Blog
Eat that Frog!
I received this inquiry: "I know the Henle Latin class is going to carry over into the summer or Fall, which also leads me to the question: when do you plan to have the class which finishes the Henle Latin 1 book? How many weeks/classes will it be?" Here is my reply:...
Conquer your greatest fear!
Every now and then, some university, or some newspaper will remind us of our greatest fears. I am always thankful for such articles. After all, if I am having an excellent day, what I really need is for some staff writer at a newspaper to remind me that spiders...
Anatidaephobia
I've been silent for a few days. Have not posted the word of the day. There is a reason. It's a good one. I've been hiding out. I was nervous. My anatidaephobia had flared up again. Anatidaephobia derives from the Latin word for duck, anas and the Greek word for fear,...
English to Latin: Henle Latin Ex. 60
My First Year Henle students and I are finishing up a year-long online course. It's been a slog. This just is not the most exciting Latin book. We were never really able to complete the English to Latin exercises. This summer, in preparation for next year, I will...
After Visual Latin?
I received this inquiry: If we took VL 1 this year (30 lessons), can my student take the online Latin II or should we take online Latin I ? Just wondering because the chapters covered in LL Online I are fewer than those covered in in VL I. Hi! It all depends on the...
Tired.
Every year, about this time, I get tired. Weary. Blown. I'm going to be honest. I am no big fan of the educational system we have here in America. Sir Walter Scott once said, "All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own...
Prognosis
Prognosis: In medicine, the art of foretelling a disease; knowing beforehand the cause of a disease. We can also use the word prognosis to forecast. When it comes to the weather, for example, it is difficult to make an accurate prognosis. Prognosis is “pre-knowledge.”...
Acquaint
Acquaint: to make known; to make familiar Isaiah, prophesying the coming Christ, called him a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Acquaint comes from the Latin preposition ad (to, toward) and the verb cognosco (I know).
Henle First Year Latin exercise 53
Learn to diagram participle and gerunds while translating from English to Latin! Oh, yeah. That is pretty exciting. For those of you slogging through Robert Henle's First Year Latin, this video may help. https://youtu.be/8PvKHE3lCvI
Back to the Future.
I keep coming back to a common theme. I grew up with a very negative worldview. The world was getting worse. Crime was on the rise. Wars were on the rise. Poverty, famine, communism, socialism and even totalitarianism was on the rise. George Orwell's vision of the...
I know, right?
The ancient Greek word γιγνώσκω (gignosko) means I know. From this word, English derives all kinds of brainy words. Gnostic, agnostic, prognosis, and diagnosis derive from γιγνώσκω. To say, “I know," the Romans would use the Latin word cognosco. From cognosco,...
Is Fables and Foundations Latin 3?
I received this question: Which of your fall classes would you recommend that our daughter take next? Is she ready yet for Foundations & Fables? Sorry, I am still confused---I think I need to back up and ask what Latin level she is completing when she is done...
Conquer your greatest fear.
Every now and then, some university, or some newspaper will remind us of our greatest fears. I am always thankful for such articles. After all, if I am having an excellent day, what I really need is for some staff writer at a newspaper to remind me that spiders...
Latin 3 and 4?
I received this inquiry (It is multifaceted, and quite long. You have been warned): Thanks for offering these online classes--it has been a great experience for our daughter (Henle I, Wed. @ 3pm CST)! She has loved learning Latin with you, and would like to...
F. A. Q.
I am spending more and more time on my computer. I have five kids. I have forgotten the names of two of them. Yep. It's getting bad. Why it took me so long, I will never know, but, I re-structured the Frequently Asked Question page this morning. Basically, I turned...
AP Latin?
I received this inquiry: Comment: Hi. I have a son needing to prepare for AP Latin exam next year. Do you offer a Virgil class that helps with that? Here is my reply: Hi! I currently do not offer classes that would help your son with the AP Latin exam. I am...
Can I just watch the recordings?
I received this inquiry: "I am interested in signing my daughter up for your online class next year, however Tuesdays from 3-3:55 she will be in Speech and Debate class. Is the format of this class such that she will succeed just watching the recorded classes? She...
Lingua Latina… Where do I begin?
At least once a month, someone will contact me with this question: "What do I order if I want to start reading Lingua Latina by Hans Ørberg?" This is a good question. After all, Lingua Latina is completely in Latin. If you try to order it, there is a very good chance...
Latin 3
I received this inquiry: I watched your YouTube video about online class offerings and the sibling discounts, and was excited to learn you’re considering a class that could be an alternative to Henle 2 (which we’ve signed up for already). If that class becomes...
What does Visual Latin cover?
Well, Latin, of course! 🙂 Every now and then I get a question about the content of Visual Latin. Here is what the course covers: Specific lessons include: A. Why Study Latin? B. How Does Visual Latin Work? 1. Being Verbs Basics | To Be and Not to Be 2. Being Verbs...
Cyclometer
Cyclometer: an instrument used to measure circular arcs. Like you, I have no idea what that actually means. However, I do understand this. A cyclometer is an instrument you can attach to a bicycle to measure the distance you travel. Since biking is my favorite...
English to Latin with Henle
This summer, some of my Latin students and I will finish up a year long slog through First Year Latin, by Robert Henle. Even in a year long course, there is no way to get to it all. For a while, I have been working my way through the book, creating videos using the...
Circumlocution
Circumlocution: indirect speaking; a roundabout or indirect expression; use of superfluous words to express an idea. If you are not willing to get right to the point, or if, for some reason, you need to soften the force of direct speech, you might use circumlocution....
Recycle
Recycle: to use again, to convert waste into material usable once again. Recycle comes from the Latin words re (back, again) and the Greek word κύκλος (kuklos), a circle, a wheel. Incidentally, I have a small public service side business. I recycle old five dollar...
Circuitous
Circuitous: the indirect path. I made a mistake. My son asked to go out West. I told him that I just did not have time to plan such a trip, but, that if he would plan the trip, I would take the family. He planned the trip. And, to make sure my ships were burnt, last...
Bicycles… and the rest
From the Greek word κύκλος (kuklos), a circle, a wheel, English derives several means of transportation. From swiftest to slowest, there are motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, and unicycles. The motorcycle is a self powered two-wheeled vehicle. The first part of the...
Circumspect
Circumspect: cautious; wary; unwilling to take risks It is good to pay very close attention to details. To be circumspect, however is to take it to a fault. The circumspect person is afraid to make mistakes. Meticulous is a closely related word. A meticulous...
Steep online class discounts!
I have been teaching advanced Latin classes online since 2011. Before you join an expensive online Latin class, you should check out the most affordable live online Latin classes with the strongest guarantee! Just click the video and you are there!...
Circumscribe
Circumscribe: to limit, or restrict; to place a boundary around; to encircle. Your activities are likely circumscribed by your parents. In the ebook, Via, I recommend you circumscribe television use in order to free up more time. Use the extra time in your life to...
Epicycle
Epicycle: A little circle, whose center is in the circumference of a greater circle From Ancient Greek ἐπίκυκλος (epikuklos), from ἐπί (epi), on, or upon and κύκλος (kuklos), a circle In astronomy, an epicycle is a small circle with its center on the circumference of...
Circumference
Okay. Late today. Today's word is circumference. Circumference is the distance around something. Usually something circular. Circumference derives from the Latin words circum (around) and fero (I carry). Oh, and Circumference was the most rotund knight at King...
How to find the root.
https://youtu.be/qOA0KG-ZYiE
Circle
There a several Latin words for circle. Orbis, circulus, and circlus. Sometimes the Romans would even use the word, circus. Usually, though, the word circus referred to a race course, or a celebration of games performed in a round arena. Related to circulus,...
Henle 2?
An online student asks: I was wondering what classes you'll be teaching next year and whether you are going to Henle 2? I would definitely be interested in going through the summer with Henle 1. What would be the dates and times going through summer? Hope you're...
Free help with Latin
If you are learning Latin, you know all about those complicated Latin endings! Need some free help with Latin? I actively teach Latin and Greek for over 20 hours a week, every week. I spend another 10 hours a week grading. My students constantly trip up on the...
Henle again?
I received this question: I've been checking out your site and have a couple of questions as I am sorting through your options for classes. My son, who will be 14 by fall, has had 2 years of Henle Latin through Classical Conversations. He is at Lesson 25 in the...
Too young for class?
A reader wants to know if 13 years old is too young for an online Latin class: How is it that I did not know about you and your classes until last week? I ordered the Word Up video after a FB recommendation. My kids laughed so hard they cried through the first lesson....
C students rule the world
I struggled in school. I was not a good student. I failed English grammar and had to repeat several grades. I graduated from high school one month before I turned 20. I thought I was doomed to a life of mediocrity. Then, in my twenties, I discovered the...
Made my day…
I received a note from one of my online students today: "Thank you so much for class and for your dedicated, patient, yet fun teaching style. I have really thrived in this class. I also really enjoy it, some times my mother walks by wondering what I could possibly be...
After Lingua Latina
I received this question about Lingua Latina: I plan on using Visual Latin and Lingua Latina per your recommendations for High School (9th and 10th grade). Can you tell me what Lingua Latina books you recommend? If I get the exercise book, do you know if it includes...
How to Prepare for Death
Early to Rise printed this article by James Altucher today. I found it interesting. I should probably work on the friend suggestion. How to Prepare for Death By James Altucher The oldest living person ever was Jeanne Clement, who died in 1997. She was 122 years old....
Lesson 16 confusion
I received this comment: My daughter can’t seem to get past Lesson 16. (We have had a lot of family/personal/computer issues going on this year so we had to put Latin aside for a few weeks off and on.) My daughter can not seem to grasp Lesson 16 with the ablative and...
Frustrated?
One frustrated Visual Latin user contacted me. She felt she was not getting enough review. Here is my response: First of all, I apologize for the frustration I have caused. Just so you know, we offer an ironclad money back guarantee. If you find that Visual Latin...
I didn’t feel like typing…
I received this question this morning: Please explain why animalia laeta sunt is correct. Animalia appears to be plural but laeta is singular. Also on the same 10C lesson: Deus complet opus. Why isn't opus a direct object and hence opum? Thanks! Because I just didn't...
Test 39: Errata
A user pointed out a mistake I had made in Visual Latin test 39. In question 23, students are to give the correct translation for the italicized words: Ii videbantur. A) I will be warned B) I will warn C) You will be warned D) We will be warned E)...
Before you apply to college…
Every few months, I edit, or add to this post, and then re-post it. Here we go again. College, for me, was a waste of time. I naively did what I was told. I did what every high school graduate was supposed to do. I went to college. It was a four year delay of...
What to read in Latin…
Yesterday was a long day. Just before I fell asleep, I posted a quick note about alternative Latin reading material. Here it is: https://dwanethomas.com/instead-of-caesar/ A few days ago, I publicly declared that reading Caesar's commentary on the Gallic Wars may...
Instead of Caesar
On Saturday, I took a whack at a hornet's nest. I suggested that perhaps there was something better to read than hundreds of pages of history of hundreds of headless Gauls. Several people contacted me. Among other things, they wanted to know... well, what should they...
Are we all Penguins?
Last night I watched the new Penguins of Madagascar movie. I have five kids. I watch a lot of kid movies. In fact, I have four daughters. I have seen all of the princess movies. Anyway, as I was saying, I watched the new Penguin movie last night. It was okay. The...
Free help with Latin!
Think Outside the Border Tip #15 - Free help with Latin! If you are learning Latin, you know all about those complicated Latin endings! I actively teach Latin and Greek for over 20 hours a week, every week. I spend another 10 hours a week grading. My students...