Vocabulary

Vocabulary CurriculumVocabulary Resources

Vocabulary (voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee) -noun, plural = laries
  1. The stock of words used by or known to a particular people or group of persons: His Spanish vocabulary is limited. Technical vocabulary is always expanding.
  2. A list or collection of the words or phrases of a language, technical field, etc., usually arranged in alphabetical order and defined: Study the vocabulary in the third chapter of your textbook.
  3. The words of a language
  4. Any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication: vocabulary of a computer
  5. Any more or less specific group of forms characteristic of an artist, a style of art, architecture, or the like
[origin: ML vocabularium, n. use of neut. of vocabularius of words, equiv. to L vocabul(um) or "word" + arius or "pertaining to"]

As a young student, I was once given a large hardcover children's dictionary. It was full of brightly colored pictures and had about twenty words per page. I was fascinated by the book and spent hours reading the definitions. Later on, I read quite a bit and thus gained a decent familiarity with words. Occasionally I would ask my mother the question, "What does this word mean?" And she would invariably answer, "Go look it up!" Sometimes I followed through and did, but mostly my lazy side would win out and I wouldn't bother to look up the meaning. While I did have spelling exercises, and I was usually required to look up the definitions of the words on my spelling lists, that was pretty much the extent of my formal vocabulary training. That background has proven to be perfectly adequate for my daily life, but it was a haphazard approach to vocabulary.

By contrast, a number of my friends learned Latin as children—or at least learned Latin and Greek roots. There have been several instances when we have together come across words that we didn't know. I had to search for a dictionary to look it up; they were able to make an educated guess at the meaning of the word, saying, "that root means this, and this root means that, so the word must mean something like..." How I covet that skill!

To be sure, we'll function just fine without learning word roots. In our modern age of computers and the Internet, we have dictionaries galore at our fingertips, and can quickly find the meaning of a word if we need it. But with so much of the English language derived from classical roots (many other languages are, too!), it seems wise to pursue knowledge of those roots. Therefore, nearly all the curricula we carry are root-based.

The main exception to this is the Wordly Wise 3000 series, which teaches a carefully selected list of 3,000 words culled from current popular literature and high-stakes tests.

Did you find this review helpful?
172 Items found Print
Active Filters: New Books & Materials
American Language Series - Phonics & Reading Guide
by Susan Kemmerer
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$5.00
American Language Series K - Teacher Guide Flash Drive
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$39.95
Analogies 1
by Arthur Liebman
from Educators Publishing Service
for 7th-8th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$12.79
Analogies 2
by Arthur Liebman
from Educators Publishing Service
for 9th-10th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$12.79 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Analogies 3
by Arthur Liebman
from Educators Publishing Service
for 11th-12th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$12.79
At the Farm
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$15.95 $9.50 (2 in stock)
Book of Roots
by Paul O'Brien
from Memoria Press
for 3rd-8th grade
in Memoria Press Latina Christiana (Location: FL-LATCHR)
$26.20
Critical Thinking Detective: Vocabulary Book 1
by Diane Hartsig
1st edition from Critical Thinking Books
in Critical Thinking Vocabulary (Location: VOC-CTP)
$8.99
Critical Thinking Detective: Vocabulary Book 2
by Diane Hartsig
1st edition from Critical Thinking Books
in Critical Thinking Vocabulary (Location: VOC-CTP)
$8.99
Daily Academic Vocabulary, Grade 5
from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for 5th grade
in Evan-Moor Vocabulary (Location: ZCLE-EM)
$18.00 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Dr. Dooriddles A1
by John H. Doolittle
from Critical Thinking Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Dr. Funster & Dr. Dooriddles (Location: LOG-DR)
$10.99
Dr. Dooriddles A2
by John H. Doolittle
from Critical Thinking Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Dr. Funster & Dr. Dooriddles (Location: LOG-DR)
$10.99
Dr. Dooriddles A3
by John H. Doolittle
from Critical Thinking Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Dr. Funster & Dr. Dooriddles (Location: LOG-DR)
$10.99
Dr. Dooriddles B1
by John H. Doolittle
from Critical Thinking Books
for 4th-7th grade
in Dr. Funster & Dr. Dooriddles (Location: LOG-DR)
$10.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Dr. Dooriddles B2
by John H. Doolittle
from Critical Thinking Books
for 4th-7th grade
in Dr. Funster & Dr. Dooriddles (Location: LOG-DR)
$10.99
Fun in the Sun
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$13.95
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 1 - Dictionary
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$15.00
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 1 - Set
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$72.00
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 1 - Student Book
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 1st grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$37.50
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 2 - Dictionary
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 2nd grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$15.00
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 2 - Set
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 2nd grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$72.00
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 2 - Student Book
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 2nd grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$37.50
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 3 - Set
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 3rd grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$62.50
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 3 - Student Workbook
from Alpha Omega Publications
for 3rd grade
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$37.50
Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary 3 - Teacher's Guide
from Alpha Omega Publications
in Horizons Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: SPE-HOR)
$17.95 $12.00 (2 in stock)
Jensen's Format Writing
by Frode Jensen
2nd edition from Master Books
Writing Curriculum for 7th-12th grade
in Jensen's English (Location: GRA-JENSEN)
$21.59 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Jensen's Format Writing - DVD Supplement
by Frode Jensen
3rd edition from Wordsmiths
Writing Curriculum for 7th-12th grade
in Jensen's English (Location: GRA-JENSEN)
$20.00 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Jensen's Grammar
by Frode Jensen
from Master Books
for 7th-12th grade
in Jensen's English (Location: GRA-JENSEN)
$35.99 $22.00 (1 in stock)
Jensen's Grammar - DVD Supplement
by Frode Jensen
from Master Books
for 7th-12th grade
in Jensen's English (Location: GRA-JENSEN)
$26.40 $20.00 (1 in stock)
Jensen's Grammar - Text Only
by Frode Jensen
from Wordsmiths
for 7th-12th grade
$18.00
Jensen's Punctuation
by Frode Jensen
from Wordsmiths
for 6th-9th grade
$15.00
Jensen's Punctuation
by Frode Jensen
2nd edition from Master Books
for 6th-9th grade
in Jensen's English (Location: GRA-JENSEN)
$21.59 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Jensen's Vocabulary
by Frode Jensen
from Master Books
for 7th-10th grade
in Jensen's English (Location: GRA-JENSEN)
$28.79
Jumbles
by Noreen Conte
13.01th edition from Critical Thinking Books
for 3rd-5th grade
in Critical Thinking Vocabulary (Location: VOC-CTP)
$11.99
Megawords 1
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 1 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
Megawords 2
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 7th-9th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 2 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 5th-6th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Megawords 3
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 6th-7th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 3 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
Megawords 4
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 4 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
Megawords 5
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 5 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
Megawords 6
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 6 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
Megawords 7
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Megawords 7 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
Megawords 8
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49
Megawords 8 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
121st edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69
On the Trail
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$15.95
Painless Vocabulary
by Michael Greenberg
3rd edition from Barron's
for 4th-8th grade
in Vocabulary Resources (Location: REF-VOC)
$9.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Phonics & Reading K - Book One
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$18.95
Phonics & Reading K - Book Two
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$18.95
Primary Analogies 2
from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$11.19
Primary Analogies 2 - Teacher Guide
from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$10.29 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Primary Analogies 3
from Educators Publishing Service
for 3rd grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$11.19
Primary Analogies 3 - Teacher Guide
from Educators Publishing Service
for 3rd grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$10.29
Readers in Residence Volume 1
by Debra Bell
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 4th-6th grade
in Miscellaneous Literature Curriculum (Location: LITCUR-MISC)
$64.00
Readers in Residence Volume 1 - Answer Key
by Debra Bell
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 4th-6th grade
in Miscellaneous Literature Curriculum (Location: LITCUR-MISC)
$12.00
Ridgewood Analogies 2
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 5th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$11.79
Ridgewood Analogies 2 - Guide
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 5th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$5.29
Ridgewood Analogies 3
by Deborah Burde, Gae Brunner, George Lisbonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 6th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$11.79
Ridgewood Analogies 3 - Guide
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 6th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$5.29
Ridgewood Analogies 4
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 7th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$11.79
Ridgewood Analogies 4 - Guide
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 7th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$5.29
Ridgewood Analogies 5
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 8th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$11.79
Ridgewood Analogies 5 - Guide
by George Libonate
from Educators Publishing Service
for 8th grade
in EPS Analogies (Location: LOG-EPS)
$5.29
Scamp and Tramp
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$15.95
Science Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles Grades 4-6
by Noreen Conte
from Critical Thinking Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Critical Thinking Vocabulary (Location: VOC-CTP)
$12.00
Soft and White
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$15.95
Sounds of the Sea
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$15.95 $9.50 (1 in stock)
Spectrum Spelling Grade 4
by School Specialty Publishing
from Spectrum
in Spectrum Spelling & Vocabulary (Location: ZCLE-SPEC)
$7.00
Spectrum Vocabulary Grade 6 (old)
from Spectrum
for 6th grade
$5.00
Spelling DooRiddles B1
by John Doolittle
from Critical Thinking Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Spelling Resources (Location: REF-SPE)
$9.99
Spelling, Writing, & Vocabulary - Book One
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$18.95
Spelling, Writing, & Vocabulary - Book Two
American Language Series
by Guyla Nelson & Saundra Lamgo
from Mile-Hi Publishers
for Kindergarten
in American Language Series (Location: PHO-AMLAN)
$18.95
Vocabulary From Classical Roots 4
by Lee Mountain
from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$18.69
Vocabulary from Classical Roots 4 - Teacher's Guide
from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots 5
by Lee Mountain
from Educators Publishing Service
for 5th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$18.69
Vocabulary from Classical Roots 5 - Teacher's Guide
from Educators Publishing Service
for 5th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59
Vocabulary From Classical Roots 6
by Lee Mountain
from Educators Publishing Service
for 6th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$18.69
Vocabulary from Classical Roots 6 - Teacher Guide
from Educators Publishing Service
for 6th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59
Vocabulary From Classical Roots A
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 7th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$18.69
Vocabulary From Classical Roots A - Teacher Edition
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 7th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots B
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 8th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$18.69 $9.00 (3 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots B - Teacher Edition
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 8th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59
Vocabulary From Classical Roots C
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 9th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$18.69 $9.50 (2 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots C - Teacher Edition
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 9th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59 $16.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots D
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$19.99 $9.50 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary from Classical Roots D - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by Norma Fifer & Nancy Flowers
from Educators Publishing Service
Health for 10th grade
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots E
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 11th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$19.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots E - Teacher Edition
by Nancy Flowers & Norma Fifer
from Educators Publishing Service
for 11th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Vocabulary From Classical Roots (Location: VOC-VCR)
$35.59
Vocabulary Level A - Student Worktext
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 7th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$27.78 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary Level A - Teacher Edition
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 7th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$30.00 $14.50 (2 in stock)
Vocabulary Level B - Student Worktext
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 8th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$27.78 $16.00 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary Level B - Teacher Edition
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 8th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$30.00 $16.00 (2 in stock)
Vocabulary Level C - Student Worktext
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 9th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$27.78
Vocabulary Level C - Teacher Edition
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 9th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$30.00 $14.50 (1 in stock)
Vocabulary Level D - Student Worktext
BJU Vocabulary
3rd edition from Bob Jones University Press
for 10th grade
in BJU Vocabulary (Location: VOC-BJU)
$27.78 $15.00 (1 in stock)
12