MCT

Caesar’s English (part of the MCT program)

Recommended Ages

3rd–12th grades+

Caesar’s English, part of Michael Clay Thompson’s language arts program, is a vocabulary and Latin roots course aimed at advanced elementary and middle school students. Written by MCT, it introduces classical stems and high-level words through short essays, examples from literature, and thoughtful exercises that emphasize understanding over memorization. Parents appreciate the elegant writing, intellectual tone, and connections to grammar and writing, which make it feel like a cohesive humanities experience rather than just another workbook. It’s best suited to strong readers and gifted learners who enjoy language play; for those students, Caesar’s English offers long-lasting benefits and excellent value.

Upper-elementary and middle-school students who love language, word origins, and classic literature, and families who enjoy reading aloud, discussing ideas, and are seeking a rich, challenging language-arts spine.

Pros

Classical, roots-based vocabulary program that dives deep into Latin and Greek stems, analogies, and advanced words, woven together with history, poetry, and essays; highly regarded in gifted and secular circles for its rigor and beauty as part of the Michael Clay Thompson language-arts sequence. 

Cons

Can feel intense and abstract for younger or reluctant readers; assumes strong reading skills and benefits from Socratic discussion, so it’s not an “independent workbook”; materials are relatively expensive compared to standard vocabulary workbooks.

Charter and ESA programs vary in their willingness to fund MCT materials. Some do, especially through approved curriculum vendors, while others categorize it as enrichment. If you plan to use public funds, check whether the publisher or distributor appears on your program’s vendor list.

$33-50

Get it
Share
Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest
Caesar’s English (part of the MCT program)
$57.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
View all collections
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Latin
Latin
ELA
ELA

Caesar’s English (part of the MCT program) Mission

The mission of Caesar’s English, part of the Michael Clay Thompson (MCT) language arts program, is to give young students an early, joyful command of Latin stems and sophisticated English vocabulary. By weaving together classic English words, Latin roots, and glimpses of Roman history, it builds a deep understanding of how language works instead of asking students to memorize disconnected lists. Designed especially with advanced and gifted learners in mind, it prepares children for the demanding vocabulary of high school, college, and beyond.

Caesar’s English (part of the MCT program) Story

Caesar’s English was created by language-arts educator Michael Clay Thompson in collaboration with Royal Fireworks Press as the second- and third-level vocabulary strand in his broader MCT curriculum. After thirty years as a classroom teacher, middle-school head, and academic, Thompson wanted a vocabulary program that treated words as part of literature, history, and culture rather than as test-prep trivia. Working with his wife, scholar Myriam Borges Thompson, and publisher Thomas Milton Kemnitz, he crafted books that blend Latin stems, rich example sentences, and short essays on the ancient world. What began as a niche program for gifted students has grown into a widely used, highly respected vocabulary sequence.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Caesar’s English (part of the MCT program)

In a “Caesar day,” you might curl up on the couch with the book and read a short passage on a new stem such as “bene‑.” You and your child repeat several derived words together, talk about where they’ve seen them, and maybe act out a “beneficial” vs “malicious” choice. At the table, they copy a few exemplary sentences in their best handwriting, then try crafting one of their own. The feel is more like a seminar with good tea than a workbook drill.

Caesar’s English is part of Michael Clay Thompson’s language arts sequence and teaches advanced vocabulary through Latin stems, classical word roots, and model sentences. Families generally work through one lesson over several days: introducing the stems, studying example words, reading stylistic models, and completing short writing or analysis tasks. It’s designed to be read aloud and discussed rather than used as a quick worksheet program.

This is a highly teacher-led resource. Parents or caregivers read aloud, pose questions, and guide the conversations about word roots and style. Students can do copywork or sentence-writing independently once expectations are clear, but the richest learning comes from shared discussion.

Best suited to strong readers, often grades 4–8, who already have solid decoding and basic grammar. Some familiarity with the earlier MCT levels helps but is not strictly necessary if your learner is comfortable with challenging vocabulary and enjoys word play.

Caesar’s English is a rigorous, roots‑based vocabulary program that tends to delight language‑loving, verbally gifted students, including many 2e kids. The dense text and classical style can be demanding for dyslexic or ADHD learners, so families often use it orally, spread lessons out, and pair it with audio or color‑coding for accessibility.

Often a hit with verbally gifted or 2e kids who love word origins. The focus on Latin roots can feel intense, so it’s best for learners who enjoy that depth; you can always slow the pace or skip some drill if working memory or handwriting are weak.

As with most print curricula, refunds depend on where you purchase the books. Publishers and curriculum shops may accept returns on unused, unmarked texts within a certain period; digital or teacher guides may be final sale. Please review the retailer’s return and exchange policies before buying.

Not a great fit for kids still working on basic decoding or those who strongly prefer short, simple workbook tasks; families needing a quick, open-and-go independent resource may find the teacher involvement and depth too demanding.

Vocabulary Virtuoso for a more conventional, test-oriented workbook, Wordly Wise for steady incremental practice, and Vocabulary Cartoons for a lighter, more humorous, mnemonic-based supplement.

The MCT line is mature and fairly stable. New printings may tweak layouts or add teacher commentary, but the core Caesar’s English content has remained consistent for many years and continues to be used widely in gifted and classical programs.

Start with Caesar’s English I even for older students, go slowly, and treat it as a seminar—read aloud, discuss, and skip or adapt activities rather than trying to complete every page.

Contact form

Meet Michael and Myriam

Michael Clay Thompson spent three decades teaching language arts, leading a middle school, and working as an academic before becoming a full-time author and consultant for Royal Fireworks Press. He is best known for his classical, literature-rich MCT language arts curriculum, which integrates grammar, vocabulary, writing, poetics, and practice. His wife and co-author, Myriam Borges Thompson, Ph.D., is a native Spanish speaker from San Juan, Puerto Rico, an educator, and a scholar of Latin American literature and history who writes and translates for Royal Fireworks. Together they bring both deep classroom experience and humanistic scholarship to Caesar’s English and the rest of the MCT program.