Prima Latina by Memoria Press ~ A TOS Review

Classical Christian education is based on the trivium, the lower division of the seven liberal arts, focusing on grammar — the memorization of facts pertaining to each subject, logic — organizing ones thoughts, statements, and arguments; and rhetoric — the art of speaking, communicating, and writing well, and taught from the perspective of a Christian worldview.  Memoria Press  is “a family-run publishing company that produces simple and easy-to-use classical Christian education materials for home and private schools. It was founded by Cheryl Lowe in 1994.”  Their “products are characterized by three things: simplicity, quality, and affordability.”  They have grown by leaps and bounds in the past 15 years, offering a complete Classical Core Curriculum for each grade, pre-K through 12; and individual subjects from Phonics & Early Reading to Greek and Latin. 

Memoria Press’ website is easy to navigate, and in addition to more in-depth product information you’ll find a great resource of encouraging articles.  

The Schoolhouse Review Crew and I have had the opportunity to review MP’s Geography I, for grades 4+; and Prima Latina for grades 2 – 4.  You can read all of the reviews when you click on the graphic below and follow the link.

Cheryl Lowe says, “Memoria Press’ Prima Latina and Latina Christiana programs are Christian Latin courses designed to introduce your child to the rich heritage of the Christian tradition and will provide you, the teacher, with the necessary core component for your Latin-centered curriculum.”   It is written specifically, with a fine attention to detail, for parents and teachers who don’t know Latin.  Since that’s the exact boat I’m in, I’m pleased to use it with my younger students!

I have read, researched, and discovered that Latin teaches English; and it does it exceptionally well.  Latin is a cohesive binder, tying subjects together from history to grammar, and more.  It is regular and precise.  A discipline that can be counted on to be systematic, steady; and analytical.  I am excited by the possibilities that a solid foundation in Latin may afford my children.

I have the Prima Latina complete set, that retails for $90.90.  It includes the Student Book, Teacher Manual, Pronunciation CD, Instructional DVD’s; and Flashcards.  I didn’t invest in the Prima Latina Copybook, yet; but I definitely plan to purchase it. It will add cursive writing and penmanship to our program.

We’ve been doing 3 lessons a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Doing our review work, recitation practice, using flash cards; and quizzing on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  Sometimes, spending time in the evening, because we can, reciting our vocabulary words, and practicing the prayers and hymns we’re learning from Lingua Angelica. Leigh Lowe goes over everything on the DVD’s.  Each DVD lesson is only about 15 – 20 minutes long, but there is a total 9 hours of instruction.  She introduces each lesson and vocabulary, pronouncing a word or phrase several times and having us repeat it.  She follows the student book, which makes it easy for the student to follow her.  Workbook pages correspond to and reinforce the lessons we’re learning .  I couldn‘t do it without her.  I wouldn’t do it without the DVD’s.  With Leigh’s guidance and teaching, it is actually simple, and fun!  My young ones feel like they’re learning a secret-coded-language, because very few of their family or friends understand it.  Over the 25 lessons we’re learning vocabulary, derivatives, beginning declensions; and conjugations.  We see Latin roots in so many words now, and have had competitions to see who can find the most in a given paragraph or two.  By the end of this year, if we stick with it as we intend to, we will have learned:  seven parts of speech, 125 Latin words, numbers 1 through 10, basic constellations, simple introductions to tenses, Latin phrases; and more.  You might have noticed that I’ve used the word “we” throughout this entire paragraph, because I am learning right alongside my children.  We’re building new, strong foundations and strengthening some old ones!

What’s your experience with the Latin language?

I hope you’ll check out Memoria Press, Latin.  I highly recommend it.

Blessings,

Disclaimer*   I received Prima Latina complete set, in exchange for my honest review as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for your comments.  I enjoy hearing from you!

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