Blog
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...
Finish Henle, or no?
I received this comment: Thanks for all you do. CC family here with a 15 year old sophomore finishing up Challenge B. It sounds like you're very familiar with the Challenge B Henle pace - they finished up lessons 1-25 out of 42. My question is - do you think we should...
Don’t be afraid to jump ship.
You don't have to stick with your boring language book. Growing up in different countries taught me something important. It taught me that there may be a better way. I learned from Germany that stores do not have to stay open on Sunday. Business owners can take...
Pedicure
Pedicure: care for the feet. From the Latin words pes, (the genitive is pedis), and the verb curare, which means, to care for. Some time ago, one of my high school students held her hands out in front of herself for a long time. She was clearly not paying attention in...
After Henle 1?
Here is a complex Latin question I received. My guess is that more than a few of you are in this situation. I have 2 daughters taking Latin. One is taking your Henle 1 class. She was in Classical Conversations until this past year. That is where she started with...
Greek? Latin? Help…?
A user asked the following questions: I am wondering how Biblical Greek and Attic Greek differ if you can learn Attic and read the Bible in Greek when you are done. Are Attic and Koine similar enough that it doesn't matter? On another note, how early is it appropriate...
Isopod
Isopod: a crustacean with seven pairs of legs. They use the legs to crawl. Most isopods live in the water, though you can find some isopods living under logs, or in dark places. The name Isopoda comes from the Greek ἴσος (iso), the same, and the Greek word for foot,...
Pedigree
Pedigree: Lineage; line of ancestors from which a person or tribe descends; genealogy. Pedigree comes from the French phrase, pie de grue, meaning: the crane’s foot. Some thought that the spreading lines of a genealogical chart resembled the foot of a crane. The...
Latin audio books?
This week, someone asked me, "Are there audio books I could listen to in Latin?" Here is an excerpt from my book Via. =================================================== In 2011, Faith Comes By Hearing.com released Biblium.is. Here you will find the entire New...
Pawn
Pawn: Something given as security for the payment of borrowed money; a pledge. This first definition has nothing to do with the Latin word for foot. Instead, it comes from an Old French word meaning pledge, or security. The pawn on the chess board, however, does from...
How to Get More Done
Yesterday, I blogged a bit about the collapse of my family finances, and our slow recovery. During our collapse, I discovered the writings of Mark Ford. I read everything I could find by the man. I implemented as much of his advice as I could. This article, by...
Hexapod
Hexapod: a creature with six feet. Any arthropod of the class Hexapoda. In other words, an insect. Though he only has two feet, Marvel has brought a “hexapod” hero to the big screen: https://youtu.be/xInh3VhAWs8 Hexapod comes from the Greek word ἑξαποδία...
Peddler
Peddler: a walking salesman; a traveling trader; one who travels about, retailing small wares; a hawker; a huckster; a street vendor. These days, the word peddler may describe someone who sells illegal drugs, or stolen goods. Peddler shows up in English in the 1200’s....
What financial ruin taught me.
I usually don't blog much on Mondays. That is because I am in the classroom all day, and in the evening, my own children are in various classes around town. I drive them to the classes. This leaves little time to blog. Last week, a friend of mine contacted me for...
Visual Latin Contents
I received this question: My daughter is halfway through 3rd Form Latin from Memoria press. She has been trying to just do it without any instruction. I am thinking of switching to your Visual Latin but not sure where to start. She is 15, and a strong Latin student....
Don’t be afraid to jump ship!
=================================================== Think Outside the Border Tip #14 - Don't be afraid to jump ship! =================================================== You don't have to stick with your boring language book. Growing up in different countries taught me...
A Personal Memory Assistant
Someday, your memory will begin to fade. I have noticed this depressing trend in myself lately. In fact, if my memory gets any worse, I will soon be able to plan my own surprise parties. I am not happy about this. This morning, while posting the "word of the day,"...
Does Visual Latin count for high school credit?
People often ask: Is Visual Latin good for high school credit? Here is the reply: In terms of the material it covers, Visual Latin, Latin 1 (Lessons 1-30) and Latin 2 (Lessons 31-60) are each good for one high school foreign language credit (2 credits total). By...
Online Latin Class Questions
I received this email: Dwane, I am very interested in having my daughter do this online class but have a few questions about it’s structure. 1. Are the online classes interactive? 2. It seems that this class is a combination of both Visual Latin and Lingua Latina....
Chapter 27 mistake.
I received this comment on Facebook: Question: In lesson 27, 27B Sentences number 14 - Instead of matrem docuit, should it read, matrem docere? Here is my reply: Yep. You are correct! Thank you for pointing this out to me. Here is the question 14. Pater putat...
Pedestrian
Pedestrian: a walker; someone who journeys on foot. As an adjective, something pedestrian describes a going on foot; walking; made on foot; as a pedestrian journey. Interestingly, pedestrian also means boring, mundane, banal, prosaic, or commonplace. When we use the...
Gastropod
Gastropod: Snails and slugs. These guys are members of a class of mollusks (Gastropoda) that use their stomachs as a foot. I used to work with some guys like that. A scientist named Georges Cuvier coined the word in 1795. Cuvier created the word by combining the Greek...
Cornelia
I received this email: We are working through the Cornelia primer that was made available through CompassClassroom. Is there an answer book to make sure I am translating correctly? Just wondering how to incorporate this along with VL. I am also curious if you place...
Discounts for families?
I received this inquiry: Hello. I have four daughters. Three are beginning junior high (grades 6/7) and one entering high school (grade 9) in the fall. We've gone through Prima Latina (Memoria Press) twice. Question: If we were to enroll in your online lessons,...
Wampatucked
If you spend any time around my family, you will eventually hear a strange term. When things are going severely wrong, when a situation is just awful, someone in the family will mutter, Wampatucked. My girls blog for their English assignments. Today, one of them...
Latin for the little guys?
I received this inquiry on Facebook: I haven't purchased a Latin program for my kids. My oldest is currently in 3rd grade. I am ready to buy now, but still not sure which one. I'm feeling very overwhelmed by the choices. I just want to feel secure in picking a...
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 no where longer than four years. Two years, actually, was the average. We lived for four...
Latin Graduation Quotes
Every now and then I get requests like this one. Hi! I want to put a Latin message on my daughter's Graduation sign for our yard. Do you have any ideas? Thanks! Here is my reply: How about "Per aspera ad astra." It means, to the stars through difficulties. Or,...
The Latin Bible?
This question popped up on Facebook today: We just purchased Visual Latin and love it so far (on lesson 5 now). What Latin Bible do you recommend? I want to purchase one for my daughters who are studying Latin (along with me). Here is my reply: Glad to hear you are...
City
Excellent video about Roman urban development. David Macaulay is the author and artist behind the book, City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction. https://youtu.be/9K7Yds8bWz4
Podiatrist
Chiropodist: a podiatrist. The word chiropodist has essentially dropped from English. It lost its job to podiatrist. A chiropodist was a hand and foot doctor. The word comes from the Greek words for hand, χείρ (pronounced, kheir) and foot, ποδός (pronounced,...
Pedestal
Pedestal: In architecture, the lowest part of a column or pillar. The pedestal sustains a column and serves as its “foot.” A pedestal is a support structure, a base. We can use the word pedestal figuratively as well. When we put someone “on a pedestal,” we are...
After Visual Latin?
I received this question: Hi. After a student has completed Visual Latin 1 & 2, is there a particular program/level that you would recommend they move to? What is the next step after Visual Latin? Thanks! Here is my reply: Hi, Melissa! I do have some...
Preparation for Henle?
I received this question: Will you have any materials or preparation information prior to the beginning of the online course scheduled to begin this fall? Here is my reply: Hi, Debra! If at all possible, try to get through the first 15 to 20 lessons of Visual Latin...
Cephalopod
Cephalopod: the squid, the octopus, or the cuttlefish. The Greek word, κεφαλή (kephale) means, head. Combine this word with the Greek word for foot, ποδός (podos), and you’ve got a cephalopod. That’s right. A cephalopod is a “head-footed” creature. Or, perhaps a...
Pedal
Pedal: A foot-operated lever. We use pedals all the time. We use them to power bicycles, vehicles, and other machines. Pedals also control sewing machines, pianos, and organs. Come to Nashville and you will even see “Pedal Taverns.” Pedal Taverns are bicycle...
Do I have to learn the cases?
This comment popped up on YouTube. Great videos. but I have a question. in lesson 1C you pronounced CAELUM /djelum/ or something like it. C like an CH. But in this one, you say it as K... why is that? and watching this lesson, i´ve got another question. why do we have...
Aquila
Interesting move by Facebook, according to tech blogger, Peter Diamandis. As you read, you will notice they named their drone, Aquila. Aquila is Latin for Eagle. "A few weeks ago, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg announced, "As part of our Internet.org effort to connect the...
Be optimistic.
Optimism: the belief that all is for the best. From Latin optimus, meaning, the best. Optimus is the superlative of bonus, which means, good. Yesterday was Easter Sunday, the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. If you take a long look at the history...
Your Memory Assistant
Someday, your memory will begin to fade. I have noticed this depressing trend in myself lately. In fact, if my memory gets any worse, I will soon be able to plan my own surprise parties. I am not happy about this. This morning, while posting the "word of the day,"...
How to sound smart.
One of my favorite quotes comes from The Pledge, by Michael Masterson. “Words matter. They help us define meaning. We think with words. We learn with words. Words are the fundamental tools we use for communicating. If we use them well, we can cut, and shape,...