Through the Homeschool Review Crew, we get to try out so many different Christian curricula that I never thought would be possible. (Maybe I should say "curriculums" because the internet tells me that is the American plural of curriculum, while "curricula" is Latin and, today, I'm here to talk Greek.) Greek 'n' Stuff's Greek courses have been on my radar for many years. When Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! - Level 3 Set became available to The Crew, I thought it would be so fun to try.
What did I receive? Well, I'm glad you asked.
- Level 3 Worktext - A spiral bound, soft cover, with 170 pages of lessons, plus an appendix which lists things like Greek to English and English to Greek translations of the level three vocabulary, alphabet, breathing marks, tense, and gender. Instructions for Bible copywork are also included here. (I've ordered a Greek interlinear New Testament, and I'm pretty excited about that.) This is followed by the index, a feedback form, and then the all important flash cards (more about those in a minute).
- Level 3 Answer Key - Also a spiral bound, soft cover, this answer key boasts full size duplicates of the lesson pages (with answers) and the appendix from the worktext. The suggested (and easy to follow) schedule is to complete one page per day and review the flashcards. Author Karen Mohs clearly explains how to use the books and CD. Each lesson is listed with the topic, pages, and teacher tip, and often a "big picture" chart showing the progress being made through the topics in the appendix.
- and the pronunciation CD - this covers vocabulary for Level 3 and Level 4, includes the alphabet song, and speaks through the charts in the appendix. The included chart lists exactly what page's vocabulary is on each track.
Several resources are suggested and some are also available from Greek 'n' Stuff. The Bible is the only extra purchase I've made. You certainly don't *need* anything more than what is included in the set.
How did we choose a level? Why, another excellent question.
While there are tests available under each Greek level and Greek 'n' Stuff has this nifty chart which shows all of the levels and options available for the Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek curriculum, I just went by their suggestions. Children as young as preschool can begin to learn Greek with the reader. As soon as children can control the pencil, they can start learning the Greek language using Level One. You'll probably find Level Two just right for 2nd graders. For older students, say 4th grade to adult, Level Three is the recommended starting point for beginners. Since we know zero Latin (well, Dad knows a smidge from college), that seemed exactly right. I think it has been a really good fit for Xavier. Level Three contains a quick review of the information taught in Levels One and Two, so you're quickly up to speed.
What's it like? You are full of great questions today!
I was definitely a little intimidated by the whole "learn a whole new alphabet and all the sounds each cute, but funny looking letter make." Xav has kind of enjoyed it, though he is never keen on any writing. "Zeta is hard to write. I can tell you that from experience," Xav tells me. This photo shows the beginning section where he started writing the letters of the Greek alphabet. Rather than write three rows of three letters each day, I got this idea to write one row of each letter every day for three days. For example, the first day he wrote one row each of alpha, beta, gamma. On day two, he wrote one row of each of those plus one row of delta, epsilon, zeta (Ah, zeta. yes, he did have trouble with that!). Day three was the last day of alpha, beta, gamma plus the second row of delta, epsilon, zeta, and the first row of eta, theta, iota. We rotated our way through the alphabet that way to omega. It took about the same amount of time, but simultaneously broke things up and kept the letters in his head for more days. While writing, he practiced saying the letter's name and sound.
Once the alphabet writing was done, the work pages began. These pages were mostly pretty enjoyable. Some pages are writing intensive, but many of them are matching, circling, drawing, and even completing crossword puzzles. This photo show some pages as he completed them and the following photo shows a few examples of the worktext yet to come. You can see there is a wide variety of activities.
You are encouraged to use the flashcards every day. (You get to check off a box on each page - see the pics above. I love marking things done!) These cards are in the back of the Worktext, six cards to each page. The front and back are in two columns. We just cut each pair out, folded in the center and covered with tape. I think the rest of the pages will be laminated though. They'll be so much sturdier. Greek 'n' Stuff does carry a cardstock set that is already cut and hole punched, so that is an option. Anyway, Xav happily helped me cut out, tape and trim his first cards. They also sell quizzes for the testing inclined.
The music CD is 68 tracks total. The first one is an alphabet song and is kind of catchy. The Level Three vocabulary follows on tracks 2-21. Each track says, "(Vocabulary word) means (translation). (Vocabulary word)" I'll use track 2 as an example. "An- thro-pos means a man. An-thro-pos." Short and clear. Level Four vocabulary continues to track 59, then tracks 60-68 (thankfully) cover the information on the charts from the appendix.
If you're looking for a Greek program, I think this one is very good. The variety of activities and the review seem to help it stick, despite the learning of a completely new alphabet.
Greek 'n' Stuff also carries Bible studies and Latin curriculum.
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