In this class, we will work from the vocabulary workbook The Joy of Vocabulary by Norman Levine, completing five chapters together. I have used this workbook in English classes for two decades and consider it the best tool I've ever come across for expanding understanding of the English language. 

Each chapter introduces a new set of Greek and Latin roots and prefixes, and provides a list of 18 to 25 words that show these word parts in action. For example, the first chapter's theme is "Number Words" which features number prefixes starting with "Bi" and going through to "Deca" as well as a list of words derived from those prefixes. Next, each chapter gives sets of exercises on which the student may practice usage and meaning. Exercises are varied and creative, and include analogies, practice with concise writing, and sentence usage (to name a few). 

With root meanings internalized, students will be able to approximate the meanings of words they have never seen--just by knowing the meaning of the roots or prefixes. This is excellent preparation for the SAT and other exams that require understanding of advanced vocabulary. 

Our class will meet twice a week for five weeks, and complete one chapter in the workbook per week, for a total of five chapters. Each student will need to get a copy of the workbook for the class. 

In each first session of the week, we will discuss the roots and word list. I will add to the book definitions and provide examples and additional perspective on the words. At the end, we will play a quizzing game. The next step for the student will be to complete the exercises for the chapter independently; then, in our second meeting for the week, we will discuss the answers to all of the exercises for the chapter. 

Week 1: Chapter 1 Number words (bi through deca) 
Week 2: Chapter 2 Phobia, Mania and Phile words
Week 3: Chapter 3 'One' and 'Many' words (mono, uni, poly, multi)
Week 4: Chapter 4 'Over and 'Under' words (hyper, hypo, super, sub) 
Week 5: Chapter 7 Medical Vocabulary (anatomical roots like 'card' and 'derm', suffix itis)