A small set of vocabulary development exercises was tried out in four classes in each of grades four, six, and eight. The instruction was derived from three general content areas: subject-area vocabulary, alternative language, and vocabulary from context. The tryout consisted of extensive pretesting, instruction, and posttesting. It was generally found that students in grades four through eight had considerable deficits in vocabulary skills and knowledge and that these deficits could be remedied through instruction of the sort used in the tryout. However, it was shown that additional work is needed to provide instruction that best teaches vocabulary skills and knowledge in a sound but interesting fashion and is appropriate for the grade level for which it is intended. (Author/FL)