Wordly Wise 3000 Book 2

I use this with a 5th grade ESL student. I love that he can work independently for the most part and I just need to spend time with him decoding and working on pronunciation. I also like that the levels are not totally obvious and that thus far he hasn't noticed he is working in a 2nd grade book. I have tried several other workbooks for vocabulary building but this is by far my favorite.On the worldly wise website you can view samples of the different levels which is very helpful in making an appropriate selection for your student/child. I also like how there is a reading comprehension section as well. This is reminiscent of the old basal reading programs with a strong emphasis on vocabulary.

(1) It was nice to "run into" words taught in previous lessons. They show up again in passages and exercises in later ones.(2) Sentences are mostly statements with simple structures. A bat, an ancient cave boy, Nature, trees, the American Flag and coal talk in first person and present tense. I think this makes them closer and more understandable to the beginner readers.(3) Topics include history, science, nature, animal protection, musical instruments and more. All facts and no fiction. Places are the solar system, Mars, Chicago, New Hampshire, Kenya, Indonesia, Peru, Trinidad. We enjoyed looking for them on the globe and relate to the passages. It's more than a vocabulary workbook.

I love this vocabulary work book. It has many levels. The lay out of each lesson is a great reinforcement for the words learned. There are multiple questions and open-ended questions that really allow students to think for reading comprehension. That’s another thing I like, non-fiction reading that is embedded throughout. We will continue to use this book to the very last level.

Ok, I suppose, but seems a little below my standards for second grade.It is probably good practice for standardized reading tests.The reading topics are interesting for children that age. Mars rovers, trees, rocks, and cave children tell you what they would say if they could somehow communicate with us. Then the student is asked to find or infer the answers to a series of questions on the reading. If you are a home school family or just concerned about the information your children receive and when, you should be prepared to discuss how long ago dinosaurs and other species lived and whether or not there may be life on other planets, along with other issues.It does not (other than the vast periods of time listed) seem to actually push a theory of origin for how "humans appeared," and interestingly, points out that a trillion tons of coal should last a long, long, time. Another interesting quote is placed in the mouth of the cave boy, who wants us to know that living in a cave does not make him "not" much different from apes. He then points out his similarities with us, along with some differences in the way we live.All in all, though I am not a fan of the basic workbook format in general, it does have some utility.I am still of a divided mind about the passages themselves. There are some subjects that may be controversial to some people, but there is enough ambiguity in the way they are covered that people on either side of these debates may find reason for offence, and a thoughtful child and parent can have some good conversations. In a way, this might be considered a high interest, low reading level type book - the topics and conversations that ensue are perhaps more suited to a more mature child than the exercises themselves seem to be.Oddly, the more I think about it, the more I like it, with the caveat that I wouldn't want to use it without putting time into it with my child. When I started this review, it was only at two stars, but I have bumped up to just a little past three, if it were possible to give a half star.

I am so disappointed in this program! I had planned to use a book per year, all the way through book 12. I like the design of the curriculum as it gives the students many different ways to study and use the words. They get a chance to thoroughly by reading them in context, answering comprehension questions, crossword puzzles, etc. The quality and methods of teaching are excellent. Why am I throwing it away on lesson 8 and canceling the plan to use this program through book 12? Because in 2 out of the 1st 8 lessons there has been material that I do not want my child to read. Lesson 6 featured evolution. Lesson 8 features very New Age Nature focus.Lesson 6: Both my husband and I have science backgrounds from major universities (top 20, me geology!) so we are not adverse to science or to teaching our child evolution. However, we will do so on our time table in a way that is compatible with our religious and spiritual beliefs. We have already studied dinosaurs and touched on geology so our child is not growing up ignorant by any means. But I do not want it presented in the secular fashion it was presented and at such a young age and when I was not expecting it (in his independent vocabulary workbook v. science curriculum).Lesson 8: This lesson features a story with the premise, if nature could talk what would she say? I have played that game with my son numerous times, esp. if trees could talk or the rock by the ocean or animals or birds, etc. Great to play and gain perspective and practice understanding science, etc. We are very nature focused in our home and in our school. I even taught a nature study class and this year developed a Nature study art class that someone else is teaching. Lots of nature in our home and education. However, this lesson was very New Age in feel. My son picked up on it and let me know, although he does not know the term New Age. He read the lesson and then laughed and shook his head saying that the authors must not know about the Holy Spirit or about God talking to us in nature. Well, I immediately wondered what in the world the lesson was about and sure enough it had that New Age feel and my son had identified that they were going for more than just a simple imagination game.So, 2 lessons out of 8. My son is too young to have to navigate things that are not a match for our spiritual beliefs on a daily basis or that don't respect our religious beliefs. Now, I am concerned about each story, each exercise, hints for the crosswords puzzles, etc. I no longer have trust and confidence in the curriculum and the publisher. This is a subject my child should be able to do independently so we are now looking for a different program. We had already planned on using Classical Roots. I am gong to try Vocabulary packets and world ladders for vocab. practice.Quality program but not for many children from religious households. I am very disappointed as I did not realize this before buying it. Should have read more of the reviews!

I didn't like some content of this book

Good materials

Pour débutants. M'est apparu simpliste quand on n'est pas nécessairement débutant. Donc mauvais achat pour moi.Pas de corrigé fourniIl est écrit en page vi du livre de la 3ieme édition qu'on peut avoir accès à leur site internet pour des exercices complémentaires (jeux) mais sur le site, ça dit le contraire (pas accessible pour 3ieme édition!!).Par contre, la stratégie éducative reste intéressante: définition de mots suivi de lecture et exercices. La répétition de l'utilisation des mots favorise l'ancrage mnémonique.

I have used the series to teach English (ESL) before but began on book 3. There is a huge jump from book 2 to 3. It almost seems as though there is a level or 2 missing in between 2 and 3. I recommend books 3 and up. Also, the content is quite childish whereas books 3 and up can also be used to teach adults.

good product