Vocabulary Recs

[kbpaulie]

Tried to search, but alas no results. Can anyone make a vocabulary curric recommendation for DS10 for now or later? Currently using Spelling Workout. We don't do any foreign language, but he is interested in Latin and roots and such. Start w/ Vocabulary from Classical Roots 4 as listed in WTM or do you all like another vocabuarly prgm?

 

Would like something he could do mostly on his own. Not expensive. Open and go. Not too time consuming, but good restults.

 

I've also heard of English from Roots Up.

 

And can you tell me how you use this curric if not just as a straight up workbook prgm?

[TarynB]

We haven't used either of the programs you mentioned, but my DS10 really likes Wordly Wise 3000. If we weren't using that, we'd probably be using Vocab from Classical Roots, the first one you mentioned. Wordly Wise does cover Latin word roots but other programs may cover that just as or more thoroughly.

 

Anyway, just chiming in because Wordly Wise fits your criteria: independent, efficient, open and go workbook (definitely fits my DS preferences), inexpensive. My DS spends about 20 minutes on it two or three days per week, and that gets him through one lesson per week. There is also a free website that has "reinforcement activities", a.k.a. online games, built around the words for each lesson. That's his reward each week after finishing the workbook pages and he enjoys it. He's learning a lot and retaining well. I don't do tests, I just review orally with him. I only bought the workbook and the answer key.

 

Wordly Wise also has an online-only option with exercises that fully take the place of the hardcopy workbooks but I believe it is quite a bit more spendy to access and we haven't tried it.

 

If your DS is an advanced reader, you might consider going up a level (or two) from his grade level. You can see the complete word lists and online games for every level here (click on students). And workbook samples here at christianbook.com.

 

Good luck!

 

ETA: BTW, we used Spelling Workout also, through last year. Then dropped spelling this year in favor of the straight vocab program. It has worked out well.

[Chrysalis Academy]

We adore Caesar's English, from Michael Clay Thomas language arts program. Even if you don't use the rest of his stuff, this would be great to use as a stand-alone. Its 20 lessons alternate between the most frequently used Latin-based vocab from classic literature, and Latin stems. It's very discussion-heavy, you do it sitting on the couch together, it's not something you had off to the student. But it is wonderful, and the vocab is definitely sticking. There is a second volume - CE 2, that follows CE1.

[lexi]

We are going to try VocabuLit this spring. As my dd gets older I'lll be looking for something that presents word roots so I'll be listening in.

[loulou belle]

We are using Spelling Workout with Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary. My 10 yo dd loves it. Completely independent.

[kbpaulie]

Where do you buy the Salier-Oxford? (Trying to take a look at it.)

 

CE - what do I need for this? Student, teacher, other?

[loulou belle]

You can buy Vocab. Workshop from Kolbe, Amazon, Ebay, used book sellers, or straight from the source. I have not needed the teachers guide at all.

 

http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/levels_a2h.cfm

[Chrysalis Academy]

Where do you buy the Salier-Oxford? (Trying to take a look at it.)

 

CE - what do I need for this? Student, teacher, other?

 

If you buy the old/original CE, you just need the TM. If that's the only part of MCT you are using, the old version is fine. If you are using the whole Town level, the classical CE is nice because it ties in so nicely to the other pieces - grammar, writing, poetics, etc. But with the classical, I think you need both pieces unless you are planning on just doing it orally (with you reading it). I like having both the tm and sm for the classical version.

[cherimoya]

My 2nd & 4th graders use Wordly Wise 3000 Online purchased through Homeschool Buyers Co-op. It's a completely independent program. I especially like the immediate feedback for the kids.

[Crimson Wife]

My kids do the 2 Caesar's English books and then start Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop. I don't care much for what I've seen of MCT's middle school vocab books (Word within the Word). Plus DH swears that VW helped him improve his verbal SAT score tremendously. I do have the TM's for VW because I can get it through our charter school and it makes correcting the exercises easier. But it definitely isn't necessary if you can't get a copy.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

Where do you buy the Salier-Oxford? (Trying to take a look at it.)

 

CE - what do I need for this? Student, teacher, other?

 

Sadlier-Oxford has their own web site, just google it. Kolbe Academy also sells it I believe. I do have these without teahcer's manuals and they are great, but MCT Caesar's English is outstanding!

 

Wordly Wise online edition can be bought from Homeschool Buyer's co-op for about $40/year and you can access all 12 years of lessons!!

[kbpaulie]

Thanks for the feedback. So is anyone using the WTM rec of Voc from Classical Roots or able to compare that to the Voc Workshop?

[Crimson Wife]

Thanks for the feedback. So is anyone using the WTM rec of Voc from Classical Roots or able to compare that to the Voc Workshop?

 

I've looked at VfCR at our support group's curriculum fair and felt that they seemed rather heavy on "busywork". VW has practice exercises as well, but they seem more geared towards the kind of problems found on standardized tests like high school and college admissions tests. So it's easier for me to see the benefit of those. A big reason why I'm using a formal vocabulary program at all rather than just keeping a list from our reading is test prep. DD will be taking the SAT in 7th grade through the CTY talent search, and a good score on that would open up opportunities for her to do some interesting summer and/or distance learning opportunities.