CCSS ELA Tier 2 Vocabulary Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Tier 2 Academic Vocabulary Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 | CCSS ELA Tier 2 Vocabulary

CCSS ELA: Tier 2 & Tier 3 Academic Vocabulary
Tier 1 Academic Vocabulary: Basic words that commonly appear in spoken language. Because they are heard frequently in numerous contexts and with nonverbal communication, Tier 1 words rarely require explicit instruction.Examples of Tier 1 words are clock, baby, happy and walk.

Tier 2 Academic Vocabulary: Less high frequency words used by mature language users across several academic content areas. Because of their lack of redundancy in oral language and their multiple meaning or descriptive nature, Tier 2 words present challenges to students who primarily meet them in print and on test. Examples of Tier 2 words are obvious, complex, establish and verify.

Tier 3 Academic Vocabulary: Low Frequency words that are not frequently used except in specific academic content areas or domains. Tier 3 words are central to building backgrounds knowledge and conceptual understanding within the various academic domains and should be integral to instruction of content. Medical, legal, biology and mathematics terms are all examples of these words.

The new CCSS ELA for reading and English language arts are three standard deviations above many States passing cut scores (NCLB testing mandate). A (CCSS) white paper to publishers and curriculum developers states a greater focus on Tier 2 high frequency academic vocabulary is needed in the primary grades. Teachers will have a few years to learn and prepare before the new standards are in effect and part of high stakes testing. Preparing students is the proverbial fly in the ointment, meeting the challenge will be virtually impossible to reach in the time allotted. What next? Endless teacher in-service training?

I have used variations of Tier 2 high frequency academic vocabulary plus the NWEA tier 3 academic content specific vocabulary for years, but I have never found a qualitative graded tier 2 list! You will find great tier 3 vocabulary list by frequency, grade level, and content but not tier 2 vocabulary by grade level.

CCSS ELA
DOK Level 3 Question STEMS Samples

Fiction DOK STEM | What key details or examples (e.g. dialogue or feelings) in the text can you draw on too explain the antagonists reactions?

Fiction DOK STEM | What evidence do you cite when determining the main idea?  Explain why you think that is the main idea!

Non Fiction DOK STEM | What text features (e.g. charts or illustrations) can you use to appraise facts for validity? Are charts an illustrations always based on facts?

Non Fiction DOK STEM | Did you asses the authors use of literary elements or literary techniques when drawing conclusions
/inferences from the text? How does the author use literary elements or literary techniques to develop key ideas?


WEBB'S DOK Verbs | Tier 2 Vocabulary 

Level 4	Level 3	Level 2	Level 1
Appraise Connect Create Critique Design Judge Justify Prove Report Design Synthesize Analyze	Appraise Assess Check Cite Evidence Compare Compile Conclude Construct Contrast Critique Decide Defend Describe Develop Develop a Logical Argument Differentiate Distinguish Draw Conclusions Explain Phenomena in Terms of Concepts Formulate Hypothesize Investigate Predict Relate Revise Separate Show Synthesize Use Concepts to Solve Non-Routine Problems	Apply Calculate Categorize Cause/Effect Classify Classify Collect and Display Compare Compute Construct Convert Describe Determine Distinguish Estimate Explain Extend Extrapolate Find Formulate Generalize Graph Identify patterns Infer Interpolate Interpret Make Observations Modify Observe Organize Predict Relate Represent Separate Show Simplify Solve Sort Use	Arrange Calculate Cite Define Describe Draw Draw Identify Explain Give examples Identify Illustrate Label List Locate Match Measure Memorize Name Perform Quote Recall Recite Recognize Record Repeat Report Select State Summarize Tabulate Tell Use Who, What, When, Where, Why
Level 4	Level 3	Level 2	Level 1

Tier 1 Basic words that commonly appear in spoken language. Because they are heard frequently in numerous contexts and with nonverbal communication, Tier 1 words rarely require explicit instruction.Examples of Tier 1 words are clock, baby, happy and walk.

Tier 2 High frequency words used by mature language users across several content areas. Because of their lack of redundancy in oral language, Tier 2 words present challenges to students who primarily meet them in print and on test. Examples of Tier 2 words are obvious, complex, establish and verify.

Tier 3 Words that are not frequently used except in specific content areas or domains. Tier 3 words are central to building knowledge and conceptual understanding within the various academic domains and should be integral to instruction of content. Medical, legal, biology and mathematics terms are all examples of these words.


TIER 2 High Frequency Academic Vocabulary Words

accelerate, achieve, adjacent, alternative, analyze, approach, approximate, arbitrary,assert, assess, assign, assume, authorize, automatic, chapter, compensate, complex,complicate, comply, component, comprehend, conceive, concentrate, concept,
conclude, consequence, consist, constant, construct, consult, context, contrast,contribute, convert, create, criterion, crucial, data, define, definite

demonstrate, denote, derive, design, devise, devote, dimension, distinct, distort,element, emphasize, empirical, ensure, entity, environment, equate, equivalent,establish, evaluate,evident, expand, expose, external, feasible, fluctuate, focus,formulate, function, generate, guarantee, hypothesis, identify, ignore, illustrate,
impact, implicit, imply, indicate, individual, inhibit

initial, innovation, intense, interpret, intuitive, involve, isolate, magnetic, magnitude,major, manipulate, mathematics, method, minimum, modify, negative, notion, obtain,obvious, occur, passive, period, perspective, pertinent, phase, phenomena, portion,
portion, potential, precede, precise, presume, prime, principle, proceed, publish,pursue, random, range, react

region, require, respective, restrict, reverse, role, section, segment, select, sequence,series, shift, signify, similar, simultaneous, sophisticated, species, specify, stable,statistic, status, structure, subsequent, suffice, sum, summary, technique, technology,
tense, theory, trace, tradition, transmit, ultimate, undergo, usage, valid, vary, verbal,verify, vertical

High Incidence Academic Vocabulary

Kid-Friendly Glossary & Examples

(Tier 2) Level One

analyze

To study something carefully in order to understand it or learn more about it.

"Elise needed to analyze the test question  -  What exactly was the question asking for?"

approach

To move closer to someone or something.

"Mr. Kyes will approach Mr. Taylor to ask if Damian is at grade level."

area

The measurement of the surface inside the boundaries of something (square units) .

"Mrs. Garcia's kitchen wall was eight feet high and ten feet wide;  to paint this wall she needed a can of paint to cover an area of eighty square feet.

assess

To judge or figure out the value of something, both good and bad values.

"The coach had to assess his players to decide which one would play first base."

assume

To suppose that something is true without checking first. "Ellie assumed that she would get a high score on her math test without studying, but her score was low...

authority

The right or power to make rules and see that the rules are followed. "Mr. Taylor has authority in his class;  the Fire Department has authority at a fire scene."

available

Able to be used or gotten. "The last Harry Potter movie should be really exciting, but it's not available yet."

benefit

Something that helps good to happen.

"Suzette was great at playing soccer;  a real benefit to her team!"

concept

An idea or thought. " 'Is that your concept of fair play?' shouted the coach when Elton intentionally tripped the runner." consist

To be made up of something. "Her favorite chocolate fudge consists of sugar, corn syrup, cocoa, butter, milk, and chopped walnuts."

constitute

To be something or a part of something.

" 'Helping me to get up does not constitute an apology!' said Elsbet angrily, after Harry had knocked her down."

context

The words and phrases that surround a word or sentence, and help to understand the meaning of the word or sentence. "I said that I don't trust dishonest people, not that I don't trust all people;  you've taken the words out of context!"

contract

A document of formal or legal agreement.

"Mr. and Mrs. Young signed a contract with the apartment owner. The Young’s agreed to pay rent each month for a year, and the owner agreed that they could live in the apartment for a year."

create

To make something. "In art class Ms. Miller explained how to create a cereal bowl from wet, grey clay."

data

Information, often in the form of facts or numbers. "Mr. Taylor wrote down the class test scores in his notebook, and then entered that data in his computer."

define

To describe something exactly. "That row of barbed-wire fence defines the edge of Grandpa's field."

derive

To get something from a source. "The word  'home'  derives from an Old English word which meant a place to lie down and rest."

distribute

To give something out to a number of people. "Mr. Taylor will distribute  'Kid-Friendly Glossary & Examples' sheets to his class."

economy

Getting something done in the most effective way, with the best results for the amount of effort, money, and material used.

"Harry was the best jumper on our track team;  he smoothly cleared the top rail of the high jump with great economy of motion."

environment

All that surrounds something. "The aquarium tank contains the environment of Patrick's angel fish;  the forest  is the environment of the crested woodpecker."

Establish To start or set up something that is meant to last a long time. "The University of Michigan was established in 1834."

estimate

A rough calculation, an educated guess.

"Nine years old is my estimate of Theo's age."

evident

Obvious or easy to understand. "He couldn't answer any of his partner's questions.  It was evident that Jake hadn't read his assignment."

export

To send goods for sale to another country.

"Mr. Stevens needed to update his export license before he could sell his wheat to Portugal."

factor

Something that is part of what makes another thing happen. "Eating a balanced diet and exercising are factors in staying healthy." Also, "Not paying attention in class and not doing homework are factors in failing a test."

finance

To raise or provide money for something or someone. "I'd like to buy that new truck, but I don't think I can finance that much money right now."

formula

A rule that is written in symbols and numbers. "The formula for the area of a rectangle is  A  =  b * h "  (area = base * height)."

function

The purpose for which something is designed or used. "The function of the school bus is to carry students to and from school."

identify

To recognize and name something or somebody. "Hector identified the jacket that he had lost; it was in the school's  'Lost and Found'  box."

income

Money received over a period of time for work done or goods sold. "Todd worked part-time that summer and earned an income of $300. "

indicate

To show or point out something. "Jasmine said that she liked her aunt's cake, but her sour face indicated that she really didn't like it." Also, "The thermometer indicates that it's a very hot day."

interpret

To find or explain the meaning of something.  Also, to translate the meaning of words from one language into another language.

"The poem wrote about flowers and winds, but at the poetry reading the poem was interpreted to be about sadness and loneliness. " Also, "Wendy sat close to the new kindergartener to interpret for her."

 involve

To include something as necessary.

"Making a cake involves measuring, mixing, baking, and decorating."

issue

The main idea to be talked about, or a particular publication (magazine, stamp, stocks or bonds). " 'That's not the issue,' said Ricardo. 'We were going to plan a surprise party, not talk about the weather!'  "

Also, "Do you have the December 2010  issue of 'National Geographic'? "

labor

Physical work, especially using strength; or the group of all workers of a country or industry. "The labor union at the Chevrolet plant was telling the automobile workers not  to go to work in the morning." Also,

"Making the beautiful flower arrangement for her mother was a labor of love."

legal

Allowed by law, or related to law and courts of law. "Speeding on the city streets is not legal."

legislate

To write and pass laws. "The candidate promised to legislate to make more jobs available."

major

Of great importance, size, or seriousness;  also, a military title. "Major Samuelson announced that the weather satellite showed a major storm coming into southern Arizona."

method

A way of doing something; orderliness.

"The lattice method is one way to multiply;  long division is one method of dividing."

occur

To happen, or to come into one's mind.

"What time will that occur?  It just occurred to me that we are late!"

percent

Used to express a proportion in hundredths, sometimes with the ' %' sign. "Elizabeth knew that  'percent'  meant  'per  hundred'.  That's why  '70%'  is the same as  '70 hundredths'  or   '.70 ' or   '70/100' . "

period

A punctuation mark(.) used at the end of a sentence or in abbreviations;  also a division of playing time in some sports. "It didn't look good.  The U of A Wildcats hadn't scored at all by the end of the first period."

policy

A way of acting that is used by a person, or group or government. "It was Grandfather's policy to never charge anything on credit.  He would not buy at all if he couldn't pay cash."

principle

The basic way something works;  also, the model of quality or right-and-wrong that people follow in life. "I try to always tell the truth, as a matter of principle."

proceed

To go on to do something.

"After the guard checked Mrs. Slone's identification, he told her to proceed into the building."

process

A number of actions done to make a special thing happen. Registering to vote is a careful process:  First, you must show that you are a citizen and are at least 18 years old.  Then you must show that you live in this county. 

require

To need something or somebody.

"Mary's dog requires a rabies vaccination before it can get a dog license."

research

To look for facts in a careful, organized way for the purpose of learning about something, or telling whether what you already know is true or not. "Elliot began his research with the 1938 passenger lists of a steamship.  He wanted to find out how his grandfather first came to America."

respond

To give an answer. "The dog will always respond to a knock on the door by loud barking!"

role

An acting part in a movie, play, or other performance;  also, an expected way that someone or something. "At the neighborhood potluck, Martha's role was to set out the cold food while Paul fired up the grill and Kathryn filled the cooler with Pepsi and 7-Up."

  

section

A distinct part of the whole of something.

"Luz separated the tangerine into 12 sections."

sector

A pie-shaped part of a circle; also, a part of an area where military forces are in control.

"The General's plan called for Sector B to move out at dawn."

significant

Meaningful, or having an important effect.

"Jessie's home run was significant in helping her team to win the game."

similar

Like something else, but not totally the same. "The two trucks were similar:  both were 2005 pickups, but one was black and one was red."

source

The person, place, or thing where something started or was found. "Grandmother looked for the source of the leak that was making a puddle on the kitchen floor." Also,

"What is the source of the information in your science report?"

specific

Description that is exact and detailed enough to identify a particular person, place, or thing. "The doctor gave specific instructions to Heather's nurse."

structure

Something built; or the way parts go together and work together. "That old iron bridge is an interesting structure;  look how all the pieces fit together!"

theory

An idea or set of ideas about how and why things work together.   "Sylvia had a theory about how to increase her vocabulary."

vary

To change something.

"Max would vary his lunch.  Sometimes he had a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich;  sometimes he had pizza."

 More High-incidence Tier 2 Academic Word List

initial

Of, relating to, or occurring at the beginning; first; the first letter of a word or name. President George Washington's initials were GW, and he was the initial president of the U.S.A.

instance

An example that makes a point.

The Harry Potter books, for instance, have proven to be popular with both children and adults.

interact

To act upon each other.

When a soccer ball and your foot interact, the ball can go quite a distance.

You are supposed to interact with your partner when you are reading "cop cars" style.

justify

To provide an acceptable explanation for something.

It is hard to justify not completing an assignment when Mr. Taylor has given you two hours in class to work on it.

layer

A single thickness of the same material or covering.

Sydney brought a chocolate layer cake to class for her birthday.

link

1) A connection between places, persons, events or things; to join together.

1) Example: When writing your Read and Response paragraph, you must link the details to the topic sentence.

2) One piece of a chain or other group of connected items.

2) Example: Each link in the anchor chain of a large ship weighs many pounds.

2) Example: Do you like link sausage?

locate

To place; to set in a chosen spot or position; to place yourself; to settle; to take up your home.

Many people locate in Tucson because they like the warm winters.

maximize

To make as large as possible.

If you want to maximize your enjoyment of Mr. Taylor's class, you must follow instructions.

minor

Of little importance.

The punctuation errors in Michael's paragraph were minor.

negate

To deny the existence, evidence or truth of; to take the opposite position; to cause negative results.

One good Read and Response will not negate ten bad ones.

outcome

How something turns out; the result of a plan, process, accident or effort.

If you do a good job of completing all your assignments in Mr. Taylor's class, you will have a good outcome.

partner

Someone who works or plays with another person.

Alyia was my cop cars reading partner.

philosophy

A view or outlook on some subject.

One philosophy of life says that if you work hard and do your best, you will be successful.

physical

Having to do with the body or material world.

Science studies the physical world.

proportion

A quantity of something that is part of the whole amount or number.

One way to make certain a piece of cake will be cut into two pieces of equal proportion is to have one person cut the cake, and the other person choose the first slice.

publish

To issue a printed work for sale and distribution; to enter information on an internet site.

Mr. Taylor has been able to publish a book on Reading Boot Camp, and he also publishes information about reading on his website.

react

To respond in some way to a force, idea, surprise, etc.

It is hard not to react to some of the action in a 3D movie.

register

To sign up for something like school or soccer; to have an idea "sink in" to your brain.

About 100 children register for kindergarten at Rio Vista every year.

rely

To trust; to depend upon.

If you want to be successful you must learn to rely on yourself to get your work done.

remove

To take something away.

It is very hard to remove permanent marker designs from your hands.

scheme

A plan for future action; to plan something sneaky.

The students had a secret scheme to surprise the teacher on her birthday.

sequence

The order of events or things.

Every game has a sequence that must be followed.

sex

Either of two main classes (male or female) of an organism.

What sex is that hamster?

shift

To change; to move from one place to another; to change position.

Mr. Taylor had to shift the tables around for the new class.

specify

To state clearly or in detail.

Mr. Taylor will specify the information that has to be included in your science report.

sufficient

Enough; able to meet

We'll die in the desert if we do not drink sufficient water.

task

A piece of assigned work; an assignment; an objective; a job

One task I had as a child was washing dishes.

technical

Having to do with science or machines; the specific words used in science, math, engineering, business, etc.

Flint Technical High School had technical courses, including math, science, drafting and machine shop.

technique

A special skill or set of skills needed to be good at something: painting; sports; surgery; writing, etc.

Famous painters each have some technique that makes their artwork special.

technology

The tools and science produced by a given society.

There is technology in your classroom that didn't exist just a few years ago.

valid

Correct; proper; true

It is against the law to drive a car unless you have a valid driver's license.

volume

The amount of something (homework); the loudness of sound; amount of space, measured in cubic centimeters, cubic, inches, cubic feet, or pints, quarts, gallons, liters. etc.

Mr. Taylor turns up the volume on the music he plays during our brain breaks.