Hi friend,
In one of the last newsletters, I began a short series looking more closely at the beautiful and rich subjects that can be added around the main curriculum subjects offered through Fostering Wonder.
These subjects may not always be the first things we think of when we plan the school year, but they can bring so much delight, attention, language, and wonder into our homes without making the week feel too heavy.
Today I want to continue that series with a small look at how we are incorporating Latin into our school time for older students, beginning around Grade 4.
Latin can sound like a large or intimidating subject, but in our home it has been very simple. Right now, we do Latin once a week for about ten minutes.
A Charlotte Mason thought
Charlotte Mason wrote that "the Latin grammar is easier" because changes in word form are something "a child can see with his bodily eye."
— Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Volume 1, p. 295
I appreciate this because Latin can give older students a more concrete way to understand grammar. Instead of grammar feeling like an abstract list of rules, Latin lets them see how words change form and how those changes carry meaning.
How we do it
We simply open Getting Started with Latin by William E. Linney to the next lesson and open the YouTube video that goes with that lesson so we can hear the correct pronunciation of the words being learned.
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There is no elaborate preparation. We read, listen, repeat, and move forward a little at a time. Keeping it short has made it much easier to actually keep it in the week.
What I have noticed
One of the sweetest things has been watching my oldest take her Latin lessons and bring them into her play with her siblings. The lesson did not stay only at the table. It became something she remembered, repeated, and enjoyed enough to use in her own way.
Latin has also helped reinforce grammar skills. My oldest is already covering grammar through Fostering Wonder English lessons, and Latin gives her another way to notice how words work. It has been a gentle support rather than a separate heavy subject.
A simple place to begin
If you want to add Latin for an older student, I would not begin by making it complicated. Choose one resource, use the pronunciation help that goes with it, and keep the lesson short enough that it can be done consistently.
For us, ten minutes once a week has been enough to begin building familiarity, confidence, and interest.
What we're currently reading
We are currently reading Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
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I read this book to my oldest when she was in first grade, and when it was time to choose a new read-aloud, she asked if we could read it again so her siblings could hear it too.
I love how stories help create a family culture. They give us shared characters, ideas, and moments to talk about together, while also giving us time to simply enjoy being with one another.
New on the website
I also wanted to share a few new website updates that I am excited about.
Families can now create a free Fostering Wonder account. When you create an account, you will have access to your curriculum library, where the downloadable curriculum you have purchased can be kept together and easily accessed.
There is also a new schedule maker. It is designed to help families create a schedule that works for multiple students, so that while one child is receiving help from the parent, another child can be working on an independent task.
When you purchase curriculum from Fostering Wonder, you will now be able to connect it to your child's schedule, check off completed lessons, and see what lesson comes next. The goal is to make your curriculum and schedule easier to use from one place, whether you are on a desktop or phone.
There will still be a printable option for families who prefer paper, but you can now also keep track digitally in the schedule maker section of your account.
A hard copy printing option
I am also glad to share that we have partnered with Humble Heart Press, a homeschool family-owned printshop, to provide an excellent professional printing option for families who would like a hard copy of their curriculum.
With the purchase of Fostering Wonder curriculum, you will receive a code for 10% off your entire Humble Heart Press cart when it includes at least one product published by Fostering Wonder.
After you receive your order, we would love to hear what you think. If you are happy with their service, we would also appreciate you leaving a kind review for our friends at Humble Heart Press.
A Charlotte Mason encouragement
"The children should have the joy of living in far lands, in other persons, in other times."
— Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Volume 1, p. 153
I love this reminder because it is exactly what good books can do in a home. They give our children places, people, and ideas to return to together, often long after the lesson or chapter is finished.
Warmly,
Scarlette
Fostering Wonder