In our vocabulary program, we are actually studying the roots of words, as well as some prefixes and suffixes. Why study word roots?
- Around 75% of our words come from Latin and Greek roots. Knowing what the roots mean can unlock the meaning of much of our English vocabulary.
- It’s easier to learn 100 roots than thousands of vocabulary words from a random list of words.
- Your student probably already knows many of the root words, so this will be an easy subject in school.
- Your student will gain valuable practice in using a dictionary and in alphabetizing words.
- Your student will look up each word root in Scripture and gain valuable skill in using a Strong’s concordance, as well as in seeing how our language is reflective in the meaning of Scripture verses.
Topics Covered
Our writing curriculum is intended for grades 4-8, although if your high-school students have never studied word roots, this would be a very valuable subject for them as well. We will cover 108 Latin and Greek word roots this year.
How to Use This Curriculum
WEEKLY FORMAT
In our home, we assign “Vocabulary” study to be done mostly independently.
Days 1-3: The student learns about 3 new word roots each week.
Day 4: The student reviews all the word roots learned so far that school year.
Day 5: We play a game together. (Note that “Day 5” can be a different day, not necessarily the actual 5th day of the week. Choose a day that is convenient for your schedule.)
SUPPLIES NEEDED
Option 1 – If you don’t mind printing lots of pages
Each student has a vocabulary notebook, and he can continue to add to it through the year. Download a blank vocabulary page and print enough for 3 per week (for a total of 108 for the school year). Each page will hold one word root, and the student will fill out 3 pages per week. The student will put the filled-out pages in his notebook in alphabetical order.
Option 2 – If you’d rather save some ink
Each student has a stack of 3″x5″ lined index cards, plus a card file box to store them in, and a pack of alphabetizing divider tabs to make sorting easier (optional). Download the blank vocabulary page, and print one for your student to use as a template. The student will fill out 3 cards per week (for a total of 108 for the school year). (The picture can be drawn on the back side of the card.) The student will put the filled-out cards in his file box in alphabetical order.
Other Supplies:
- The student will need a copy of the Master Word Root List (which could be folded up and inserted in the front of his file box).
- A college dictionary. You could also use an online dictionary, but there is some value in using a printed dictionary, so if you have access to a college dictionary, this is preferable.
- A Strong’s concordance. You can use an online version.
The Teacher Will Need:
Game Ideas
- Click here for fun games that can be played for a weekly review of all word roots.
Need Help Teaching Writing?
We’d love to help! Send us an email if you’re having trouble understanding or explaining a topic. We’ll make a video and show you how we teach it at our house. That’s what community is for!
About Foundations of Vocabulary
Foundations of Vocabulary is copyright 2013 by Anne Elliott.
All rights reserved. No part of this curriculum may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. You do have permission to photocopy the curriculum for your own personal use. You may select individual pages to copy, or you may copy the entire curriculum! It is up to you how much of the information you want to copy and for how many children in your family you want to use it. You can copy this curriculum for use in your immediate family only; redistributing the book to other families is strictly prohibited.
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).
Published by Foundations Press.
