Vocabulary is key to academic success and a proven indicator of progress in a wide array of subjects. We know that a firm grasp of subject terminology lays a clear foundation for progression into graduation, college and career success; quite simply, the highest-achieving students have the widest vocabulary.

The Vocabulary Expander: Common Core Standards Reading for Literature and Language Grades 6 – 8 is focused on the core standards for Reading for Literature and Language. It is divided into the three key areas:

• Reading for Literature
• Language
• Language Progressive Skills

Reading for Literature and Language are organized by sections on the separate core standards, whilst Language Progressive Skills addresses universal skills across the grades and focuses on how to ‘recognize and correct’ errors. All core standards for Literature and Language are covered through a wide range of practical and engaging activities, tasks and games, all with answers. These tasks offer a wealth of valuable practice and are designed to develop the essential literacy skills of close and attentive reading, deduction and precise analysis.

Tasks are supplemented by detailed definitions, explanations, and clear guidance for students across all 6 – 8 grades and across ability levels. For Literature, you will find a wealth of challenging extracts from novels, poems and plays from 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

There is a special focus on Shakespeare in Reading for Literature 10: Range of Reading which has been designed as an engaging and accessible introduction to Shakespeare’s language, to support studies in Grade 9 and beyond.

For ease, the book follows the order of the core standards and sections are clearly marked according to the numbering of the standards. This fosters an understanding of the core standards and allows students to target areas where they need further support. Each section provides multiple opportunities to practice skills in a precise and systematic way and to tackle core standards across Grades 6, 7 and 8.

In addition, The Vocabulary Expander: Common Core Standards Reading for Literature and Language Grades 6 – 8 develops wider academic vocabulary to support all areas of the curriculum. The highly interactive tasks are also devised to develop universal skills of evidence-based reasoning, analysis, critical thinking and problem-solving. Grades 6 – 8 are valuable years to develop an understanding of these concepts and to understand how vocabulary creates effects and can be utilized for effective and accurate communication. This invaluable resource positions vocabulary not as a mere tool of identification, but as central to understanding and engagement.