Son1 and I started Latin Book One in December. I'm using the copies of the lessons available through the LBO yahoogroup; if after a couple more lessons (we've done four) I'm happy with it, I'll start looking for a copy of the book. I've been able to look at a copy thanks to interlibrary loan. So far I really like it.

Right now, in the first lessons, I sit with Son1 and work through everything with him, coaching and encouraging all the way. I think this is because it's a HUGE leap from Prima Latina, LOL, and I'm not at all sure what grammar he learned in public school. He's picking up speed as he gains confidence, so I think he'll be able to do the lessons on his own pretty soon, though I want to continue to do the first part with him (the readings). I'm looking forward to refreshing my college Latin and learning more.

So... we just take it in bite-size chunks, as much as seems good to work through in one sitting. The lessons seem to take about three days right now, so our new plan is to start each lesson on Monday and do some Latin practice or games to fill out the week. It may be the case that my son will start working through the lessons more quickly, but I'll want to make sure he has each lesson pretty solidly at whatever pace.

Along those lines, I'm about to add some Latin drill to help him see the big picture of the current conjugations and declensions. Once we get further along I would like to add Lingua Latina for fun reading practice.

As for how we tackle the lesson, we read the Latin reading bits aloud together. Then I coach him toward understanding while avoiding translation if I can, with this process: find the verb and identify it, find the subject, find the object or predicate whatever, note new vocabulary, read it in Latin again, then talk about how we would say it in English. I hope to drop the "say it in English" part at some point. Next, he reads the grammar explanation and I discuss it with him. Then he puts it all to work in the exercises (including explicit translation work). If he's really frustrated or balking (like the Monday we had started the lesson on Friday so it was unfamiliar already, oops), I work with him, again coaching him through every step.

This is the first Latin work that has challenged Son1, but I think he's going to enjoy it. We'll see how Lesson 5 goes this coming week :)