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CCSS Toolkit: Content Area Literacy - Shift 3

CCSS Toolkit - Content Area Teachers: Awareness & Transition
Introduction to the CCSS
Shift 1: Informational Text
Shift 2: Text Complexity
Shift 3: Academic Vocabulary
Shift 4: Text-based Answers
Shift 5: Writing from Sources
Shift 6: Content-area Literacy
Implementation
Evaluate & Refine
Resources
Content Literacy Toolkit
Toolkit Home

Shift 3: Academic Vocabulary

Students constantly build the vocabulary they need to be able to access grade-level complex texts. By focusing strategically on comprehension of pivotal and commonly found words (such as “discourse,” “generation,” “theory,” and “principled”) teachers constantly build students’ ability to access more complex texts across the content areas (Appendix A, pp.33-36).

Awareness & Understanding

Learn About Academic Vocabulary

View Video

Academic Vocabulary

Tools

Read about Academic Vocabulary in Appendix A 12/29/2011 (218.72 KB)
Activity: Choose a sample of grade-level text for a particular content area and identify Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 words.

Explore the CCSS for Literacy

Take a look at the CCSS for Literacy in your subject area.

Become familiar with the Speaking and Listening Standards

CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards Grades 6-12

07/25/2012 (352.13 KB)

Transition

Learn About Academic Vocabulary in the Classroom

Tools

View 6-12 Content Teacher PowerPoint Session 4: Academic Vocabulary
This is the fourth of six sessions in Module 1: Common Core Instruction for ELA & Literacy. Module 1 explains the unique Common Core emphasis—teaching students literacy skills in English Language Arts (ELA) and to apply them in every other subject.
Review CCSS Snapshot on Academic Vocabulary 06/21/2012 (158.67 KB)
From "K-12 Teachers: Building Comprehension in the Common Core"

Read about teaching vocabulary

From "Oregon K-12 Literacy Framework: Instruction" (pp. 20-21)

Read about academic vocabulary instructional materials
From "Publisher's Criteria for the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts & Literacy"

Contacts