About the Series
The English language has a rich history and is made up of an expansive vocabulary. This series taps into the roots of English vocabulary by investigating word meanings, origins, prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
Dr. Esperanto and his trusty sidekick Unum Pluribus lead students on an investigation of words. Each program has four parts and includes a vocabulary list culled from science, history, geography, Latin, and culture. The goal is to give students greater knowledge and the ability to see everyday relevance of words. These fun, fast-paced programs start with a basic vocabulary list and builds to include a science experiment, and some elements of Jeopardy!®.
This series is available on videotape: Programs 1-4 | Programs 5-8
Program 1
Dr. Esperanto presents the words "ballast", "permeable", and the vowel sound "schwa”. The Latin phrase of the week is "quid pro quo". Dr. Esperanto's science experiments illustrate the vocabulary word "vacuum”.
Program 2
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “rural”, “urban”, abundant”, and the suffix “-ectomy”; the Latin phrase—“pro bono publico”; and in the science segment—a wet-cell battery built using compounds and elements from the Periodic Table of Elements.
Program 3
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “comprehensive”, “translucent”, and “organic”. The Latin phrase of the week is “facta, non verba”. In the science segment, Dr. Esperanto builds and “calibrates” a simple postal scale.
Program 4
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “vernacular,” “digital,” and “optimist;” Latin phrase—“esta perpetua”. The science experiments use “water displacement” to capture argon gas, measure the amount of carbon dioxide, and calculate the age of a stalactite.
Program 5
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “real estate”, “infrastructure”, “versatile”, “carpe diem”, “diagnosis”, “wholesale”, “philanthropist”, “keystone”, and “GOP.” In the laboratory, Dr. Esperanto creates a solar heated hot air balloon.
Program 6
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “protoplasm”, “metabolism”, “bonanza”, “phobia”, “venue”, “profile”, “semper paratus”, “mediocre”, “chassis”, “and “Suez Canal.” Students discover the properties of carbon dioxide in the laboratory.
Program 7
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “generic”, “cerebrum”, “baby boomer”, “metacognition”, “centrifugal force”, “diffusion”, “dovetail”, “aspiration”, and “Delmarva Peninsula.” The Latin phrase of the week is “tempora mutantur”. In the science laboratory, Dr. Esperanto extracts iron from magnetite gravel.
Program 8
Dr. Esperanto presents the words “synthetic”, “euphemism”, “homogeneous”, “heterogeneous”, “Wedgwood”, “utilitarian”, “benzoic acid”, “hacksaw”, “Bay of Fundy”, “and “summa cum laude”. In the science segment, Dr. Esperanto shows how to record a sound wave.