Vocabulary from Classical Roots (EPS)

Vocabulary from Classical Roots is an EPS Learning workbook series that teaches English vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes. It is sold in eight levels from Level 4 through Level E, with answer keys, teacher's guides, and tests.

Last updated: 2026-10-03 · Every Homeschool Editorial Team

At a glance

Method	Classical / subject-specialist / workbook
Worldview	Secular
Grades	Grades 4-11 (Levels 4, 5, 6, and A through E)
Formats	Print student books with answer keys, teacher's guides, and test booklets
Cost tier	Budget ($17.49 to $18.49 per student book as of October 2026)
Parent intensity	2
ESA-common	Varies by state; confirm with your program
Accredited	No (supplement)
Website	epslearning.com

Our scoreboard (1-5)

Criterion	Score	One-line reason
Academic rigor	4	Root-based vocabulary study across eight levels, grades 4 through 11
Ease of teaching	5	Student books with answer keys; the teacher's guide adds scaffolded instruction and activities
Content quality	4	Definitions with sentences, analogies, word histories, and writing prompts in each lesson
Flexibility	5	Modular; each level is a separate book
Value for money	5	$17.49 to $18.49 per student book and $9.99 per answer key at the EPS store
Worldview scope	5	Subject-matter vocabulary workbook
Visual/design	2	Workbook format; sample lessons are available to preview
Support resources	3	Teacher's guides, tests, sample lessons, and state-standards correlations

Who the publisher is

Vocabulary from Classical Roots is published by EPS Learning, the literacy publisher behind the SPIRE Literacy Suite, Wordly Wise, and Explode the Code, per the footer of its online store. The store offers both school pricing and consumer prices.

The series is described on the publisher's page as a comprehension and vocabulary program for grades 4 through 11. The levels sold at the store are Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, and Levels A through E, which correspond to grades 7 through 11.

The publisher states that more than 60 percent of English words derive from Greek and Latin roots, and describes the program as aimed at students building content-area vocabulary in social studies, science, and mathematics.

The core pedagogy

Each student book teaches vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots. Per the publisher's program page, the student books include dictionary-style definitions with illustrative sentences; synonym, antonym, analogy, and sentence-completion exercises; "Challenge Words"; "Nota Bene" sections that provide word histories and clarify commonly confused words; and expository and creative writing prompts in each lesson. Key Words are high-utility roots and affixes linked to grade-level standards and content-area curriculum.

The Teacher's Guide provides scaffolded instruction, literary, historical, and geographical references, games and activities, an answer key, and reproducible Key Word Activities. Test Book Blackline Masters assess mastery of every lesson with sentence-completion, vocabulary-application, and analogy questions modeled on those in high-stakes tests.

Signature mechanics: (1) Root families. Words are presented through the Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes that build them. (2) Word histories. "Nota Bene" sections give etymologies and clarify commonly confused words. (3) Graduated levels. The series runs from Level 4 through Level E, one book per grade. (4) Separate teacher materials. The student book, answer key, Teacher's Guide, and tests are each sold separately.

How a lesson runs

The publisher's page offers sample lessons that show the format, including Book A Lesson 2 with its key and a lessons 1 and 2 test, Book C Lesson 4, and Book E Lesson 4. Each lesson includes the exercises and writing prompts described above, and each lesson is assessed with a test from the test booklet or the blackline masters. The publisher's pages do not specify a daily time commitment.

What they do exceptionally well

Root-based vocabulary instruction. The program's design centers on Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes. The publisher states that this equips students to unlock the meanings of thousands of words, a claim that is the publisher's own.

Modular, low-cost levels. Each level is a separate book. At the EPS store, a student book is $17.49 to $18.49 and an answer key is $9.99, so a family can buy one level at a time.

Assessment materials included in the line. Test booklets ($9.99) and blackline test masters ($39.49) are available, along with correlations to state standards.

What they do poorly

Workbook format. The series is a print workbook with exercises and writing prompts. Students who need a more visually varied format may find the page plain; the sample lessons let families judge the layout before buying.

Teacher materials are sold separately. The answer key ($9.99) and the Teacher's Guide and Answer Key ($42.49) are separate purchases from the student book, which adds to a family's total.

Written for classroom use. The publisher's pages and store are organized around school and district purchasing, with class sets for 25 students and a "log in for best pricing" option for schools. Home families buy at the consumer price.

Who it fits / who it doesn't

• Pick Vocabulary from Classical Roots if: you want a modular vocabulary workbook organized around Greek and Latin roots; you want one level per grade from grade 4 through grade 11; you want separate answer keys and tests; budget is a constraint.

• Skip Vocabulary from Classical Roots if: you want a vocabulary program integrated into a broader literature or composition course; you want video or online instruction; your student needs a more visual workbook; you want a program that also teaches Latin grammar.

Cost honest assessment

At the EPS Learning store as of October 2026, consumer prices are $17.49 for the student book at Levels 4, 5, 6, A, B, and C and $18.49 at Levels D and E. An answer key is $9.99, the Teacher's Guide and Answer Key is $42.49, a test booklet is $9.99, and the blackline test masters are $39.49. Class sets for 25 students are $434.99 to $463.49. The store notes that school and district users can log in for their best price.

A student book and answer key together are $27.48 at Levels 4 through C and $28.48 at Levels D and E. Buying all eight levels with answer keys comes to $221.84 at these prices, before shipping and without teacher's guides or tests.

ESA eligibility notes

Eligibility depends on the state program and its approved-vendor list. This review has not verified EPS Learning listings on any state marketplace. Confirm with the program administrator before ordering, and ask whether a receipt from the EPS Learning store is accepted.

Alternatives

• Wordly Wise 3000, a family would pick Wordly Wise over Vocabulary from Classical Roots for a program the publisher describes as direct academic vocabulary instruction for grades K-12 in print or digital formats, which suits families starting vocabulary instruction before grade 4.
• Memoria Press Roots of English, a family would pick Roots of English for grades 6-8 to study both Latin and Greek roots; the publisher lists it at $23.75 as of October 2026.
• Memoria Press The Book of Roots, a family studying Latin with Memoria Press would pick The Book of Roots (grades 8+) because its Latin roots are coordinated with the Latina Christiana vocabulary and it covers more than 1,500 English derivatives; the student workbook is $27.00 and the teacher key $6.20 as of October 2026.

How we verified this

Our editorial team reviewed the EPS Learning program page and Wordly Wise page, the EPS Learning online store, and the Memoria Press Roots of English and Book of Roots pages in October 2026. Prices and program details verified October 2026.