Roots and Fruits: A Comprehensive Vocabulary Curriculum

ElaAll Grades

Roots and Fruits: Greek and Latin Etymology-Based Vocabulary Program

Roots and Fruits is a flexible vocabulary curriculum that teaches 797 Greek and Latin roots and 2,449 vocabulary words to students from kindergarten through high school. The program emphasizes morphological analysis and dictionary skills through a structured weekly routine of root instruction, practice activities, and sentence creation.

Best for

Homeschool families seeking a long-term vocabulary building program for multiple children of different ages, particularly those wanting to emphasize Greek and Latin etymology

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 concern · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum builds systematic knowledge of Greek and Latin etymology, which supports broader vocabulary understanding.

Program teaches 797 roots in a structured sequence and includes identifying whether roots are Greek or Latin origin

Direct InstructionStrength

The program includes explicit instruction with clear weekly lesson plans and teacher-led presentations.

Lessons begin with parent presenting roots and meanings, followed by structured practice, and include specific daily activities

Retrieval PracticeStrength

Strong emphasis on review and spaced practice through notecard systems and accumulated vocabulary.

Students review notecards daily, keep cards from previous years for continual review, and the program can be used over multiple years

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

This is specifically designed as a comprehensive vocabulary curriculum with strong morphological focus.

Teaches 2,449 vocabulary words based on Greek and Latin roots, includes SAT vocabulary, and uses dictionary skills and synonym work

Writing InstructionConcern

Limited writing instruction, mainly focused on sentence creation with vocabulary words.

Students create sample sentences using vocabulary words and sometimes combine multiple vocabulary words in sentences

Teacher TrainingNeutral

Provides general instructions and guidance but requires significant teacher preparation and planning.

Review notes teachers must 'spend more time planning lessons, deciding which activities to use, preparing sample sentences' and includes general instructions and lesson plans

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

While not a phonics program, it supports decoding skills through morphological awareness.

Review notes the program helps with 'spelling, decoding' and helps children 'grasp that words often have more than one syllable'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

This curriculum focuses on vocabulary instruction rather than reading whole books or excerpts.

The program teaches vocabulary through root words and dictionary work, with no mention of literature or complete texts

Text ComplexityInsufficient Evidence

Does not address text complexity as this is primarily a vocabulary-focused curriculum.

No mention of reading texts of varying complexity levels in the review

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

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Key Facts

GradesAll Grades

SubjectEla

PedagogyNot specified

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Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy