CCSS
The curricular content, activities, and routines in Word Intelligence are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). A focus on academic and content vocabulary helps prepare students for the demands of complex informational text.
Word Intelligence aligns with the following CCSS:
- Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Anchor Standards 4, 5, and 6
- Craft and Structure Standard 4
- Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6–10
- Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Anchor Standard #4
- Unit 1 of Word Intelligence provides a scaffolded orientation to word-learning strategies including use of context clues, morphemic analysis (analyzing word parts), and appropriate use of the dictionary.
- 15 high-utility prefixes, suffixes, and roots are explicitly taught in Unit 1, with an additional 25 affixes taught in later units.
- Students learn and practice two key strategies for unlocking the meaning of unknown words: the Intelli-STARS and Intelli-CLUES strategies.
- Lessons in dictionary use provide students with an explicit technique for figuring out which dictionary definition is the one that applies to a word in a specific context.
|
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Anchor Standard #5
- Students are provided with multiple exposures to each word, so they develop a rich understanding of each word’s use.
- Related words are identified and used in rich contexts. Target words are used in relation to each other so that students understand each word’s nuances.
|
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Anchor Standard #6
- Each edition of Word Intelligence teaches 450 specific words—more than any other vocabulary program!
- 60% of the words are drawn from Dr. Andrew Biemiller’s list of teachable vocabulary for students in the middle grades
- 20% of the words are selected as key academic words in the social studies/history content area
- 20% of the words have highly specialized meanings but are necessary for understanding the passages
|
Craft and Structure Standard #4
- All words are presented within the context of content-area text, and students learn the meaning of the word specific to the text.
- Teaching notes provide extensive information about word connotations and usage.
|
Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6–10
- Each content unit contains includes four historical text passages from U.S. or world history.
- Each passage is under 400 words and contains 10–15 target vocabulary words.
- After the teacher read-aloud, students engage in interactive text activities with a partner, focusing on understanding word meanings, finding central ideas, and understanding the information presented in the text.
- Readings are taken from a wide variety of sources, including primary source material.
- Passages provide an opportunity to learn words in the context of academic text and support knowledge-building in history and social studies content.
|
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
- Because of the large number of new vocabulary words in each passage, text complexity is high.
- Passage difficulty ranges from grade 9 to 11. All passages are introduced by a teacher read-aloud. Students read passages multiple times as various group, partner, and individual activities are completed.
|
Click here for a downloadable chart displaying Word Intelligence alignment with the CCSS.
