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Michael Clay Thompson: Secondary Vocabulary, Word Within The Word
For a complete overview of our Language Arts Curriculum go to: Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum.
Word Within The Word, by Michael Clay Thompson, is our middle and secondary level, vocabulary-building curriculum that is like no other and of which we are very proud. It is a complex, demanding, erudite and witty curriculum and schools and districts that have tried it are typically expanding their use of it.
It provides internalized, maximum, meaningful impact at the time students take SSATs and SATs. The SATs now include an extensive grammar section and students having both Word and Magic Lens in their background have a substantial advantage. The program makes the costly, time consuming, quick-fix/quick-forget tutorials of junior and senior high school years, things of the past.
Building Language and Caesar's English provide the elementary level curriculum.
To maximize the learning value of Word, the student books are designed to work in lock-step with The Magic Lens, a high-level grammar series by the same author.
It is a program that uses etymology, not memorization. Latin and Greek stems are presented as a system of thinking, a way of building, analyzing, spelling, pronouncing, using and choosing words. In consequence students will know far more than the list of words encountered in this course—the tens of thousands of words which are not listed, but which are expressions of the system.
The series is extensively used in grades 8-12 and is also appropriate for academically motivated grades 6-7.
The Word program is intended as a weekly effort; built on a cumulative basis from Volume I. Every test reinforces every list. Through constant review, ever increasing familiarity is built. This is a tremendously wonderful undertaking that combines learning and fun for the students.
There are 30 lessons in each book; Volume I covers lessons 1-30; Volume II lessons 31-60, and Volume III lessons 61-90. In Volume I there are 500 stems, both Greek and Latin, followed by 250 words made of those stems. (The term "stems" includes all word pieces: prefixes, suffixes, and roots.)
Lessons include: a Stems List; a Sentence Page designed to show how example words should be used; an Analogies Page which promotes thinking and prepares students for SSAT's and SAT's; Mystery Spelling and Mystery Questions pages designed to be enjoyable activities to show and to practice that it is not just the word one studies that one knows; a Notes Page or Stem Close-up Page that takes a closer look at the list of stems and highlights special points or adds information; an Ideas Page that expands the brain's contact with the stems through activities of synthesis, divergence, analysis, evaluation, intuition, emotion and esthetics; an Inventions Page that gives the student the opportunity to create words just as scientists, writers and others do; and Flip Side Tests which give the definition and ask the term.
See sample lessons with each book entry below.
The new edition of Word 1 contains sixty extra pages relating to the history of Ancient Greece in the Classical Period (from 490 to 323 BC.), with discussions, maps, timelines, and scores of especially-taken photographs of buildings, sculpture, and artefacts.This is the start of an exciting upgrade to the series helping students to better understand the roots of English.
See a video clip of the author's sometimes controversial views on teaching Vocabulary.
Go to our Practice Workbooks series to see the new supplements to all our vocabulary and grammar programs. These low-cost, consumable workbooks provide in-depth instruction with 100 practice sentences for four-level analysis.
Support Groups for users of Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts series: Homeschoolers and parents are invited to join the Support Group: MCTLA
Michael Clay Thompson Course Packages
We have made available special packages of the curriculum to help make your ordering easier and to help you save money. There are Complete and Basic packages for each stage of the curriculum: Homeschool Packages |
For a complete overview of our Language Arts Curriculum go to: Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum
Word within the Word, by Michael Clay Thompson, is our middle and secondary level, vocabulary-building curriculum that is like no other and of which we are very proud. It is a complex, demanding, erudite and witty curriculum and schools and districts that have tried it are typically expanding their use of it.
It provides internalized, maximum, meaningful impact at the time students take SSATs and SATs. The SATs now include an extensive grammar section and students having both Word and Magic Lens in their background have a substantial advantage. The program makes the costly, time consuming, quick-fix/quick-forget tutorials of junior and senior high school years, things of the past.
Building Language and Caesar's English provide the elementary level curriculum.
To maximize the learning value of Word, the student books are designed to work in lock-step with The Magic Lens, high-level grammar series by the same author.
It is a program that uses etymology, not memorization. Latin and Greek stems are presented as a system of thinking, a way of building, analyzing, spelling, pronouncing, using and choosing words. In consequence students will know far more than the list of words encountered in this course—the tens of thousands of words which are not listed, but which are expressions of the system.
The series is extensively used in grades 8-12 and is also appropriate for academically motivated grades 6-7.
The Word program is intended as a weekly effort; built on a cumulative basis from Volume I. Every test reinforces every list. Through constant review, ever increasing familiarity is built. This is a tremendously wonderful undertaking that combines learning and fun for the students.
There are 30 lessons in each book; Volume I covers lessons 1-30; Volume II lessons 31-60, and Volume III lessons 61-90. In Volume I there are 500 stems, both Greek and Latin, followed by 250 words made of those stems. (The term "stems" includes all word pieces: prefixes, suffixes, and roots.)
Lessons include: a Stems List; a Sentence Page designed to show how example words should be used; an Analogies Page which promotes thinking and prepares students for SSAT's and SAT's; Mystery Spelling and Mystery Questions pages designed to be enjoyable activities to show and to practice that it is not just the word one studies that one knows; a Notes Page or Stem Close-up Page that takes a closer look at the list of stems and highlights special points or adds information; an Ideas Page that expands the brain's contact with the stems through activities of synthesis, divergence, analysis, evaluation, intuition, emotion and esthetics; an Inventions Page that gives the student the opportunity to create words just as scientists, writers and others do; and Flip Side Tests which give the definition and ask the term.
The new edition of Word 1 contains sixty extra pages relating to the history of Ancient Greece in the Classical Period (from 490 to 323 BC.), with discussions, maps, timelines, and scores of especially-taken photographs of buildings, sculpture, and artefacts.This is the start of an exciting upgrade to the series helping students to better understand the roots of English.
See sample lessons for each book below
See a video clip of the author's sometimes controversial views on teaching Vocabulary.
Go to our Practice Workbooks series to see the new supplements to all our vocabulary and grammar programs. These low-cost, consumable workbooks provide in-depth instruction with 100 practice sentences for four-level analysis.
Support Groups for users of Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts series
Teachers and educators in schools are invited to join the Group: MCTteachers
Michael Clay Thompson Course Packages
We have made available special packages of the curriculum so that educations can see samples of the books, and to help save money. Includes student book and teacher's manual for each stage of the curriculum: School Examination Packages
Books in this series:
Word Within The Word, Vol I: Student
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay; Kemnitz, Dr Thomas Milton
- Subjects:
- English Language Arts; Vocabulary; Classical Education; Ancient Greece
- Age:
- 11, 12, 13, 14
- Grade:
- 6, 7, 8, 9
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-6041
- Latest edition:
- October 2012
- Order code:
- 6041
- Price:
- $35.00
- Online Price:
- $20.00
- Class sets:
- 25 or more: $18.00 each. (Order code: 6041S)
This new edition of Word Within the Word Volume I is part of our planned revamping of the MCT Secondary Vocabulary series. It still has its main focus on teaching vocabulary, with the original first thirty Lessons containing Latin and Greek stems, word lists, activities and tests, but each lesson now has historical discussions and illustrations that offer students a greater understanding of the classical roots of the English language.
In the first volume we present an extensive discussion of the history of Greece in the Classical Period from 490 to 323 BC. There are maps, timelines, and scores of specially-taken photographs of buildings, sculpture and artefacts.
There are 500 word stems, both Greek and Latin, followed by 250 words made of those stems. The term "stem" includes all word pieces: prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
Volume 1 features Darius and Xerxes, Leonidas and Themistocles, Cimon and Pericles, the Spartans and the Athenians, the Peloponnesian and Delian Leagues, Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy, Alcibiades and Socrates, and finally Philip and Alexander of Macedonia. There is an enormous amount of historical material, including descriptions of how the Spartans lived, the strategies of various battles, how people voted, the origin and practice of ostracism, the importance of the navy, and the building of the glorious Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.
There is an enormous amount of historical material, including descriptions of how the Spartans lived, the strategies of various battles, the functioning of democracy and the jury system in Athens, the practice of ostracism, the importance of the navy in Athens, the Spartan system of education, and the building of the glorious Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. Interspersed amongst the activity pages are vignettes of aspects of life in ancient Greece as depicted in vases, statuettes, and artifacts so that we learn not only about helmets and shields but also about hairstyles, musical instruments, and sports.
Historian, Dr TM Kemnitz, says: "Our intention is to give students enough of a picture of ancient Greece so that they can understand what occurred and why. So much of history written for students is little more than a story devoid of meaningful context. It is the context that helps to explain why people acted as they did, and which helps us to understand that history is not a story of actions but rather a series of reactions. The history is enrichment; the purpose of the book remains to help students learn English vocabulary, specifically the academic English of learned discourse."
There is a new Homeschool Parent Manual for this edition
This new edition of Word Within the Word Volume I is part of our planned revamping of the MCT Secondary Vocabulary series. It still has its main focus on teaching vocabulary, with the original first thirty Lessons containing Latin and Greek stems, word lists, activities and tests, but each lesson now has historical discussions and illustrations that offer students a greater understanding of the classical roots of the English language.
In the first volume we present an extensive discussion of the history of Greece in the Classical Period from 490 to 323 BC. There are maps, timelines, and scores of specially-taken photographs of buildings, sculpture and artefacts.
There are 500 word stems, both Greek and Latin, followed by 250 words made of those stems. The term "stem" includes all word pieces: prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
Volume 1 features Darius and Xerxes, Leonidas and Themistocles, Cimon and Pericles, the Spartans and the Athenians, the Peloponnesian and Delian Leagues, Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy, Alcibiades and Socrates, and finally Philip and Alexander of Macedonia. There is an enormous amount of historical material, including descriptions of how the Spartans lived, the strategies of various battles, how people voted, the origin and practice of ostracism, the importance of the navy, and the building of the glorious Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.
There is an enormous amount of historical material, including descriptions of how the Spartans lived, the strategies of various battles, the functioning of democracy and the jury system in Athens, the practice of ostracism, the importance of the navy in Athens, the Spartan system of education, and the building of the glorious Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. Interspersed amongst the activity pages are vignettes of aspects of life in ancient Greece as depicted in vases, statuettes, and artifacts so that we learn not only about helmets and shields but also about hairstyles, musical instruments, and sports.
Historian, Dr TM Kemnitz, says: "Our intention is to give students enough of a picture of ancient Greece so that they can understand what occurred and why. So much of history written for students is little more than a story devoid of meaningful context. It is the context that helps to explain why people acted as they did, and which helps us to understand that history is not a story of actions but rather a series of reactions. The history is enrichment; the purpose of the book remains to help students learn English vocabulary, specifically the academic English of learned discourse."
There is a new Teacher Manual for this edition.
The Word Within the Word Vol I New Edition Lesson 10: 
View online or 
Download PDF
Word Within The Word, Vol I: Teacher, New Edition
- Author:
- Kemnitz, Dr Thomas Milton; Thompson, Michael Clay
- Subjects:
- English Language Arts; Vocabulary; Classical Education; Ancient Greece
- Latest edition:
- October 2012
- Order code:
- 6065
- Price:
- $55.00
- Online Price:
- $40.00
Word Within The Word, Vol I: Parent Manual, New Edition
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Subjects:
- English Language Arts; Vocabulary; Classical Education; Ancient Greece
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-6089
- Latest edition:
- October 2012
- Order code:
- 6089
- Price:
- $35.00
- Online Price:
- $20.00
We have listened to parents who wanted more material in the Parent Manual. This edition is much expanded, making it easier for you to teach your children.
Note that this Manual is a supplement to the Student Manual. It does not replace it.
Word Within The Word, Vol I: Student Manual
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Subjects:
- English Language Arts; Vocabulary
- Grade:
- 6, 7, 8, 9
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-586-0
- Latest edition:
- july 2011
- Order code:
- 5868
- Price:
- $30.00
- Online Price:
- $20.00
- Class sets:
- 25 or more: $18.00 each. (Order code: 5868S)
Because this edition of The Word Within the Word Volume 1 has been superceded, it can be ordered only by telephoning the office (845) 726 4444.
Word Within The Word, Volume 2: Teacher Manual
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-693-5
- Latest edition:
- August 2010 3rd Edition
- Order code:
- 6935
- Price:
- $40.00
- Online Price:
- $30.00
NOTE: This book is for sale only to teachers; we will ship only to school addresses.
Also completely revised in 2007.
Word Within The Word, Vol 2: Student Manual
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Subjects:
- English Language Arts; Vocabulary
- Age:
- 12, 13, 14, 15
- Grade:
- 7, 8, 9, 10
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-692-8
- Latest edition:
- February 2012 Revised Third Edition
- Order code:
- 6928
- Price:
- $30.00
- Online Price:
- $20.00
- Class sets:
- 25 or more: $18.00 each. (Order code: 6928S)
Volume Two, extensively refined and improved in 2007 includes:
- a better (visual) way of indicating whether a stem is Greek or Latin
- flip-side questions on every weekly test
- word-creation exercises in every list
- explanations of the interaction of different kinds of thinking processes
- an exciting range of creative and imaginative activities
- extensive references to the language of classic literature
- guides to pronunciation
- Spanish word lists
- lots more fun ways to look at words and language but still in a rigorous curriculum context
Volume Two develops what was begun in Volume One. See above, and at the top of the page for details of the series.
Volume Two, extensively refined and improved in 2007, includes:
- a better (visual) way of indicating whether a stem is Greek or Latin
- flip-side questions on every weekly test
- word-creation exercises in every list
- explanations of the interaction of different kinds of thinking processes
- an exciting range of creative and imaginative activities
- extensive references to the language of classic literature
- guides to pronunciation
- Spanish word lists
- lots more fun ways to look at words and language but still in a rigorous curriculum context
Volume Two develops what was begun in Volume One. See above, and at the top of the page for details of the series.
Lesson 40: View online or Download PDF
Word Within The Word. Vol 2. HOME SCHOOL PARENT ANSWER MANUAL
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Grade:
- 7, 8, 9, 10
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-558-7
- Latest edition:
- 2005
- Order code:
- 5587
- Price:
- $20.00
- Online Price:
- $10.00
This book supplements the Student Manual. It does not replace it.
Word 2 Parent book sample pages 1-18: View online or Download PDF
Word Within The Word, Vol 3: Student Manual
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Subjects:
- English Language Arts; Vocabulary
- Age:
- 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
- Grade:
- 8, 9, 10, 11
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-204-3
- Latest edition:
- July 2011
- Order code:
- 2044
- Price:
- $30.00
- Online Price:
- $20.00
- Class sets:
- 25 or more: $18.00 each. (Order code: 2044S)
Lesson 70: View online or Download PDF
Word Within The Word, Volume 3: Teacher Manual
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-205-0
- Latest edition:
- 1995
- Order code:
- 2052
- Price:
- $40.00
- Online Price:
- $30.00
NOTE: This book is for sale only to teachers; we will ship only to school addresses.
Word Within The Word. Vol 3. HOME SCHOOL PARENT ANSWER MANUAL
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Grade:
- 8, 9, 10, 11
- ISBN:
- 978-0-88092-559-0
- Latest edition:
- 2008
- Order code:
- 5590
- Price:
- $20.00
- Online Price:
- $10.00
This book supplements the Student Book. It does not replace it.
Word 3 Parent Guide sample pages: View online or Download PDF
Word Within The Word. Alternative Test Book A
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Grade:
- 6, 7, 8, 9
- Order code:
- 2176
- Price:
- $25.00
Only for purchasers of the class sets, alternative test books are available for Word I. These books are designed to reduce the possibility of students cheating successfully on the tests.
Word Within The Word. Alternative Test Book B
- Author:
- Thompson, Michael Clay
- Grade:
- 6, 7, 8, 9
- Order code:
- 2230
- Price:
- $25.00
Only for purchasers of the class sets, alternative test books are available for Word I. These books are designed to reduce the possibility of students cheating successfully on the tests.
