The STEMS Word Study Program is a systematic vocabulary program based on the comprehensive research in Michael Clay Thompson's Word Within the Word series. It is designed to help students discern the meaning of complex vocabulary across the curriculum by focusing on the Latin and Greek roots that are embedded in the words. The STEMS approach also fosters the following in vocabulary attainment:

  • Focused "work attack" skills by learning the prefixes, suffixes, and word roots that make up longer, more complex words
  • Focused spelling instruction by focusing on the "word chunks" that make up longer, more complex words
  • A systematic presentation and assessment of the STEMS to foster long-term memory
  • An interdisciplinary look at how words are related across the curriculum
  • A regimented PSAT and SAT preparation over a 4 year time frame

STEMS List

Week One:  ante, anti, bi, circum Week Two:  com, con, de, dis
Week Three: extra, intra, inter, equi Week Four:  intro, mal, mis, non
Week Five:  post, pre, semi, sub Week Six:  super, syn, tri, un
Week Seven: archy, ard, cide, ician Week Eight: itis, aqua, audi, bell.
Week Nine:  cap, cise, bio, auto Week Ten:  port, scribe, logy, dict
Week Eleven:  cred, cent, neo, ad Week Twelve:  cede, miss, centri, biblio, anthropo
Week Thirteen: homo, spect, fer, duct Week Fourteen: pend, micro, hydro, photo
Week Fifteen: pan, penta, tele, vid Week Sixteen:
Week Seventeen: Week Eighteen
Week Nineteen: Week Twenty: