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.
