Vocabulary Workshop, Level H by Jerome Shostak

As an English teacher, I really like the whole Sadlier-Oxford series of Vocabulary Workshop books. Not only does it define the words, offer diacritical marks to aid in pronunciation, and indicate the different parts of speech that word may function as, but it also gives students valuable practice in using the word in various contexts: finding synonyms and antonyms, reading contextual clues to determine which word most logically fits in the blank in a sentence, choosing best meaning when it is used in a particular phrase, etc. Each unit introduces twenty words, and the exercises typically take a student 30 minutes to complete. Every three units is a review section. With twelve units in all, you can complete the book in 16 weeks. It works as well for a class as it does for tutoring one-on-one. My only objection is that the answer key costs $100. Ridiculous. Any teacher who is good with words him-/herself can do the exercises and come up with the right answers also. When you come to a question where the answer is not obvious (on some of the review analogies, for example), even though you know the meaning of the words, then you realize what trouble the students also have with that question because it was simply not well-composed in the first place! But there aren't many of those. I have taught for many years and find that students' vocabularies seem to be becoming more and more limited as recreational reading seems to be declining. A direct study of vocabulary, as this series provides, is a very good idea. Book C works well for the average 8th grader. The similar construction of the units makes individualizing the lessons very workable. After students take the diagnostic test, I put those scoring over 75% in a higher book, those scoring under 35% in an easier book. It all works!

I've been using these series since I was in college tutoring elementary - middle school kids. And with each new edition, they get better. Now I use it with my own kids. comparing this series to other popular vocabulary workbooks, I prefer the format, various genres of stories, and repeated practice. It really helps the kids to not just learn the words, but also utilize them in everyday writing.

This is by far the best and most complete vocabulary workbook series I have ever encountered. Trying to get my kids up to speed in the reading comprehension and writing departments has been an ongoing struggle. My only regret is that I did not find this program earlier for my 8th grader, and at all for my 2nd year college student.

What I would recommend parents to do is to work with this book series alongside your kids - don't expect them to do this on their own and be effective. Many kids may not - let me reword that, will not - understand the importance of building a mental lexicon that they have internalized enough to be able to use in various contextual settings. This program takes the students through exercises that aid this internalization dramatically. I read a comment where it said that the likelihood of them using any of the words taught in these books is non-existent. The only reason why that is so is because the commenters did not make the effort themselves to develop the vocabulary in the first place. If you have it, you will use it - and in the appropriate setting and context!

I believe command on vocabulary correlates with success in high school courses (helping bridge the C to B, and B to A gaps), improves SAT/ACT performance, and enhances the quality of college application essays. But most importantly, it improves the freedom and fluency of our kids to express themselves accurately and powerfully, in a way that that they can be heard and taken seriously not only in school, but later on in life. It also improves their self-image, and helps them become better examples for others to follow.

All in all, I can't recommend this enough - I will certainly be continuing with this series for my son through his upcoming high school journey.

These are a must for my middle school students. Some people in education are talking these down and telling me they only drill students but I am hearing my students use these vocs daily and am seeing examples in their writing. My wife used these in the 90s but they have changed and include cool website resources. The only downfall on my edition is that the QR codes don't seem to work.

The book is definitely not new. It should not be classified as a NEW book. Even though there is no marking inside, the corners are wrinkled, folded, and dirty. The front and back covers have many pencil indented marks.

Good product. The listing mentioned no highlighting yet at least 2 pages had highlighting and about 10 pages were already written on.

The book was completely ruined, written throughout on every page with most pages strikes through like in picture. VERY poor quality, buyers beware.

I substitute teach and have to use these books...I really don't think some of the definitions work! I often run across words kids would NEVER use in 'real life' and I figure they have enough words to learn that they might use? I like the pieces which include the words...but the definitions, synonyms, etc., aren't always spot on,...and they could be.