured, and engaging. 

>>Learn more about Memoria Press here<<

The program does an excellent job of guiding students through Latin vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in a structured, incremental way. No previous knowledge of Latin is required on the part of students or their parents. Students learn in a variety of ways, including through traditional writing and reading exercises, flashcards, a pronunciation audio CD, and instructional DVDs. English grammar concepts are taught in order to help students better understand Latin grammar. The program also includes prayers, hymns, and discussion of constellations. 

Parents appreciate that this program is easy to follow, with step-by-step lesson plans and assessments provided. The materials for Prima Latina can be purchased as a single set or individually. If purchasing individual materials, you’ll need to make sure to get the Student Book, the Teacher Manual, the flashcard set, the instructional DVD set, and the pronunciation CD.

Students who complete the Prima Latina program will be ready to transition into Memoria Press’s highly regarded Latina Christiana course in the later elementary years. If you’re interested in other ancient languages, check out Memoria Press’s excellent Elementary Greek series.

Best Video-Based Program

Visual Latin, Compass Classroom

If your elementary schooler is a visual learner, or if the idea of beginning Latin feels overwhelming to you, another great option to consider is the Visual Latin program. This is an excellent and user-friendly video-based curriculum that students can complete at their own pace. It requires minimal parental assistance, and most kids really have fun with the video-based lessons. No previous Latin knowledge is necessary for parents or students.

One of the benefits of Visual Latin is that it provides students with a strong foundation in English grammar and vocabulary at the same time that it teaches Latin reading and translation. Comprehension is emphasized more than memorization, so this is also a great program if your student struggles with traditional memorization-based curriculums. 

The program consists of two volumes. Each volume covers a full school year, with a video lesson once a week and printable PDF worksheets that can be completed by students independently. This program can be used through the high school years, so it’s a great option if you have kids of multiple ages who want to learn Latin together. Volume 1 and Volume 2 are both available independently, or they can be purchased together as a set.

Overall, Visual Latin is a fun and approachable program that will make the process of learning Latin fun for your child and easy for you. This is an especially good curriculum for children who are visual learners or struggle with traditional textbook curriculums.

Visual Latin is recommended for ages nine and up. If you have a younger elementary student, consider Songschool Latin instead.

Conclusion

Teaching Latin to a child – especially an elementary student – may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Prima Latina, Visual Latin, and Songschool Latin are all excellent programs that require no previous knowledge of Latin on the part of students or their parents. If you have questions about this topic or would like more information, please email us!