Laurelwood Books: Olim...Once upon a time... IN LATIN: DERIVATIVES I Review

I have always wanted the children to learn Lain. I was excited to have the opportunity to review Laurelwood Books' Olim... Once upon a time in Latin: DerivativesI, by Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn. I had Hannah utilize this Derivatives workbook for language development.

Mary Ellen uses stories of folktales and the Bible to teach Latin in this derivatives book.

The 133+ page workbook includes a vocabulary sheets and answer keys. The derivatives workbook course contains many weeks of Latin learning using worksheets, puzzles, fill in the blank and copy work that helps students understand what the words mean and can enhance English vocabulary.

The author uses a unique approach to telling stories with exercises which is the primary vehicle for teaching Latin.

Using a unique approach, author Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn uses fables, parables, and Bible stories as the primary vehicles for teaching Latin. In this book, words and sentences are presented in English and in Latin. Delightful, pencil-drawn illustrations throughout the derivatives book enhances learning and give students visual clues as they read the exercises in English and Latin.

While this might sound overwhelming for young children, Tedrow-Wynn has written the workbooks to allow parents to teach the grammar or skip over it in favor of what would be considered an immersion approach.

Workbook exercises should not be overwhelming, even for younger students, if you work through them a little at a time. Answer keys are at the back of each workbook.

For children ready to learn Latin grammar, “Digging Deeper” sections in each workbook lesson teach grammatical concepts. However, students are not required to conjugate verbs or figure out declensions for nouns. The idea is that by continuous exposure and instruction students will learn much of this through familiarity. Nevertheless, if you choose to use the grammar instruction, the four courses teach quite a significant amount of Latin grammar.

This derivatives 1 can be used as a stand along workbook or fits well with their other Latin books and readers. Olim Once upon a time… In Latin could use this workbook with other Latin curriculum.

At the start of the book there are notes for the teacher which gives you simple but important instructions and suggestions. There is a key on how to pronounce Latin and a key for Roman Numerals.

I find Latin to be an integral part of my children’s education which helps them learn their English. About half of our words come from Latin.  The book helps children study Latin words and the English words we derive from them.  The students will read them, copy them, find them, match them and create words. 

I would strongly encourage any family in school or home educated to look at this Latin program.  It is easy to follow. I looked at the book and could clearly understand how to help my daughter learn Latin words which helped her English vocabulary.

I then took the book to my mother for her input. She is a retired English teacher who had years of Latin in college.  I knew she would have an opinion of this workbook. She loved it and felt that is had excellent instruction of derivatives and their meanings.

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