Middle School vocabulary instruction focuses on preparing students with strategies to unlock the meaning of words they will encounter in content area texts, literature, and high-stakes-tests. We will use book 5 for one level group in class and 7 for the other level group, depending upon student level. Parents will determine student levels by looking at course word lists. Classes will progress to books 6 and 8 next year.

Student Books

Engaging books are an excellent tool to build vocabulary while strengthening reading, writing, and critical thinking skills - skills research concludes are necessary for success in Middle School and beyond.

Why Study Vocabulary

Growth in students’ vocabulary is essential for them to excel in verbal communication as well as in written expression. Using an extensive vocabulary is much like creating a picture with a paint palette abounding with hundreds of colors. Speakers and writers with large vocabularies have the tools to create innumerable nuances of articulate expression with precision and grace. Expansive vocabularies allow students to surpass others in the Critical Reading portion of the SAT and ACT in addition to the Writing section. Students who have a strong foundation in vocabulary, as well as in etymology find learning foreign languages simpler as well!

Curriculum

Wordly Wise 3000 Series

Objectives

The focus in each course will be:
Skills & Strategies
Reading First Strategies
Vocabulary development
Reading comprehension
Critical thinking
Using a dictionary and pronunciation key
Word usage
Test taking/assessment
Context clues
Synonyms and antonyms
Using word parts to determine meaning:
• prefixes
• suffixes
• Greek and Latin roots
Homophones
Picture clues and captions
Analogies
Word origins