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FACT: Students need to learn more vocabulary words!

“Vocabulary is a deceptively simple literacy skill that researchers and educators agree is critical to students’ academic success, but which has proved frustratingly difficult to address,” said Sarah D. Sparks in her insightful Education Week article “Students Must Learn More Words, Say Studies.”

More studies are confirming what we already know–how important vocabulary is in and of itself  and in respect to literacy.  While its significance has remained consistent, unfortunately direct vocabulary instruction has become less of a priority inside the classroom. However, the consensus among researchers and educators alike has been that students must close such vocabulary gaps to succeed academically, take on Common Core State Standards, deal with rigorous scholastic content and, of course, succeed on college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT.

We encourage you to read Ms. Sparks’ entire article for an interesting read about the irrefutable significance of vocabulary. Educators, we know you have a lot on your plates, but try your best to incorporate vocabulary instruction into your lessons (think about giving Vocab Videos a try!). Students, make learning vocabulary on your own a priority with the knowledge that it will help you succeed in school and on tests that really count for your future.

These category lists group words by common themes. It provides students with a valuable reference and allows for an even more comprehensive understanding of the SAT vocabulary. These definition groups are useful for helping students grasp subtle differences in meanings and when to use particular words.

Take a look at our definition groups and the words that are included in each below (along with some fun”food for thought” images that correspond with each category). To watch the videos for all of these words, learn their definitions, and check out our study tools be sure to register for Vocab Videos!

Bad Blood

ABHOR

ACRIMONY

ANIMOSITY

ANTAGONISTIC

CONTEMPT

DISDAIN

ENMITY

RANCOR

SCORN

BFF

AFFABLE

AMIABLE

AMICABLE

CAMARADERIE

CORDIAL

GENIAL

Chill

COMPOSED

EQUANIMITY

PLACID

SERENE

TRANQUIL

Cocky

BOMBASTIC

CONDESCEND

ELITIST

GRANDIOSE

HAUGHTY

PATRONIZE

POMPOUS

PRETENTIOUS

Cry Baby

DESPAIR

DESPONDENT

DOUR

LAMENT

MELANCHOLY

MOROSE

Eagle Eye

ACUITY

ASTUTE

DISCERN

INCISIVE

KEEN

PERSPICACITY

Feel Better

ALLEVIATE

APPEASE

MITIGATE

MOLLIFY

TEMPER

Fight Club

BELLIGERENT

CANTANKEROUS

CONTEND

IRATE

PUGNACIOUS

Flashy

FLAMBOYANT

FLORID

GARISH

ORNATE

Gone With the Wind

ELUSIVE

EPHEMERAL

EVANESCENT

EVASIVE

TRANSIENT

TRANSITORY

Happy Camper

BUOYANT

ECSTASY

ELATED

EUPHORIA

FELICITY

MIRTH

Hip Hip Hooray!

ACCLAIM

ADULATION

COMMEND

EXALT

EXTOL

LAUD

Killer

BANE

DELETERIOUS

PERNICIOUS

Like-Minded

ACCORD

CONCORD

CONCUR

CONFORM

CONSENSUS

UNIFORM

Noise Pollution

BOISTEROUS

CACOPHONY

OBSTREPEROUS

TUMULTUOUS

Overboard

EXORBITANT

EXTRAVAGANT

LAVISH

LUXURIOUS

OPULENT

Party Hearty!

EBULLIENT

EXUBERANT

VIVACIOUS

Pig-Headed

DOGGED

DOGMATIC

INTRANSIGENT

OBDURATE

TENACITY

Played Out

BANAL

HACKNEYED

INSIPID

MUNDANE

PROSAIC

TRITE

Road Block

HAMPER

HINDER

IMPEDE

INHIBIT

THWART

Serious Business

EARNEST

SOLEMN

SOMBER

Shady

CUNNING

DUPLICITY

GUILE

TREACHERY

Thumbs Down

ADMONISH

BERATE

CENSURE

REBUKE

REPROACH

SCATHING

Trash Talk

BELITTLE

DECRY

DENIGRATE

DENOUNCE

DEPRECATE

DERIDE

DISPARAGE

VILIFY

Wise Guy

CIRCUMSPECT

DISCREET

JUDICIOUS

PRUDENT

SAGACIOUS

SHREWD

X-treme Intensity!

ARDOR

FERVENT

GALVANIZE

IMPASSIONED

ZEALOUS

We’re always working on upgrades to help improve our users’ experience, and we’ve recently completed some BIG updates to two of our study tools:

Flashcards

All users now have access to Vocab Videos flashcard sets for every episode! These flashcards can be accessed from the student/educator Flashcards page, and from the video player pages for each episode; so when you’re finished watching the episodes, you now have another form of review. Just click the new Flashcards icon!

Glossary

Our glossary is now officially compatible with your mobile devices–including Apple’s iPads and iPhones! Use our searchable glossary to review the words featured in the Vocab Videos episodes; and click video links to re-watch any videos you need to review on your computers or on-the-go!

Remember: you can use the Vocab Videos flash card maker to create digital flashcards for ANY ACADEMIC SUBJECT! So we would encourage you to make use of this new functionality by creating flash card sets for any of your upcoming tests or quizzes. Create flash cards for an upcoming biology quiz or history exam; create an ongoing set for unfamiliar words and terms you come across in reading assignments. We hope that you’re also  creating worksheets for your words, using them in sentences and taking notes that will help you remember their definitions; you can convert your completed worksheets into flash card sets with the click of a button!

Reviewing these words on a regular basis will help you to better remember their meanings, so be sure to take advantage of our multimedia flash card maker and our mobile-friendly quiz feature!

To access our digital flash card maker:

• Sign into your Vocab Videos account
• If you’re a student, select “My Flashcards” from your Locker homepage; if you’re on an educator account, select the blue ”My Flashcards” tab
• Review your flash cards from your mobile devices or tablets, by selecting the “Take Quiz Mobile” icon (this will display flash cards in a mobile-friendly quiz mode)
• Simply tap the screen to flip between the front and back of your flash cards.
  • Know it and ready to move on? Click “Got It!”
  • Want to shuffle the cards? Click “Mix ‘em up”
  • Finished reviewing the set? Click “I’m Done”

Front of card (iPhone screen):

Back of card (iPhone screen):

Check out what we have to offer:

Student Materials 

SHOP NOW

• ACT Prep Package (includes 2 texts)-$39.95. The ACT bundle contains:
  • Book of Knowledge: comprehensive chapters for the English, Math, Reading and Science Tests, with in-depth discussion and entertaining commentary offering tips for every score level; includes example problems with detailed explanations, drills, and exercises to hone your skills
  • Solutions Manual: detailed answers and explanations for every question in The ACT Book of Knowledge
• SAT Prep Package (includes 3 texts)-$49.95. The SAT bundle contains:
  • Book of Knowledge: comprehensive Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Sections, with in-depth discussion and entertaining commentary offering tips for every score level; includes exampleproblems with detailed explanations, drills, and exercises to hone your skills
  • Solutions Manual: detailed answers and explanations for every question in The SAT Book of Knowledge
  • Vocabulary Workbook: contains the 500 most common SAT words ordered by frequency of appearance along with definitions, synonyms, pronunciation guides, and example sentences
• Companion to the Official SAT Study Guide (1 text)-$65.95. The comprehensive Companion to the Official SAT Study Guide contains:
  • Detailed solutions and explanations to EVERY question in the College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide, written by experts in SAT preparation
  • Thorough examination of all answer choices, spelling out why wrong choices are wrong and why you might be tempted by them.
  • Explanations that demonstrate how to apply the techniques from The A-List Book of Knowledge on real test problems.
• Vocab Videos Workbook-$11.99. This companion guide to VocabVideos.com includes:
  • 500 high-frequency vocabulary words you need to know for the SAT
  • Definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences
  • Synonyms and categories to form connections between words
  • Roots, etymologies, and other memory aids

Instructor Materials

SHOP NOW

• Companion to the Official SAT Study Guide (1 text)-$65.95. The comprehensive Companion to the Official SAT Study Guide contains:
  • Detailed solutions and explanations to EVERY question in the College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide, written by experts in SAT preparation
  • Thorough examination of all answer choices, spelling out why wrong choices are wrong and why you might be tempted by them.
  • Explanations that demonstrate how to apply the techniques from The A-List Book of Knowledge on real test problems.
• The Book of Knowledge ACT Teacher Manual (1 text)-$49.95.  A-List’s comprehensive ACT Teacher/Tutor Prep Manual includes:
  • Complete text of the student ACT Book of Knowledge along with detailed answers and explanations for every question
  • A thorough examination of all answer choices spelling out why wrong choices are wrong and why students might be tempted by them
• The Book of Knowledge SAT Teacher Manual (1 text)-$49.95.  A-List’s comprehensive SAT Teacher/Tutor Prep Manual includes:
  • Complete text of the student ACT Book of Knowledge along with detailed answers and explanations for every question
  • A thorough examination of all answer choices spelling out why wrong choices are wrong and why students might be tempted by them
• ACT Book of Knowledge FOR STUDENTS (intended for purchase by educators- does not include student solutions manual)-$19.95. The student ACT BoK includes:
  • Comprehensive chapters for the English, Math, Reading and Science Tests, with in-depth discussion and entertaining commentary offering tips for every score level
  • Example problems with detailed explanations, drills, and exercises to hone your skills
• SAT Book of Knowledge FOR STUDENTS (intended for purchase by educators- does not include student solutions manual)-$19.95. The student SAT BoK includes:
  • Comprehensive Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Sections, with in-depth discussion and entertaining commentary offering tips for every score level
  • Example problems with detailed explanations, drills, and exercises to hone your skills

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

“Vocabulary is key,” Scott Farber tells NBC’s Chuck Scarborough during his interview discussing the SAT. Citing Vocab Videos as a fun and effective way for students to learn essential test prep and high school vocabulary, Scott discusses why he came up with the concept of our site. Check out the clip below!

Upon logging in to your student or educator account or signing up for a free trial, you’ll be able to see these changes firsthand, but take a sneak peek at some of the updates below:

Video Library:

• Our new format clearly lists out all Vocab Videos episodes in series order
• ALL VIDEOS ARE IN HTML5—now play them on mobile devices and tablets!

The new search functionality allows users to search for individual words; so don’t worry if you remember a word you want to review, but forget what episode it’s featured in!

New Video Player:

• Larger screen + sharper, better quality videos Full screen mode is now available!
• Conveniently move on to the next episode with the new “Play Next Episode” button
• Watch episodes straight through or easily move from one word to the next by selecting specific words from our episode playlist
• Quick links to each episode’s digital quiz and worksheet make it easy to use study tools you’re watching videos

Students:

• Your new home dashboard allows you to easily click through to any Vocab Videos series, and select the episode you want to watch simply by clicking on the screen
• Quick links to “My Quizzes,” “My Worksheets,” and “My Flashcards” allow you to click through to view past quiz results, completed worksheets, and flashcard sets or to take an episode quiz, complete a worksheet or make a new flashcard set.
• Your home screen also allows you to browse your recent activity, reviewing past quiz scores or completed worksheets.

Teachers:

• New teacher dashboard makes it easier to manage your class
• It’s easier as ever to add students to your class—simply copy and paste your student roster from a word processor
• View class or individual student quiz or worksheet results
• Reset student passwords as necessary from the Manage Students page