Anyone use either of these programs? This is the year I want to start Greek and Latin basics/rootwords and these are two that I've found. I don't want a complete language program, I'm just looking for vocabulary right now. Thanks!....and if anyone has either for sale, let me know!
I"ve not heard anything about Words on the Vine, but I've used English from the Roots Up. No, I don't have it for sale...it's a book I want to keep for rererence. There's a Volume II out, BTW. I wanted to buy it at CHEO, but was on a VERY TIGHT budget! I love the concept, and have found it has helped with vocabulary. It has helped ME when I teach, because I am constantly pointing out the roots, or asking if anyone can figure out the roots. When I first started the book, about three years back, Rachael came up tome one day and announced that OCT must mean 8 in Latin or Greek, because an OCTogon has eight sides, and an OCTopus has eight legs..... When I first used it, I would pick a root, introduce the words, and use them for spelling words. (She's a great speller!)
We have never used a "formal" Greek/Latin roots book yet, but we've talked about it so much (I was an English major, remember :lol: ) that he picks out roots like that, too. He might not get the original language right, but he's pretty good at picking out the meaning of the root by examining several words that sound alike with like meanings. Guess unschooling works for some, huh? :lol: Well, I'd like to know more about the exercises in English from the Roots Up. I can't get a sample page anywhere to save my life, and the book descriptions only rave about SAT scores :roll: . Words on the Vine has "workbook" pages to reinforce the particular root where the child explores various vocabulary words in light of the root, and combined with other roots. They also have them writing sentences using the vocabulary words and seem to have a wide variety of activities to break up the boredom, if it occurs. Is English from the Roots up pretty stiff? Let me rephrase that.... :lol: ....is it pretty serious, like these are the words, lets write them, memorize them, etc. and go on to the next word.....or does it vary the activities and exercises with each new page? I know about the index cards with green or red an so forth, but is that most of the program? I read a review that stated that.
Now I know what you're looking for!!! No worksheets. A typical page has a large word big at the top, in either a red (Latin...r for Roman) or green (Greek) box, on this particular page VERBUM. Then beneath that is another box that reads: WORD verb- the action word in a sentence proverb- (pro-forward) a wise or profound saying verbal- of, or pertaining to, words (And on to contain a total of eight different words that come from VERBUM.) Under neath this, is a Teching Notes section, that further explains interesting suff you might want to bring out. Under that, is listed Extra Words. This one talks about the book of Proverbs. They suggest putting the root words on cards, color-coding them red or green, and writing the English words and meanings on the other side. If you're looking for worksheets, you would either have to make your own (I know a great free down-load for making crossword puzzles!), or you might want to go with the other program. Hope this helps!!!
Brooke, thanks for asking this question- I have been looking at both books as well. And Jackie, thanks for the great explanation. I am still undecided, any other users out there?? momx3
Thanks, Jackie! I think that answered my question, too! I'll look more at Words on the Vine for this year. I still need to keep it different and interesting. Ds is getting his spark back and I'd hate to snuff it out so soon. He is actually asking for certain material to learn about . I have my son back!!!!! (and in case anyone wonders why I seem to always be asking questions for ds and not dd, it's cuz she has never been tainted by ps and I rarely encounter issues with her concerning school work).....I have my son back!!! I have my son back!!!!
Brooke.. I also used English from the Roots Up and liked it. But at the time we did it, I was a newbie with HIGH LOFT GOALS my oldest was still too young and he couldn't write the index card or read them. :lol: :lol: Anyway, I really like the program. But also, there are cards already made up now. So you don't HAVe to have him write them, even though some moms swear that thats part of their child learning. I've seen it both ways depending on the child. Some use the ready made flashcards and others make theirs. HTH
