Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students – Research–Based Lists and Strategies for Key Content Areas

Vocabulary knowledge plays a huge role in the academic success of middle school students. But which words do students need to know to master the content in their textbooks, and how can they be learned? This book has the practical answers educators need. Middle school teachers will get five extensive, research-based lists of academic vocabulary words most frequently used in student textbooks—the words kids need to know to increase their comprehension and succeed in school. Teachers will also get critical background information on the importance of academic vocabulary, guidance on testing word knowledge, and proven teaching strategies for weaving vocabulary instruction into their everyday lessons. A great resource for in-service professional development and preservice teacher preparation courses!

• Strengthen academic vocabulary knowledge in five key school subjects
• Master the content they need to know under the Common Core State Standards
• Understand why the words they encounter in textbooks are important
• Improve comprehension and eliminate roadblocks to understanding what they read
• Increase school success (for all students, including English language learners and those with disabilities)

PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Five research-based lists of hundreds of academic vocabulary words, each one devoted to a key content area. Plus helpful discussion questions and 15 detailed vocabulary instruction activities, including "fix-ups" for struggling readers and English language learners and extensions that build on the activities.

Jennifer Greene is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Jennifer's research interests include specialized vocabulary in elementary and middle school education, as well as supporting grade-level teachers who want to incorporate word learning in their content-area classrooms. Jennifer is a literacy-teacher educator currently working with pre-service teachers preparing for teaching certification.

Averil Jean Coxhead, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer in applied linguistics in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Averil's research interests include specialised vocabulary in secondary and university-level education, the development and measurement of vocabulary size, the vocabulary load of written texts, and vocabulary in the trades. Averil teaches undergraduate and postgraduate applied linguistics and supervises Ph.D. research in vocabulary studies, English for Academic Purposes, and applied corpus linguistics.