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See Inside Student Book Lesson I, Lesson XI Teacher Manual Lesson I Exercises w/ Answers   Selected Teacher Pages Online Prima Latina Games

     Although Cheryl Lowe’s Latina Christiana program has been widely hailed for its easy to use format and student friendly layout, some parents asked us for something they could use with their young elementary children. So, we gathered together our years of experience with young Latin scholars and created Prima Latina, an introductory Latin course for students in Kindergarten through 4th Grade.

     Prima Latina was developed for young children who are still becoming familiar with English grammar and wish to learn Latin at a slower pace.  The program provides 25 lessons, each including a grammar skill, 5 vocabulary words with corresponding English derivatives, a practical Latin phrase, and one line of a prayer that is learned in totality over five lessons. 

    The exercises that accompany each lesson are thorough and provide constant review of materials learned throughout the course. After each five lessons, a review chapter summarizes the material covered and provides a keyed test to insure mastery.  With grammar lessons appropriate for primary grades and an easy to read two color format, Prima Latina is the perfect choice for those who would like to start Latin early and lay the foundation of a rigorous language arts program.

    Prima Latina was written to transition directly into Latina Christiana, allowing students to complete an entire Latin sequence without missing important concepts or vocabulary.  Prima Latina is accompanied by an audio CD which includes pronunciation direction for each lesson and four beautiful hymns from Lingua Angelica. Because Latina Christiana I Flashcards include every word in Prima Latina, they are an ideal study aid and a great investment for students who intend to continue on with Latina Christiana. 

     Prima uses a clear and systematic format to introduce Latin to young students. It teaches important English and Latin grammar concepts, as well as vocabulary, sayings, prayers, hymns, and constellation. Some of the material covered in Prima is:

Second Edition What's New?

• Teacher manual now includes a complete copy of the student book with answers
• Expanded four pages per lesson format with larger type for young learners
• Additional explanation of lessons that students find difficult
• Increased space for students to answer exercises, no more loose sheets of paper for students to lose
• Four Lingua Angelica songs are incorporated in each review lesson and on the CD as a bonus
• Derivatives augmented with simple definitions for young students

What's Still Great?

• Developed by Leigh Lowe while teaching young Latin scholars at the Highlands Latin School
• Designed for beginning students as young as Kindergarten (once they can read well)
• Focus on English parts of speech while introducing Latin concepts and vocabulary
• Perfect precursor to Cheryl Lowe's Latina Christiana
• Teacher manual includes 5 review lessons with comprehensive tests
• Use the Latina Christiana I Flashcards with Prima Latina

Do you want to use classical pronunciation with Prima Latina ? Download our free classical pronunciation guide. (We like Christian pronunciation because it is closer to English pronunciation and allows you to use hymns and prayers, but it is really personal preference.)

other popular picks:

Prima Latina Instructional DVDs	Prima/LC Flashcards	Famous Men of Rome	Latina Christiana I

• My student is in X grade. Should I use Latina Christiana or Prima Latina?
  • Unless you have a strong background in Latin, we recommend that you start with Prima Latina for any students in 3rd Grade or younger. It is better for your students to be successful and love Latin than to be frustrated and discouraged.
  • You should not start Latin until your student can read well (usually around second grade).
  • Compare Latina Christiana with Prima Latina here.
  • If you feel uncomfortable about starting Latin or want a gentle approach, you may consider Prima Latina for students as old as 5th Grade.
• Is Prima Latina just a list of vocabulary words like many other beginner programs?
  • No, Prima Latina is designed to tie into Latina Christiana. It teaches the English grammar foundation a student needs to be successful in Latin, while introducing basic Latin grammar concepts.
  • The vocabulary in Prima Latina is a subset of the vocabulary in Latina Christiana. When your student starts Latina Christiana, he will have a certain amount of vocabulary review that allows him to focus on the new Latin grammar he is learning. This method allows students to progress through into their study of Latin at an advanced pace.
• How long should it take me to complete Prima Latina?
  • Prima Latina is designed for one year, however, you should progress at your student's pace. Older students often finish it in a semester and younger ones may spend as much as two years on it. The goal is to study Latin for mastery and take your time.
• I have already started Latina Christiana with my 3rd grader. Should I switch to Prima Latina or stay with Latina Christiana? My student does not have a strong grasp on English Grammar yet.
  • Prima Latina is designed exactly for your student. It focuses on teaching the arts of speech and grammar basics while introducing some Latin vocabulary, sayings, and prayers (which young students learn easily). Prima Latina will essentially replace your English grammar course. If you are not too far into Latina Christiana and have the time, you will be well served to switch. You can achieve similar results in Latina Christiana by patiently teaching the English grammar. If you use Latina Christiana, you won't expect your student to understand the text's grammar as quickly as he can move through the vocabulary, sayings, and prayers. Just move forward with his memorization and you can fill in his grammar understanding as you cover those concepts. Essentially, you will cover the book once for memorization and basics, then again for grammar and understanding.
• Can I use Classical Pronunciation with Latina Christiana instead of Christian Pronunciation?
  • Of course! You can choose any pronunciation you like in Latin. If you would like to use Classical Pronunciation, follow this link for our Classical Pronunciation Guide. Just print it out and use it instead of the Christian Pronunciation Guide in the book. (Note: The CD and DVDs use Christian Pronunciation.)
  • The only time pronunciation really counts in Latin is for the songs and prayers. These should always use Christian Pronunciation, or they won't sound right.

• visit our articles page
• Fun Latin Songs in our Forums (click here)
• A few common schedules for Prima Latina
  "We watch the DVD lesson on Monday, do one page of exercises each of the next two days, and listen to the pronounciation CD and/or do flashcards the next day.  Repeat the next week.  We cover one lesson a week, very
  slowly.  Worked for us!" - Sharon
  
  "We follow a similar schedule to what has been mentioned here.  We do listen to the CD on Monday and then do a section of the book every day for four days with the vocabulary, practical Latin, and prayer review daily.  Then if my daughter has mastered it, we move on to the next lesson.  Sometimes we just review for a few days and then move on." - Jill P.
  
  "For my son, we did PL starting in Kindergarten and completed it over 2 years. If he was starting later on, like 2nd or 3rd Grade, I would expect him to complete it in a year. We did one lesson every two weeks, completing the first 13 in Kindergarten and the rest in 1st Grade." - MaryAnn
  
  

Published Reviews

"Prima Latina is particularly well suited to Latin-fearful parents. The simple layout of the lessons allows for easy implementation with little to no preparation, and the material is at a level that any willing parent can easily learn."

"The optional video set for Prima Latina is excellent. For less than $2 per lesson, the homeschooling parent has almost all the burden of teaching Latin lifted from her shoulders."

"Prima Latina with its optional videos will get your family off to an outstanding start with Latin. Success is almost guaranteed with the simple format of the workbook and the experienced, positive teaching method of Leigh Lowe."
- Martha Robinson, Homeschool Christian

"Order Leigh Lowe's Prima Latina along with the accompanying teacher's guide and supplementary CD."
Latina Christiana and Prima Latina are the only grammar level Latin programs recommended by Susan Wise Bauer in The Well Trained Mind.
- Susan Wise Bauer, The Well Trained Mind

Teacher/Parent Reviews

"We soon ordered Prima Latina, and it became my daughter's favorite lesson.   The structure of the book is a lovely balance of traditional prayers, practical vocabulary, and grammar.... Not all of our lessons are this successful.  This was a big surprise for me. After discovering Latin this year with my daughter, I feel there is a massive hole in my own education.  I am so grateful we can learn this together."
     - J.M., Bedford, TX

"Oh, how funny, Laura!! We're using Prima Latina also with my 3rd grader, and I just HAVE to say that we LOVE it!! It is going soooooooo well. I have zero Latin background, but it is so gentle a program and it pays off quickly. They begin by teaching easy to use prayers and words. We're only part of the way through, but it would take a LOT to get me pulled away from Prima Latina.

I do wish that we had purchased Lingua Angelica because I didn't know that in Prima Latina there are directions for supplementing with Lingua Angelica. Now that my son is so excited about learning the prayers (he now says them at dinner! It's the highlight of his day!), I just know that he will LOVE the songs.

What a great program!!!"
    - K.H.

"We absolutely LOVE this program! We had tried several Latin programs, including the Latin Primer series, and they all had ended in frustration. So, I then heard of Prima Latina and decided to give Latin one last try--it was the best move we have made! It is so simple to use--and it is enjoyable!

Also available are DVDs to go along with each program--these are brilliant! It's just like having Leigh Lowe herself come right into your home as a Latin tutor--and the best part of them is you not only HEAR the words pronounced, but you SEE her pronouncing the words, so you know exactly how the words should be said."
   - Linda, Homeschoolreviews.com

"I have been quite pleased with Prima Latina. Not only did it back up to the areas that my boys were confused about, but it made it very simplistic. Now the boys are racing through the primer and will begin LC I before the summer arrives."
    - S., Parent

"I have had the opportunity to look at quite a few other programs, and this is by far the most parent/kid friendly that I have seen.  I make a point of letting fellow homeschoolers know how happy I am with both Prima Latina and Latina Christiana."
     -  M.V.B., TX

"If you are beginning Latin and have no Latin background, this is the curriculum for you. It is an easy to use, self-paced curriculum that assumes both student and teacher have no prior knowledge of the subject."
     - Julie A.

"It (Prima Latina) has much of the same vocabulary that you will find in LC I , but moves at a slower pace. Then, when you move on into LC I, the student will have a good grasp of the vocabulary already and can focus on the grammar. I am really happy with the program."
     - C., OK

"This morning I spent several hours exploring and downloading your magnificent site. My wife read about 3/4 of the thick pile of articles and clarifying descriptions of the material you offer. Yours is the most valuable contribution to homeschooling that either of us have seen in the nine years we have been involved. You have made the most articulate case I have ever seen, not only for the study of Latin, but for its rightful place at the center of the homeschooling program. More importantly, you have made a convert of my wife."
     - K.C., Dublin, NH

"I am getting the education I always wanted, too!"
     - M.B., Holt, MO

"I have to say thank you for this excellent Latin course.  This year I used in my home with my own children Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I and had a very successful year. Because of my positive experience and enthusiasm, another family used both courses in their home, and we have about twelve children to teach Latin to next year in our co-op."

"It is with baited breath I await the literature guides and entire language arts program.  I love the simplicity of your materials and your approach to mastery.  I am coming to an understanding that careful reading of four books is more valuable than a cursory reading of several.  I have you to thank for the message of mastery."
     - C.N. Caldwell, ID

"We have Prima Latina and are enjoying it very much! It's so easy to follow. What we like best are the videos with Leigh. What a blessing to have a teacher saying the words and going over everything."
    - J.M., FL

"Just to let you know, my husband loves teaching Latin and logic with your curriculum.  He never studied them himself until teaching our children and really enjoys it."
    - D.A., NC

"Thank you so much.  I received the first part of the order a few weeks ago.  I am very, very happy with  it.  I do not know much Latin, so I was wary of teaching it myself.   Your books are very easy to follow.  The CDs are extremely helpful with pronunciation.  I also love the music on Lingua Angelica.  Not only is it instructive, but it is very well recorded.   I am very happy that we purchased your  program!!!!"
    - C.P., PA