Elementary Latin 1

CLRC’s Elementary Latin 1 course uses the text Minimus: Starting Out in Latin and Minimus Workbook I. Led by Minimus the mouse, students learn basic grammar and Latin vocabulary through stories featuring a real family who lived in Roman Britain near Hadrian’s wall. Every chapter of the text presents fascinating historical information to introduce students to and broaden their knowledge of Roman Britain.

CLRC teachers provide weekly assignments with detailed directions for every homework day, including exercises from the text and workbook and supplemental grammar exercises and chanting activities. Students become very familiar with parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. They master model chants for 1st and 2nd declension nouns, 1st conjugation verbs, and the irregular verb "to be." Students begin their study of the use of cases and develop a solid understanding of personal endings of verbs in present tense. Students learn over 100 Latin vocabulary words and do exercises focusing on English derivatives from Latin, thus building their English vocabulary and developing an awareness of Latin's rich presence in the English language.

Stressing the importance of listening to Latin and reading/speaking out loud, CLRC teachers provide weekly recordings of all vocabulary, stories, and chants, and incorporate this listening and out loud reading into the assignment for every homework day.

"Thank you so much for teaching my kids Latin. You are an excellent teacher and they both enjoy the curriculum. My older son took some Latin about 10 years ago and it was not enjoyable for him at ALL. The Minimus curriculum is great for my younger ones and you are a fantastic teacher. Your patience amazes me!"
- Connie K., Washington