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Memorize the Latin endings?
Students ask me all the time. "Should I memorize the Latin endings?" I say what no Latin teacher ever says. "Maybe." There is nothing at all wrong with memorizing all of the Latin endings. Some of my best students are from the Classical Conversation world. They...
The World to the Wise Podcast
I am a little disappointed. I have been in Greece for a month now. I am here to learn modern Greek as rapidly as I can. The "rapid" part? It isn't happening. One problem is, I am just not finding much to listen to. I am an auditory learner. That's not entirely...
Fall Asleep Learning!
The other day, my daughters received some advice from their piano teacher. "Practice piano just before bed," she told them. She then explained that their brains would review the skill while they slept. You can use the same technique while learning Latin. At night,...
Unfortunately, I am limiting the number this year…
Warning: For the first time ever, due to popularity, I am limiting the number of students whose work I will grade.
What if I fall behind in a live class?
I received this question: Hello, I am wondering about students who may require extra time completing Latin I... Specifically, my son, who has quite a high learning potential, also has to deal with some learning challenges (processing speed/ability, made more difficult...
Toxicophobia
In class yesterday, we looked at the Greek word for fear, phobia. There are, of course, so many English words derived from this Greek word. This one, though, I found particularly fascinating. Toxicophobia: the fear of poison; A morbid fear of poisons, or the fear of...
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia: fear of long words. 🙂 From hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian, an extension of sesquipedalian with monstrum (monster) and a misspelled form of hippopotamus. The hippo and monstro part were added to exaggerate the length of the word...
It’s me against the world, and the world is winning.
This is more of a rant than a "tip of the week". Every year I take students through Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. Every year I ask myself, "Why am I doing this to these poor students? And, Why am I doing this to myself?" I personally am quite interested in...
Henle Latin or Visual Latin?
I received this question: We are trying to decide between Visual Latin and Henle. Can you tell me how they are alike/different? Are they comparable in difficulty? Does Visual 1 and Henle 1 cover the same ground? Any comparisons you can give me that would be...
Errata: Mistakes in test #57.
I received this comment: On Visual Latin quiz 57 problem number 43 the word Vinum is translated as vine in the answer key. We wondered if the correct translation would possibly be wine? Here is my reply: You found a mistake. Thank you! 43. Vinum A) vine B)...
Tests and Quizzes.
Let me ask a question. Did you take a bunch of tests and quizzes in school? Here is another question. Did those tests and quizzes prepare you for life? I took a bunch of tests and quizzes in school. Over time, I became quite good at taking tests. Then, I graduated....
Torschlusspanik?
This may take a minute, but hang in there with me. I am going to try to make this one worthwhile. As you probably know, I moved my family to a Greek island about a month ago. I have wanted to reach fluency in Greek for some time now. It just was not happening in...
Online Henle questions
I received this series of questions: I want to sign my son up for next year's Henle Latin class with grading. I have a couple of questions: I want to sign my son up for next year's Henle Latin class with grading. I have a couple of questions: 1. When do I sign up,...
Source Flix
After three weeks of travel, my family and I are finally in Greece. I am exhausted from travel and will keep this short. My tip for this week is simple. Check out this site: http://sourceflix.com/ Because of European border laws, my family was not able to enter...
Memrise
In about three weeks, Duo Lingo will release Greek. I can't wait. Meanwhile, I guess I'll just have to wait. This week, one of my students told me about an alternative. Memrise is an online language training course that looks promising. They have a lot of...
Subscription questions…
I received the following questions: Does the $25 and $50 per month class include the live classes too or just recorded? It also states all classes. Does this mean Lingua Latina as well? I'm trying to figure out if we should try and finish Henle 1 over the summer...
Henle 2 or Lingua Latina?
I received this comment: Hello....I have 2 students in 9th grade and we are finishing Henle 1 through the Classical Conversations program. We have had to pare down the workload considerably just to be able to keep up. We will not be in the CC program next year and I...
Online class emergency…
If you are not in one of my current online classes, feel free to ignore this blog. It feels good to ignore unimportant stuff. I can help you feel good. If you are in one of my current online classes, this message is for you. Well, snap. It has happened. What I...
Latin 3?
I received this question: Let me clarify. You mean that if my homeschool student has gotten through Visual Latin 1 and 2, she can then use Lingua Latina for her third year Latin. Right? Starting with the first book? The one you use for First year Latin? My daughter is...
After Visual Latin?
I received this question: Hi there! My Kiddos (grades 4 & 6) will be starting Visual Latin I (with Lingua Latina) this August and will continue with Visual Latin II. I wonder if you could point me in the direction of where to go once Visual Latin II is completed?...
Comics in Latin
I received this question: My husband was mentioning Latin comic books. Do you know of any that you would recommend? Our oldest is 13 (if that influences what you'd recommend). Thanks! We enjoy the Visual Latin series...I have learned so much, and I enjoy hearing...
Errata: Quiz 23
I received this comment: We have a question about Visual Latin I Quiz 23, number 19. We expected the answer to be "D", but it is marked "C" in the key. Doesn't "illi" mean "those"? My 4th-grade daughter and I are making great progress with Visual Latin. We also...
A portable library
My family and I are overseas for a while. I am here to work. We are currently in Jerusalem. In my profession, I use a lot of books. I need these books for work. Lots and lots of Latin and Greek books. To move overseas, each of us carried one backpack. We also...
Per family, or per student?
I received this comment: I have been trying to do this on my own and I realize I do not know enough and need your help!!! Ha! My inquiry to you is about the cost of grading for the year, which I understand is $500. Is that the cost per each child? I will have two...
Confined to bed? Learn a language!
I can barely type. For the last three days, I've barely been able to stand. I've stayed in bed and slept. How is it that when you are sick, even sleep is exhausting? Not sure what hit me. Like Katy Perry's boyfriend, I am hot and cold. Unlike her boyfriend, I can...
No classes for three weeks.
I received this question: If we were to sign up now, what lesson will class be on for tomorrow 3/16? Are archived classes available? Here is my reply: Good morning! There are no classes this week (March 16), next week (March 23), and the week after (March 30). I am...
Two very common questions…
I received two very common questions: 1. Do you have a recommendation for a good Latin-English Lexicon that the kids can use? Mine are Latin-German so not as helpful. 2. Will you give some info on your pronunciation on the "c". I hear it has the "k" sound at times but...
Flexible Latin classes?
I received this question: Regarding your classes, if my 15-year-old begins your Latin program in September this coming year and is unable to finish it (struggles with the learning) by the end of the year can he continue until he completes it (i.e.,through the summer)...
Visual Latin 18 – Indirect objects?
I received this inquiry: In lesson 18a we have a question about one of the samples given. The topic is indirect objects (dative case). The following was the first sample: "My father gave the car to my brother." From our understanding, "brother" in the previous...
Way out of town.
I am doing my best to catch up on emails these days. But I am on the road. Out of town. Way out of town. I am working right now from Palestinian territory. Bethlehem, in fact. In fact, right now, it is 4:30 am and I am listening to the Muslim call to prayer....
Carry a journal.
As much as I like the digital tools available these days, there are some old technologies that I just can't jettison. I always carry four items when I leave home. I take my keys, my wallet, my phone, and a small journal. This is the journal. I have been...
Why you should run away.
We moved often when I was young. Dad was in the U.S. Air Force. Back then (in the 70’s and 80’s), redeployment was common. Until moving to Franklin, Tennessee, I had stayed nowhere longer than four years. Two years, actually, was the average. We lived for four...
Moving to Greece?
Yesterday, I heard from the mother of three former students: Just heard at the New Hope banquet that your family is traveling/moving? to Greece??? And when does all of this transpire? Please share. I am not on Facebook so we would love to hear how the Lord is...
Henle Latin, or Lingua Latina?
I received this question: My son has been making it through Henle Latin 1 this year in Classical Conversations. They are on lesson 27 and he has hit a wall. It is moving so quickly and he is at a loss. Could we join in this late in the year and just glean what we can...
Pretty much my story…
I don't remember how and when I discovered the blog, "The Simple Dollar". But, It doesn't matter. I've been reading it (and enjoying it) for a while now. This article resonated with me. It's pretty much my story. Small apartment. Growing family. Stagnant income....
Help?
I received this cry for help: I really need your help and advice. I am a tutor for Classical Conversations Challenge A. I have been taking your Henle 1 lessons and have been learning along with my students from Henle 1 with some Visual Latin that they have on the CC...
High school credit?
I received this comment: We currently homeschool with Classical Conversations. I have a 5th grader in Foundations and Essentials, and an 8th grader in Challenge B. I would like to "beef" up Latin for my 5th grader to prepare her for Challenge, and I would like help...
Dump a car.
I have never owned a new car. In two weeks, I am moving my family to Europe for four months. These two sentences are related. Cars are expensive. The average American now spends $482 per month for the "privilege" of car ownership. And, most of us own two. Oh, and...
Possible schedule for next year.
For the first time in 20 years, I will not be in a classroom next school year. For the last five years, I have raced home after school to start teaching online from 3 o'clock in the afternoon until 6 o'clock in the evening, or so. The problem is, my mind shuts down...
Which class?
I received this question: I am wondering what your thoughts would be for my daughter regarding Latin. She is currently taking Latin 1B through the Lukeion Project (Wheelock's Latin). She's has a high B average. She would like to continue Latin studies with someone...
Will Latin grammar help me with Spanish grammar?
I received this question: I'm 26 and currently learning French and later want to learn Spanish. The only problem is that I have quite a bit of trouble with grammar. Do you think the visual Latin course would be helpful to learn French and Spanish? Here is my reply:...
Stuck in Visual Latin
I received this comment: I have been taking visual Latin for almost over a year and I am not seeing a very large improvement in my learning the language. I don't know if I am doing something wrong or if I'm missing a step or two but I am having some trouble. I am on...
Confused. Visual Latin? Lingua Latina? Henle?
I have confused someone. Not the first time. Comment: I have a child that has been doing Latin for a few years now, classical conversations and challenge with Henle but I'm afraid I don't see this working and I am both intrigued and interested to know more about a...
Does Visual Latin cover Henle 1?
Compass classroom and I received a series of questions.... I have some questions about the Latin program. We are doing the First Form and Second Form with two kids and Henle for our oldest. I like the idea of visual Latin but was wondering what grade levels this is...
Lingua Latina chapter 7, lines 72 – 73.
I received this question: Hello, Dwane. I have a question regarding lines 72-73 of cap. VI. I cannot figure out what the verb is in that sentence. I understand this part --- Medus, however, who fears the angry master, --- and then I guess it's saying that he is going...
Stuck in Lingua Latina
I received this question: Do you have any suggestions for helping students understanding Lingua Latina as they read it? We took a break from Latin last year because she was getting frustrated but we started up again and she is rocking it now but we started reading the...
I hate passwords
Valentines day is tomorrow. I should write about love. Instead, I am going to write about hate. I hate passwords. Hate, hate, hate, double hate. Loooathe entirely. I am older than the Internet. When I was a kid, spies had passwords. That was about it. Now...
After Visual Latin?
I received this question: Do you have a lot of experience with students who have gone through this whole program (Visual Latin)? What will the student study when they are done with this program? Will they be prepared to read Ceasar; do Henle 2? If we do it for 5th and...
An online dictionary for Greek.
Students in my classes know that, for Latin, I am a big fan of Whitaker's Words. Students in my Greek classes know that I haven't found anything quite like Whitaker's Words for Greek. There's this: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/ It's the best I have found....
Safety in Athens
I am moving my family to Greece in a month. Well, almost. We will be in Israel for a few weeks first. If you are concerned about my safety, you are not the only one. Several people have cautioned me about moving to Greece. A few days ago, I did a safety search on...