10 BEST LATIN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM OPTIONS
The BEST Homeschool Latin Curriculum is the curriculum that perfectly suits your needs and your children's. Latin is a language that is known for its systematic, rigorous, and analytic nature. So what's the point of teaching it? Teaching Latin as your homeschool foreign language also incorporates English grammar and vocabulary.
There are several options available for homeschooling Latin in a homeschool classroom. Parents have the opportunity to discover the most suitable curriculum for their child's unique learning style, interests, and financial situation. I am covering various Latin homeschool curriculum options that are highly recommended. Lots that we have tried - what works for us and what doesn't! I will also offer guidance to help you determine the most suitable choice for your family.
“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.
10 Best Latin Homeschool Curriculum Options
Visual Latin
Logos Latin
Prima Latina AND First Form Latin
Song School Latin
Minimus Latin and Minimus Secundus
Latina Christiana
Latin for Children Primer
Latin Alive
Henle Latin
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 Logos Latin is our 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 are 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 workbooks. 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.
Song School Latin
Songschool Latin 1 & 2
GRADES: Grade K-3
Curriculum Available: Student workbook, CD, DVD, teacher’s manual, flashcards
Description: Songschool Latin is a two-year program using Song school Latin Level 1 Book and Song School Latin Level 2--Book and CD that introduces young children to Latin through songs and chants. This is a great Latin curriculum to being in Pre-K and Kinder or Grade 1. This curriculum has great Song School Latin Level 2 Teacher's Edition, Songschool Latin: Teacher's Materials as well as Song School Latin DVD Set. Song School is the perfect introduction for the littles and students can easily transition to Prima Latina or Logos Latin!
LATIN FOR LITTLES
Latin for Littles
GRADES: Grades K-2
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, CD
Description: Latin for Littles, Volume I will orient your youngest students toward a strong language basis! These thirty five-day lessons will gently motivate your young kids to master the Latin for familiar terms through daily matching, ongoing review, and phonetic pronunciation. Contains usage instructions, original artwork, optional coloring pages, English translations, and more.
Prima Latina
Prima Latina
GRADES: Grades 1-3
Curriculum Available: Student textbook, teacher’s manual, CD, DVDs, flashcards, copybook
Description: Prima Latina, Student Book 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 pronunciation CD, teacher's manual and the copybook, and can not evaluate the Prima Latina Instructional DVDs lessons.
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 are 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 1 Student Workbook, Logos Latin 2 Student Workbook , Logos Latin 3 Student Workbook and Logos Latin IV utilize 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.
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. The Minimus Latin program for younger children teaches basic Latin language and culture while students follow Minimus the mouse's adventures throughout the texts. Each lesson starts with a full-color, animated cartoon including Latin dialogue in speech balloons. A short vocabulary list of Latin terms used in the cartoon is provided, along with English translations, so that students can begin the program with the ability to read the cartoons. The Latin vocabulary taught is also mirrored in root-based exercises in which students find a Latin word from the lesson within a common English word. At this time, another Latin cartoon story is inserted, along with supporting vocabulary, resulting in two cartoon stories every chapter. Each chapter concludes with a review of its terminology.
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. This is a great transition from Prima to the next level. Heading right into the Latina Christiana and the Latina Christiana worksheets is perfect. There is even an optional pronunciation CD to assist parents who may not be that comfortable teaching Latin. In addition, there is a fabulous teacher's manual to guide parents through teaching lessons. This is a great curriculum, and it has set of 3 DVDs as well as flashcards set . I have looked through the Latina Christiana and it was well laid out.
Latin for Children Primer
Latin 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 Text and the Latin for Children A Activity Book, Latin For Children, Primer B Text and the Latin for Children B Activity Book , and Latin for Children, Primer C Text and the Latin for Children Primer C Activity Book 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). There is also answer keys available for Latin for Children Answer Key.
Latin Homeschool Curriculum for Middle School
Visual Latin
Visual Latin, Volumes 1 & 2 (our personal favorite!)
GRADES: Grades 5-12
Curriculum Available: DVDs, Teacher’s manual, printable worksheets, printable quizzes + tests
Description: Visual Latin 1 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, Volumes 1 & 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 Latin Student Text, Third Form Latin, Student Text, and Fourth Form Latin Student Text 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 and students work out of the workbooks.
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, Latin Alive! Book One Bundle, Latin Alive! Book One Text, Latin Alive! Book Two, and Latin Alive! Book 3 Student Edition are 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 and has corresponding teacher’s manuals for Latin Alive! Book One Teacher's Edition, Latin Alive! Book Two, Teacher's Edition, and Latin Alive! Book 3 Teacher's Edition.
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. My daughter used the upper levels for advanced Latin in high school as a supplement
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. There are great Kraken Latin Teacher Edition available for purchase as well.
BJU PRESS LATIN
BJU Press Latin I and BJU Press Latin II
GRADES: Grades 9-12
Curriculum Available: Student textbook & workbook, teacher’s manual, tests and answers
Description: BJU Press Latin 1 Student Text 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 in the student activity book. The student activity book also has a BJU Press Latin 1 Student Activities Manual, Teacher's Edition, and lab manual teacher’s edition, and BJU Press Latin 1 Teacher's Edition with CD that is optional. BJU Press Latin 1 Tests and BJU Press Latin 1 Tests Answer Key. BJU Press Latin II, Student Text contains thirty-two weeks' worth of clear teaching on deponents, impersonal verbs, subjunctives, and much more. There is a BJU Press Latin II, Teacher's Edition option to purchase as well. BJU Press Latin II, Tests and BJU Press Latin II, Tests Answer Key.
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 Middle 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, Volumes 1 & 2 (our personal favorite!)
GRADES: Grades 5-12
Curriculum Available: DVDs, Teacher’s manual, printable worksheets, printable quizzes + tests
Description: Visual Latin 1 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, Volumes 1 & 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 from McGraw Hill 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. It provides an overview of the Roman literary heritage with a focus on Latin literature, including Pliny, Cicero, Aulus Gellius, and Ovid. It has writing activity workbooks, textbooks, teachers manuals and teacher annotated editions.
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 Latin 1 Text: First Year Latin, Henle Latin 2 Text, Henle Latin 3 Text, 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 Henle Latin I Vocabulary Flashcards, Henle Latin II Vocabulary Flashcards and Henle Latin III Vocabulary Flashcards available that my children found VERY USEFUL! There is also a Second Year Henle Latin Student Guide and Second Year Henle Latin Quizzes & Tests as well as answer keys for Henle Latin 1 Answer Key, Henle Latin 2 Answer Key, Henle Latin 3 Answer Key and Henle Latin 4 Answer Key. There is a Henle Latin Quizzes & Tests for Units 6-14 and a First Year Henle Latin I Teacher Manual Units VI-XIV that can be purchased too.
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. There is also an online access course HERE. We also continued with Latin and went with Lingua Latina: Epitome Historiae Sacrae.
* (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 and the corresponding Workbook for 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?
Learn Latin in the Classical Education Stages of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric
Students that follow a Latin curriculum nowadays frequently receive a classical education. Three levels comprise classical education: rhetoric, logic, and grammar. Every stage's usage of Latin will be covered below.
GRAMMAR
Learning the foundational language abilities and memorization during the grammar stage lays a solid basis for subsequent levels. The Grammar stage is usually designed for kids in elementary (Grammar) school. Under the Grammar Stage, students memorize vocabulary items and spelling and pronunciation norms in order to become proficient in the grammar of their home language through Latin. Knowing how language functions is the aim in order for kids to write and read well. At this point, memorization is stressed in order to have efficient recall for future use.
LOGIC
The middle in the Trivium of Classical Education is the Logic Stage. Emphasizing the application of the Latin grammar students learned in the previous stage, this level teaches them how to think critically and logically. Children are supposed to learn how to use language well, understand difficult ideas, and make logical conclusions at this stage. They will hone these abilities more as they move through the Logic Stage of Classical Education, where they will learn to reason with well-organized arguments and make judgments based on solid judgment.
RHETORIC
Three stages make up the classical Trivium, the rhetorical stage being the third. Students pick up profound thought, questioning, and opinion development skills at this point. Engaging with Latin literature is frequently a major learning component at this level. Some students might decide to stop taking Latin when they get to high school and instead take Spanish.
It is recommended that the students in this level read classic historical works as well as literature from ancient Greece and Rome. The rhetoric stage seeks to develop intelligent students capable of winningly and persuasively presenting well-reasoned arguments.
A Latin program or curriculum is essential to classical education, as you can see. People like to state that Lain is dead. But, it is only dead for people who do not study it. So the question then is, why learn Latin?
For many reasons, really. The study and comprehension of Latin are still crucial, especially for individuals with interests in literature, law, religion, and linguistics.
The days of Ancient Rome are when Latin first appeared. Every Roman citizen spoke it as official language. Up to the Middle Ages, when it lost favor, it was extensively spoken throughout Europe and beyond. Even so, Latin has had a profound impact on our contemporary languages, particularly English, by influencing vocabulary words and grammar norms. Dozens of everyday English words have their origins in Latin. Through the analysis of word roots and structure and appreciation of its historical relevance, studying Latin helps our children better comprehend how language generally functions.
There is a wide range of Latin homeschool curriculum options available. Whether you prefer online courses or traditional textbooks, there are options available to cater to the needs of every student. With a plethora of resources at their disposal, students have the opportunity to discover the ideal curriculum to pursue their passion for studying Latin in an enjoyable and captivating manner. Learning Latin language and culture can be made engaging for homeschooled students with thoughtfully chosen materials that prioritize comprehension over mindless repetition. By carefully considering all factors, one can discover the ideal choice for every student.