General vocabulary study makes sense for the younger grades, but the type of more specialized study with Greek and Latin roots we find in the Vocabulary from Classical Roots series becomes more useful for older children since they should have already built up a foundational vocabulary and can start to make connections with prefixes, suffixes, and roots. The publisher recommends levels 4, 5, and 6 for grades four through six and Books A through E for grades seven through eleven. The letter designations for the upper-level books make them easily adaptable to students above and below the recommended levels.
The series draws upon both Greek and Latin roots simultaneously to expand students’ English vocabulary. For example, the second lesson in Book A begins by introducing the Greek word tri and the Latin word tres, both meaning three. It goes on to a study of the words trilogy, trisect, and triumvirate. Greek and Latin words are not always this similar. For instance, Lesson Four introduces the Greek word pan and the Latin word omnis, both meaning all.
Students with some exposure to Greek or Latin will immediately recognize the derivation of words from those languages. Other students without prior knowledge of those languages will develop some familiarity with Greek and Latin simply by using these workbooks.
Suggestions for extended writing activities in Books A through E help older students to apply new vocabulary. Books D and E add exercises for testing vocabulary within the context of short articles. Periodic review exercises help students retain knowledge.
Each book is written at an increasingly difficult level. Words with similar roots are grouped thematically for ease of study. A variety of exercises—including work with synonyms, antonyms, analogies, and sentence completion—helps students master the vocabulary. In addition, "Nota benes" (important notes) include etymological, literary, historical, and geographic references that help develop cultural literacy.
While students can work independently through most of the lessons, discussion should be helpful for most students.
A teachers guide and answer key for each level has teaching suggestions, exercise answers, and glossaries of some of the literary and historical references.
