All through this [1] TOS Homeschool Review journey, I’ve had some highs and lows… like waves.  Some of my highs (favourites) were listed in the previous post, and I won’t bother to rehash which programs I felt challenged to review.  [2] Memoria Press made the cut as one of my highs, without a question.  I’d put it probably in my top three, up there with Critical Thinking Press, and Clearwater Press’ One Year Novel… really!

It was such a high that when I received the box containing the [3] Latina Christiana program and the [4] Famous Men of the Middle Ages set, I opened it up right there at my van (which was a neat experience since I was with a very good friend at the time, and she practically drooled all over all the goodies inside!).  The quality of the books is exceptional… especially the [5] Famous Men of the Middle Ages book.  I’d previously seen  another publishers’ version of this book, and the text is the same, but that’s where the similarities ended… this book is filled with gorgeous full colour illustrations, printed on fine quality paper and bought beautifully with a fantastic teacher’s guide as a companion book.  The set sells for 39.95 and includes the incredible Famous Men book and also a Teacher’s Guide with answer key.

[6] Latina Christiana … I have to pause here and tell you a funny story (okay, it was a funny story for us, maybe you’ll just think we’re nerds… LOL!).  The first evening home with the Latina Christiana book, I wanted to see if I could make better heads and tails out of it than I could of the other latin curriculum we got to review this year, and on the very first section’s notes to the instructor was an article (or essay?) about the quirky aspects of learning latin… I got so excited because it all started to make some sense, so I said to my son, “hey, Ev, listen to this!” and proceeded to read that same introduction for the instructor… before I was done half the page, not only was my husband listening, but my 13 year old daughter had tuned in too (she had no interest in latin)… everyone was hanging on my ever word… just like we were reading some familiy novel or something… and when I was done, my son looked at me with a big grin and said, “Ahhhhhh NOW it’s starting to make more sense!”  Then I realise how nerdy we must all look, and closed the book in favour of us watching the nature documentary we were supposedly watching together.  *wink*

So… what do I think now of [7] Latina Christiana?  I think my children are privileged to be learning their lessons in latin from such a sweet young woman (oh, we have the DVDs too… I HIGHLY recommend adding them to your order!  They act as an interactive teacher (to my assistant) in a language we knew nothing about - which has taken a great deal of the pressure off me).  I’m even planning on getting the Prima Latina course for my Littles for September… and maybe going on to First Form Latin with the Bigs.  The cost of the Text Set (which includes a pronunciation CD) is only 39.99$, but to get the whole DVD teaching set (including flashcards which, judging from the quality of everything else I received must also be excellent) it is 97.90$ - imagine, an incredible year long journey in latin for less than a hundred bucks! 

Why would I want my kids to learn latin?  I don’t know exactly, but I’ve heard that kids who study latin do better on standardized testing, that it builds critical thinking skills and well.. the OTHERS speak it… (hehe, we’re BIG Lost fans around here, and well, if for no other reason than it’s inspired my kids to consider physics, great literature and yes, even LATIN as Very Cool To Learn). *big grin*

Why not add a little Latin to your curriculum? 

Blessings!

PS.  This is the last of my Old Schoolhouse Reviews for 2008-2009.  I’ll be reviewing ebooks in the months to come… but I’ll also try to review some of my Bookshelf Favourites in my own homeschool library as well.  I’ve enjoyed reviewing so much this past year… and I pray that my reviews have blessed and inspired even a few homeschoolers in this incredible journey.   I really want to thank my fellow Crew Mates for the great times we had this year… I have been so abundantly blessed in meeting you all and look forward to many years of friendship to come… and also my best wishes for a safe and joyful journey to the New Crew who will be heading out of of the TOS Port in the months to come… keep your lifebelts close by and hold someone’s hand! :o)  It’s an exciting ride that you’ll never be sorry you took!

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.