Vocabulary From Classical Roots 4

In the case of this series, the sum is definitely more than the total of its parts. As the most important Latin and Greek roots are studied, students increase their vocabularies far more than the 240 words actually presented, since these roots form the basis for many additional words. Roots are grouped thematically in worktexts, with each of the sixteen lessons in every book introducing up to 15 words derived from two or more classical roots. Each lesson begins with a "root dictionary". The root and root forms are shown and defined in bold type, followed by English word(s) derived from that root. Each English word is shown in dictionary format with pronunciation key, definition(s) and word forms each followed by a sentence showing correct word usage in context. Small side boxes list additional words that are formed from the same root. A variety of exercises based on synonyms, antonyms, analogies, vocabularies in context, and sentence completion are provided at the end of lessons to insure mastery. The many literary, historical and geographical references are designed to increase the student's cultural literacy. After every two lessons, a creative or expository writing assignment is suggested, using words from the lessons , allowing the student to put into practice the words he's learned.

Answers are available in the Answer Key, but if you want a little more help, opt for the Teacher Key. The Teacher Key is a valuable resource, as it complements, extends, and enriches the series. It provides tips for individual learning needs and shows how to ensure that students are building upon earlier skills. It gives support for every lesson, provides blackline masters to reinforce key words, gives additional review activities and vocabulary games, and includes a glossary and answer key for the student books.

Test Booklets (with answers) are available as well. The single test is non-reproducible while the more expensive version (only available for Grades 4, 5, 6) can be copied for classroom or home use.

You get a lot of educational value for your money here. This series would be beneficial to parents too - especially those that didn't attend parochial school or study the classical languages!

This great series follows the same basic format as the original upper levels, but it is simpler and contains exercises and words geared toward younger students. Each Student Book includes 16 lessons teaching many English words with roots, prefixes, and suffixes originating from 40 different Greek and Latin words. Each lesson presents 8-10 words derived from classical roots, with the root forms defined in bold type at the beginning of the lesson.

Like the original series, the roots are grouped thematically, and each resulting English word is shown in dictionary format with a pronunciation key, definition, and sentence showing correct word usage in context. Each lesson then provides a variety of exercises combining matching, fill in the blank, multiple choice, antonyms and synonyms, using vocabulary in context, and sentence completion activities. These exercises ensure students comprehend the Greek and Latin roots. After each set of three lessons, there is a review lesson that cumulatively reviews the words in the previous three lessons with additional fill-in-the-blank, matching, and short writing exercises to cement the roots and words in students' minds.

Answers to the exercises are not included in the Student Books, but there are individual Answer Keys for each book. The Teacher Guides also include all the answers to the student books, along with lesson plans that help assess knowledge, provide oral activities and additional written activities, and present additional strategies to help teachers construct a sensible and effective way to teach vocabulary from a roots-based perspective, even if they have no background in classical languages.

Test Books are also available, which provide multiple choice tests for each lesson, formatted like standardized tests. Eight test questions are asked for each lesson, with twenty questions for the review lessons. We offer both the non-reproducible tests, where students answer directly in the book, and reproducible ones, which are the same tests but are legally reproducible so you can make as many copies as you need. This series is just as useful and effective as the upper Vocabulary from Classical Roots series and is a great, inexpensive resource for teaching younger students important Greek and Latin roots. ~ Rachel