This is one of the methods our family uses as a memory work aid, especially when we have trouble connecting a prompt to the beginning of the answer to that prompt. This memory work method is: Use a catch phrase.
- 1st Conjugation Present Tense: When we get a new present, we say, “Oh! Thank you!”
- 1st Conjugation Imperfect Tense: When things go imperfectly, it can be a bummer! (a in Latin is pronounced like the a in idea.)
- 1st Conjugation Future Tense: In the future when I’m older, I will learn to use a bow and arrow.
- 1st Conjugation Present Perfect Tense: When the present day is perfect, we jump and shout, “Whee!”
- 1st Conjugation Pluperfect Tense: Tapping eram, eram, eram on my pluperfect drum. (a in Latin is pronounced like the a in idea.)
- 1st Conjugation Future Perfect Tense: In the future on a perfect day, I’ll hit the bulls eye with my arrow.
And that’s how we keep the tenses straight!
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Our family has also greatly benefited from learning the pronunciations of the Latin vowels and diphthongs (much like learning to read with phonics) instead of trying to memorize pronunciations of all the declensions and conjugations as a whole, as we’ve done in the past. Knowing the pronunciation of vowels and diphthongs has allowed us to finally put away our visual pronunciation keys from last year and has helped us in learning to spell each declension/conjugation. From our Latin Alphabet Flashcard set, I’ve pulled out the cards for letters and letter combinations that have different pronunciations than in English, in hopes that this helps another person out there!
- Click here to download the Latin Vowel and Diphthong Pronunciation Key cards (document contains some consonants)
- Click here to go to our Latin Alphabet Coloring Book with matching Latin Alphabet Cards, which contain all the letters and most diphthongs.
The coloring book also contains a pronunciation key chart for all Latin consonants, vowels, and diphthongs. For our other Latin resources, click here.
