Homeschool Latin 2012 Success

This past year of 2012 was a success in terms of Latin language teaching and learning.  After a couple years of using Memoria Press materials, I started oldest daughter Fiona on Hans Orberg's Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata.  The first of the two books in this series is Familia Romana, a story of a first-century Roman family - completely told in Latin.  This is the same text I had struggled teaching when I taught for one year at a private Classical Christian school a few years ago.  This time however, after a couple years of my own study - my own studied application to the teaching of my own oldest daughter met with great success!  

I will outline a more detailed explanation of method later, but I will nevertheless say a few things now:

1. Year-round schooling is a good thing.
2. #1 is true because short breaks don't hurt the memory, but longer breaks do.
3. Taking only 1 chapter per month is PLENTY for this particular text.  
4. Slow and steady is good.
5. Repetition is good.
6. Over-learning is not "over" or "too much" anything.  It is probably just the right amount!
7. Going through the whole text - including doing the exercises yourself - BEFORE teaching them to your child is extremely helpful.  

Again, more specifics will (hopefully) follow.  2013 will include chapters 13-24 for Fiona.  2013 will also contain chapters (from the 2nd book, Roma Aeterna) 36-46 for me.  Like I did when  I went through the first book, I will keep a binder containing my completed exercises - much like the binder I am currently requiring for Fiona.  By the time Fiona is done with Familia Romana (end of 2014) I will have finished Roma Aeterna (56 chapters) and it will then be her turn.  Slow and steady.  Enjoy the journey.