The Best Homeschool Latin Curriculum

The Best Homeschool Latin Curriculum is the curriculum that works best for you and your children. Latin is a systematic, rigorous, and analytic language. So why teach it? Because teaching Latin as your homeschool foreign language is teaching English grammar and English vocabulary too.

“A gentleman need not know Latin, but he should at least have forgotten it” –Brander Matthews

LATIN TEACHES ENGLISH GRAMMAR

English grammar is based upon Latin grammar, so teaching and learning Latin helps our children to recognize and learn English grammar. Latin reinforces English grammar lessons and solidifies English grammar. Did you know we derive approximately 60% of our English words from Latin?

We speak English in the USA and have since uttered our first words. However, when a child begins putting English words together to form complete sentences, they do not know the words are subjects and predicates, verbs, direct objects, indirect objects, prepositional phrases, possessives, participles, gerunds, and infinitives because we don’t teach English Grammar at birth.

The Latin language is the most disciplined, structured, and organized language in our world history. Latin conjugations and declensions march in disciplined rows, just like Roman soldiers. Latin is not dead and has much to teach your children.

LATIN TEACHES ENGLISH VOCABULARY

All the language of the law, logic, government, theology, medical and scientific terminology, and higher vocabulary derive from Latin. Most of the vocabulary and grammar in other languages derive from Latin as well. Think about it, every time you teach your child math or science, you are teaching them Latin! The main difference between English and Latin sentence structure and is Latin does not depend on word order. Latin must agree amongst word endings, however. Latin is really a puzzle of words.  Children who study Latin will learn to analyze the grammar components of each word to determine the fit to create a sentence.

I have been teaching Latin to my children for the past 8 years. I have used various Latin curriculums at various grade levels. Naturally, we now have our family favorites. But as with most things in life, something that works for my children, may not work for your children. I have put together a list of the Best Homeschool Latin Curriculum available for homeschool elementary school students and homeschool high school students.

Latin Homeschool Curriculum for Elementary School

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND MY FAVORITES: In Grade 1, I started my daughter out on Prima Latina - it was the perfect beginning - the lessons are very short and very simple. All of my children used Logos Latin and Logs Latin is my FAVORITE Latin curriculum for the Grammar level. We used Logos Latin 1 in Grade 3, Logos Latin 2 in Grade 4, Logos Latin 3 in Grade 5 and Logos Latin 4 in Grade 6. We moved on to Visual Latin in Middle School and these area taped lessons that work VERY well!! The instructor is hilarious and engaging AND your child WILL learn Latin!

My oldest daughter took three years of High School Latin and she used Lingua Latina book Plus the worksbooks. She also read the Bible in Latin and several other books in Latin. The KEY to learning Latin well at the high school level as reading and speaking Latin regularly. She had a private tutor and they meet twice a week to read, speak and learn Latin really well.

Logos Latin

LOGOS LATIN 1-4 
GRADES: Grades 3-6
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, CD, DVDs, tests & quizzes
Description: Logos Latin is a four-year Latin curriculum beginning in grade 3 through grade 6. This could be used through middle school as well if you being teaching Latin later. There are weekly lessons that include vocabulary, chants, derivatives, and worksheets.

There are weekly activity pages for each lesson; vocabulary pronunciation for each Latin word and constellation maps. Logos Latin is very well organized and has teacher instructions and schedules included. Logos Latin I, Logos Latin II, Logos Latin III, and Logos Latin IV, utilizes Quizlet to study Latin vocabulary. Tests and quiz books are available as well. I used this curriculum for both of my daughters and they really enjoyed Logos Latin.

Prima Latina

Prima Latina Basic Set
GRADES: Grades 1-3
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, CD, DVDs, flashcards
Description: Prima Latina is an introduction to Latin for young students in grades 1-3. I used the basic set curriculum for both of my daughters in grade 1. Prima Latina teaches Latin grammar and vocabulary with a CD. I only ever used the CD lessons, and can not evaluate the DVD lessons. There is an optional copybook which we did not utilize either.

Song School Latin

Song School Latin 1 & 2 
GRADES: Grade K-3
Curriculum Available: Student workbook, CD, DVD, teacher’s manual, flashcards
Description: Song School Latin is a two-year program using Song School Latin Book 1 and Song School Latin Book 2 that introduces young children to Latin through songs and chants. I did not ever use this curriculum as we began with Prima Latina. However, my friend used this for her children and they loved it. They did not continue with Latin language lessons after two years.

Minimus Latin and Minimus Secundus

Minimus Latin and Minimus Secundus
GRADES: Grades 2-6
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, CD
Description: Minimus Latin and its companion course, Minimus Secundus, seek to teach children Latin in a unique fashion—through narrative.

Latina Christiana

Latina Christiana 
GRADES: Grades 3-5
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, CD, DVDs, flashcards
Description: Latina Christiana is the continuation of the Prima Latina program. I have not used this program as we used a different curriculum past grade 1. This is a great curriculum, however. I have looked through the Latina Christiana and it was well laid out, but not the best fit for my children.

Latin for Children Primer

Latin for Children Primers A, B, C
GRADES: Grade 4-7
Curriculum Available: Student textbook & workbook, answer key, DVDs, CD
Description: This three-year program expands children’s Latin vocabulary while also introducing them to Latin grammar in a systematic and developmentally appropriate way. Latin for Children Primer A, Latin for Children Primer B, and Latin for Children Primer C is incremental and would be great language books for middle school students. Video lessons introduce new grammar concepts and reinforced with Latin chants (similar to their program for younger students, Song School Latin).

Latin Homeschool Curriculum for Middle School

Visual Latin

Visual Latin (our personal favorite!)
GRADES: Grades 5-12
Curriculum Available: DVDs, Teacher’s manual, printable worksheets, printable quizzes + tests
Description: Visual Latin I and Visual Latin 2 are taught through DVD instruction with Dave Thomas and he is FUNNY and makes Latin FUN! The grammar concepts taught are reinforced with weekly worksheets. This two-volume DVD “ curriculum course covers the same amount of material as two years of high school Latin. My daughter took Visual Latin 1 and 2 and learned SO MUCH! If your children have never taken any Latin courses and want to begin Latin in middle school, Visual Latin is the perfect first Latin course to begin Latin!

First Form Latin

First, Second, Third, and Fourth Form Latin 
GRADES: Grades 4-8  
Curriculum Available: Student textbook & workbook, teacher’s manual, quizzes/tests, CD, DVDs, flashcards
Description: The four-year Latin curriculum, First Form, Second Form, Third Form, and Fourth Form Latin, is the next level from Latina Christiana. It teaches Latin grammar and the rules of the language. Lessons are from the instructional DVDs, but scripted lessons are in the teacher’s manual.

Latin Alive

Latin Alive! Books 1,2,3
GRADES: Grades 5-8
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, DVD
Description: This three-year program is best suited for older students or for younger students who began studying Latin in grade 1 and are ready to move to this level. Latin Alive is taught from video lessons.

Latin for the New Millennium

Latin for the New Millennium 1-3 
GRADES: Grades 5-8
Curriculum Available: Student textbook & workbook, teacher’s manual
Description: Latin for the New Millennium uses a newer method for teaching Latin with modern conversational Latin. My son used Latin for the New Millennium 1 textbook and workbook in 7th grade. It worked well for him and was easy to teach from the teacher’s manual. Latin for the New Millennium offers the next levels in Latin 2 and Latin 3 as well.

Kraken Latin

Kraken Latin 1 and Kraken Latin 2
GRADES: Grades 6-8
Curriculum Available: Student textbook & workbook, teacher’s manual
Description: Kraken Latin 1 contains thirty-two weeks' worth of clear teaching on all the indicative tenses, demonstratives, and personal pronouns, weekly worksheets and readings, English-to-Latin, and Latin-to-English glossaries, reference charts for each lesson, and some fun activities. Kraken Latin 2 contains thirty-two weeks' worth of clear teaching on deponents, impersonal verbs, subjunctives, and much more. It includes weekly worksheets and readings, English-to-Latin and Latin-to-English glossaries, reference charts for each lesson, and some fun activities.

BEST ONLINE LATIN CLASSES FOR HOMESCHOOLERS

If you are looking for Latin for your children and you do not want (or can’t) teach this foreign language to them. Here are some suggestions for Online Latin Classes for Homeschoolers.

Potters School: Potters School offers Latin for MIddles School Homeschoolers as well as High School Homeschoolers. There are two levels in middle school available. Latin 1A and Latin 1B. These are full-year courses that meet online once a week with an instructor.

The Great Courses: The Great Courses has 1 online Latin class available to purchase.

Open University’s Getting Started on Classical Latin – An introduction to Latin for English speakers. This online Latin class is especially for learners who are new to Latin.

Classical Academy Press: Classical Academy Press offers various levels of Latin for children and online classes. These classes are full-year and instructor-led online. They offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced Latin classes.

Udemy: Udemy offers a variety of Latin classes at different levels. These classes are prerecorded and teach from the textbook Wheelock’s Latin.

Dwane Thomas: Dwane Thomas has live videos recorded that paid members can access. He has various levels that are recorded in classes. Latin 101 is an introductory class and age-appropriate for middle school and high school students.

VIDEO COURSE

• Linney's Latin Class - An online recorded lecture class that one takes at their own pace. 23 lesson lecture videos.

• London Latin Course – A serial course in learning Latin. In the description, it promises to be slow and unhurried, possibly a great way to start.

Latin Homeschool Curriculum for

Middle and High School

Visual Latin

Visual Latin (our personal favorite!)
GRADES: Grades 5-12
Curriculum Available: DVDs, Teacher’s manual, printable worksheets, printable quizzes + tests
Description: Visual Latin I and Visual Latin 2 are taught through DVD instruction with Dave Thomas and he is FUNNY and makes Latin FUN! The grammar concepts taught are reinforced with weekly worksheets. This two-volume DVD “ curriculum course covers the same amount of material as two years of high school Latin. My daughter took Visual Latin 1 and 2 and learned SO MUCH! If your children have never taken any Latin courses and want to begin Latin in middle school, Visual Latin is the perfect first Latin course to begin Latin!

Latin for Americans

Latin for Americans 1-3
GRADES: Grades 8-12
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual
Description: Latin for Americans is a textbook for the high school level. This three-level series is used in high school and colleges, and it provides a complete course.

Henle Latin

Henle Latin I-IV
GRADES: Grades 8-12 
Curriculum Available: Student textbook & workbook, teacher’s manual, answer keys, quizzes & tests
Description: Henle is a four-year Latin program, Henle I, Henle II, Henle III, and Henle IV, teaches Latin from a Catholic worldview. It teaches the basics of Latin grammar and vocabulary in the first year and advances to reading and translating texts by the second year. There are first-year flashcards available that my children found VERY USEFUL!

Advanced Latin Homeschool Curriculum

for High School

If your child wants to continue taking Latin as a foreign language, they are well prepared if they have studied using any of the above-noted curricula. My daughter wanted to take Latin through high school and take the AP Latin test. Below are some excellent choices for any student who wants this path as well.

My daughter used Lingua Latina with a private Latin instructor in 9th and 10th grade. She utilized Lingua Latina Pars I (9th grade) and Lingua Latina Pars II (10th grade) in high school after completing Visual Latin I and Visual Latin II in middle school. During 11th grade, she and her instructor utilized Epitome Historiae Sacrae: Brevi Christi Vitae Narratione Addita. I was able to assist my daughter with Lingua Latina Pars I, but by Pars II, I was having difficulty and I was unable to assist her with Epitome Historiae. (LOL!) She was fully reading Latin by the end of 11th grade. It was amazing to hear!

LinGua Latina

Lingua Latina Per se Illustrata Series*
GRADES: Grades 9-12
Curriculum Available: Books, Workbooks, Teacher’s manuals
Description: Lingua Latina are books written in Latin that your student will read. Students will learn Latin via the Natural Method. The accompanying workbooks cover the chapters with weekly lessons. Lingua Latina Pars I: Familia Romana, Grammatica Latina (Pt.1) and Lingua Latina Pars II: Roma Aeterna (Pt 2). Pars II also has a workbook that goes along with the reading book. The reason I like these books and workbooks for high school students who have a good foundation in Latin is that they are all in Latin. Every word in the book and the workbook is in Latin. And naturally, go ahead and purchase the Teacher’s Manual, which is for both workbooks, because I do not know very much Latin and this is very helpful for me to assist my daughter when she is struggling a bit. In addition, Fabulae Syrae can be used concurrently with Familia Romana for further enrichment or as a review text after completing Familia Romana. My daughter is currently reading this series for high school Latin. Dave Thomas also has an on-line course for Lingua Latina.

* (this is a companion book to read along with curriculum or a stand-alone curriculum. This is worth 1/2 credit)

Wheelock’s Latin

Wheelock's Latin +  Scribblers, Sculptors and Scribes:  A Companion to Wheelock’s Latin
GRADES: Grades 9-12
Curriculum Available: Book, Workbook, companion
Description: Wheelock’s Latin reinforces translation skills and starts the basics of good analytical writing for high school students that will be needed in Advanced Latin levels and especially AP Latin. Wheelock’s Latin has authentic Latin readings, taken from classical literature, drama, and poetry, but also from inscriptions, artifacts, and even graffiti showing the ancient Romans’ everyday use of Latin. This book will be used for 3 years of Latin lessons with the companion workbook.

AP Latin

Vergil's Aeneid: Selected Readings from Books 1, 2, 4, and 6

Caesar: Selections from his Commentarii De Bello Gallico

This curriculum prepares students to take the AP Latin Exam. The AP Latin exam includes a selection from Vergil's Aeneid and a selection from Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic Wars. Colleges that accept credit from the AP Latin Exam usually offer the student 12-16 credit hours for the passing level that they publish. 

“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. Excellence is not an act but a habit.” -Aristotle

What is your favorite Latin curriculum that’s not listed here?

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