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Learn Latin & Greek Roots with WordUp!

A fun vocabulary study is under way in our homeschool. 

Better still, it is an independent study done on the computer in short, focused lessons.   

I have been seeing so much about WordUp from many of my friends on Instagram... now we are giving it a try! 

I am AMAZED at the learning taking place through this simple, humorous vocabulary show!  

I received a copy of this product in exchange for this review. The thoughts and opinions here are my own. We NEVER use something we don't like or cannot endorse wholeheartedly. This post contains affiliate links. 

About WordUp! the Vocab Show

WordUp comes in DVD or downloadable video format.  We are using the downloadable video - so simple to do! 

It is created by Compass Classroom -- also the creators of Visual Latin. 

Specifics about WordUp: 

  • 10 video lessons (SHORT!  12-15 minutes each)
  • covers 20 Latin & Greek roots
  • more than 200 English derivatives
  • links to Quizlet flashcards to coincide with each lesson

You can see sample lessons and videos to see if this is something you would like.

 I love a product that lets me try before I buy!  

And, did I mention this is all just $15? I think that's great for everything you get!  

Word Up! The Vocab Show from Compass Classroom

Why We LOVE WordUp!

My 10 year old son has been working through the lessons this summer. 

They are humorous (laugh out loud kind of funny) and keep his attention. That humor also makes the words STICK in his memory. 

Yesterday, when my son needed to get some water he said, "Mom, I'm very thirsty.  Time to HYDRATE!"  

He had learned this word was a derivative of the Greek HYDRO, or water. 

WordUp! is giving immediate, useful knowledge in a humorous manner. 

Each lesson comes with a link to Quizlet online. Here my son can practice all of the words in each lesson.

He can drill the flash cards, practice spelling, and play some games. 

Then, a test is generated. He can take that, print it out, and I have evidence of his learning. 

WordUp! lets me evaluate learning and I like that. 

Latin & Greek Word Study Pages

Using Notebooking Pages with WordUp!

WordUp! can stand all by itself. In fact, I know many people that just use the $15 video curriculum and are perfectly happy with that. 

We are taking it one step further by using our Notebooking Pages subscription (I have a Lifetime Membership, and this is included - you can also purchase the pages for just $2 as a set.).

 

I printed the Latin & Greek Word Study Notebooking Pages, and my son is creating a notebook to go along with WordUp!  He writes the English derivative, the definition, uses it in a sentence, and also determines the part of speech. 

When I discovered this connection I was VERY excited -- it makes a great resource even MORE meaningful for my guy. 

 

Here's a sample of one of the pages.  

As my son goes through the videos, he completes the information. You can see that it incorporates dictionary skills, writing skills, grammar skills, and more. 

Again -- this is TOTALLY OPTIONAL - but I really like this supplement. I'm even considering having my 13 year old complete this study later in the summer. 

Using Notebooking Pages to learn Latin & Greek Roots

Final Thoughts about WordUp!

I would encourage you to look at the samples of WordUp! and then give it a try. 

Whether you are supplementing a language study, or using this as your primary language study, I feel it is a superb way to learn English vocabulary and Latin & Greek roots. It requires very little work from the parent and is enjoyable for the student.

I'm so thankful to Compass Classroom for letting us try this product.  

It's a KEEPER!  

Word Up! The Vocab Show from Compass Classroom

5 Favorite Homeschool Memories

Homeschooling creates beautiful memories. 

Maybe it is a special field trip, unit study, or hands on project.   

Maybe it is just a magical DAY - where the stars aligned and everything fell into place for a perfect learning opportunity!  

Or, maybe a child has overcome something HUGE and YOU, their parent, had the opportunity to be the one with them as they achieved a goal or milestone.

Now that we have been homeschooling for almost 7 years, looking back on those memories is so precious.

I wouldn't trade those times for anything. 

As I mentally cataloged some of our favorite memories, I just knew I had to share them here - so maybe you could make a memory, too.

5 Favorite Homeschool Memories (that you can create, too)

#1:  The Gift of Five in a Row

Five in a Row  was an integral part of our homeschool when the kids were younger. 

Each and every book we "rowed" was precious to us, but one stands out in particular. 

We studied The Story About Ping  just as dear friends of ours were traveling to China to adopt their second child. This book was simply the jumping off point for a unit study about China. 

The Gift of Five in a Row: The Story About Ping

I vividly remember spending an entire morning at a local lake. We read the book together, then we watched the ducks PREEN themselves. (This was a vocabulary word.)   I also took a bag of books along about China and ducks.

We snacked, read books, sketched ducks, and enjoyed ourselves. 

It was a MAGICAL DAY. 

Once I got out of my children's way and let the traditional notions of SCHOOL leave my thinking, these memories began to happen more often.  

My advice? 

SLOW DOWN, embrace childhood, and realize the BEST learning is spontaneous, child-led, and unstructured. 

You can purchase Five in a Row and then choose what books you would like to row with your children.  You can use the curriculum as your core, or as a supplement. 

#2:  An AMAZING Field Trip

We saved our pennies to take an AMAZING field trip when the kids were little.  

This is something you can EASILY do -- just pick a destination (local or far away), learn about it (a lot!), and then visit.  

When we studied American History, my daughter was particularly interested in The Oregon Trail.  We planned a trip to Colorado, and then Wyoming, to visit many of the sites there, and walk on the Oregon Trail.  We visited Ames Pyramid, the highest point on the Transcontinental Railroad. 

The kids earned Junior Ranger badges at the Garden of the Gods and Fort Laramie. 

It was a memory my kids will NEVER forget.  We had a few VERY AWESOME homeschool days! 

5 Homeschool Memories (that you can create, too)

We didn't have a lot of money back then, and we worked hard and stretched ourselves to give our children a FABULOUS memory. Homeschooling allows us the very unique opportunity to learn from LIFE, and to learn ANYWHERE and ANY TIME.  Take advantage of this time you've been given and plan an awesome field trip!

 

3. Dissecting Owl Pellets

Ok, I know this is a funny one to have in my top 5 homeschool memories, but when I asked the kids things they remembered fondly, dissecting owl pellets was at the very top! 

We happened to take part in a dissection at a local nature study, but you can easily purchase an owl pellet study kit, and the dissection is easy, fun, and GROSS!  

Five Favorite Homeschool Memories (that you can create, too)

This led to an entire unit study about owls, and also many good memories. 

All of these shared homeschool memories strengthen our children's bond with us (and each other!). To me, this is one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling our children! 

4. Doing Something Hard -- and Succeeding!

Our homeschool took a large turn three years ago. 

We decided to join Classical Conversations.

5 Favorite Homeschool Memories (that you can create, too)

This was a difficult transition for my oldest (then 7th grade), because she is a creature of habit. We had been homeschooling in a certain way (and with a certain group of friends) and we changed gears dramatically. 

We're now entering our third year in Classical Conversations, and then Challenge Program has stretched her in ways I never could have imagined. She is learning Latin, writing beautiful papers - and she even WON the Challenge B science fair last year.  She LOVES her friends here and I've seen such growth in her.  

{My youngest loves it, too -- it just wasn't as hard a change for him because he was younger.}

If you know in your GUT you need to make a change, but are afraid to break out of the rut you are in - I encourage you to just DO IT. Doing hard things is so worth it, and modeling that courage and perseverance for our kids is such a valuable lesson.

 

5. Serving Through Operation Christmas Child

I love that homeschooling allows us time to slow down and help others.

Because I was on a blogger team that traveled to Ecuador to distribute boxes, my kids were able to get involved in OCC in BIG ways. 

Let your kids pack Operation Christmas Child boxes!!!  

They can pack boxes on their own or they can host a packing party.  Or, maybe they want to spearhead shoebox efforts in their own church or homeschool group. 

My daughter, Anna, collected all of her spare change for one year and packed a MOST EXCELLENT shoebox for a girl her age. 

Our Classical Conversations group packed 100 boxes together as a service project. 

We took a group of teens to volunteer at the shoebox processing center in Atlanta. 

A friend of mine helped her daughters (and Anna) sew dresses for shoeboxes. 

This such a wonderful ministry, and each year we look forward to packing boxes. 

(Click here to see more ideas I have for Operation Christmas Child)

Serving with your children creates memories that last and help grow our children into compassionate, caring adults. Whether it is packing shoeboxes or something else, serving is probably the most important homeschool subject out there!

Do you have a favorite homeschool memory?   Ask your kids and see what they say!  Or, make a list of all your favorite homeschool memories. Sometimes it is helpful to look back on all the wonderful times and see that HOMESCHOOLING IS SO WORTH IT!