This year, we decided to add in more branches of language arts into our schooling. One of the things I felt we were lacking was vocabulary. I was thrilled to add in Wordly Wise 3000 (Second Edition), in which we are currently using Book 3. (As of the update of this post there is now a 3rd Edition)
Wordly Wise 3000: An Overview
Wordly Wise 3000 is a vocabulary program for students in grades K-12. It provides direct academic vocabulary instruction to develop the critical link between vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Wordly Wise comes in both print and digital formats.
My Experience with Wordly Wise 3000 Book 3
While I can only speak for Wordly Wise 3000 Book 3, since it’s all we have used, hopefully readers might chime in with any differences in other levels.
In Wordly Wise 3000 (Book 3), the general lesson make up is as follows:
- It starts with either two or three pages of vocabulary words for that lesson. (Each vocabulary word lists the word, part of speech, definition(s), and a sample sentence that uses that word.)
- Five to six exercises that work on identifying the meaning of the vocabulary words and applying them in a variety of manners
We are already sure that we will be continuing to use Wordly Wise 3000 next school year, and I will also introduce their lower levels to my daughter who will be starting kindergarten in the fall.
What I Like About Wordly Wise 3000:
- A variety of exercises – Because Wordly Wise 3000 uses a variety of types of exercises in the workbook to help understand and apply meaning, it can meet the needs of a variety of learners. From simple matching to reading it in passages to crossword puzzles, words are more easily remembered and applied.
- Can be shortened – If we don’t have time to do all of the exercises for a word list, I don’t feel like I have cheated the kids if we do three of the exercises, instead of five, for instance. The kids still seem to get just about as much out of it. We just need that kind of flexibility sometimes.
- Independent work – I have my boys (though they are one grade apart) in the same book, and I let them work together on Wordly Wise 3000. However, I rarely have to assist them. Directions are clear and easy for kids to follow. Also, because many exercises are the same format, they know what to expect when given directions.
- Increased vocabulary – This is probably obvious, but since we are studying new words, they will often try to use some of their new vocabulary in conversation.
- Appropriate Length – I sometimes stress when we can’t finish a whole book in a school year. It may not be right, but if I plan that we can and then we can’t, I practically get hives over it. With 15 lessons (each with 5 – 6 exercises), it is very possible to do this book in one school year.
- Website – Though we haven’t used the Wordly Wise 3000 website, there is one and there are review games for each lesson (and each book) on it! In writing this, I found that they also read aloud the word lists, which is perfect for struggling readers (especially those with learning disabilities).
What I Would Change:
- Nothing – I like to try to highlight something I would change about a book or resource in a review, but I just can’t think of anything at all! If I got very picky, I might say that I would prefer it to be spiral bound to allow for easier opening, but that’s just picky.
I would definitely recommend Wordly Wise 3000 to friends who wanted to infuse vocabulary lessons into their language arts program.
More Language Arts Resources from The Curriculum Choice
- Vocabulary Cartoons – SAT Word Power
- Middle School Spelling and Vocabulary from A Beka
- A review of Soaring with Spelling and Vocabulary
- Wordup! Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots
~ Originally published May 2010, written by Angie. Angie is a university trained elementary and special ed teacher turned eclectic homeschooler.
Angie, a domestically-challenged artist and writer, is a homeschooling mom to three children. She writes about everything that happens in their lives between all the loads of laundry at Many Little Blessings. She is also the founder of The Homeschool Classroom, Catholic Mothers Online, Tiny Owl Designs, and Just a Tiny Owl {Etsy shop}.
The other good thing about the word list being read aloud is that the student does not pronounce the word incorrectly in his/her mind. It’s so difficult to dislodge an incorrect pronunciation!
Do you find that the words are at an appropriate difficulty level? In the reviews I have read, a common note seems to be that too many of the words are easy and that the words are not as advanced as they should be. What ages are your boys who are in book 3?
Deb –
My boys are in 3rd & 4th grade this year (although my 4th grader has some learning difficulties). They didn’t come across a ton of words that they didn’t know, but I found that there were times that a word might have three definitions, but yet my kids only really thought of one of those when thinking of the word. I also didn’t want the program to be too difficult, as we hadn’t done vocabulary before this year. So, it was the right fit for what I wanted for them — a way to look at words and examine them without getting frustrated.
.-= Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last blog ..7 Quick Takes: April 23, 2010 (Vol. 38) =-.
What a timely post! I just received this book from a friend and was looking at it this morning. We have not done any vocab this year and I felt that we need something. Looks like this might fit the bill.
Thanks, Angie! I’ve been debating whether or not to use this next year and I think you’ve made up my mind 🙂
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..European Studies =-.
I’m just wondering if you feel the teacher resource is necessary when using Wordly Wise?
I bought it, but I never used it.
.-= Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last blog ..7 Quick Takes: April 23, 2010 (Vol. 38) =-.
Thank you so much for this post. I have been trying to decide if I want to add a separate vocab program for next year and this is exactly the program that I have been researching. Knowing that you never use the teacher’s guide helps too! I didn’t know if I should purchase it or not.
Samantha
.-= Samantha´s last blog ..Banish Boring Book Reports – Give Art a Try! =-.
I bought the kindergarten one about three weeks ago and started it two weeks ago. You need the teacher textbook for kindergarten for sure. It involves stories and activities that are only available in the teacher manual plus it comes with picture cards to help with the activities. My 2 kindergartners love the program. I also bought the 2nd grade book for my oldest but we aren’t starting it till the fall so I’m glad to hear a good review of the older program.
Norah – That’s good to know about the kindergarten level (especially since I plan on buying it). With the older grades, the teacher manual is just a few pages of paper basically, so I just haven’t used it (though I do have it). Thanks for the heads up on the younger kids!
.-= Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last blog ..7 Quick Takes: April 23, 2010 (Vol. 38) =-.
Glad I could help. The first grade level needs the teacher guide too. It sort of stinks cause they are pricey, the teacher guide, but like I said it comes with 2 sets of cards to use in the lessons. The cards are nice sized and really nice looking. But the workbooks for the kindergarten and 1st grade level can not be used without the teacher guides.
I received the kindergarten student book and the card resource as a gift, however I did not get the book and soon realized that I cannot use it without the book. To buy a new one is impossible for us right now. Would you, by chance, be finished with the teacher’s book and interested in selling it or the entire package at a price less than it would cost new?
We loved Wordly Wise when we were using it. My daughter went through the whole program then went onto the Vocabulary from Classical Roots series. It works very well and I plan on using it with my son.
trying to purchase the K teacher’s packet of Wordly Wise for my daughter who is a missionary. Do you know of any good sites to purchase this item used?? thank yo so much!~