Choosing the Right Words: Tiered Vocabulary Instruction

Written By Sean Redmond

August 25, 2024

Building on our foundation, we now turn to selecting the right words to teach. Vocabulary can be divided into three tiers:

  • Tier 1: Everyday words acquired through conversation.

  • Tier 2: Academic words used across disciplines—ideal for explicit instruction.

  • Tier 3: Subject-specific terms, taught as needed.

Focusing on Tier 2 words gives students the academic language they need to access complex content. Upcoming training sessions will provide strategies for identifying and teaching these crucial terms. Keep SYS units and classroom norms visible, and let’s continue to make word learning purposeful and empowering.

Sean Redmond
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How Do We Choose the Right Vocabulary Words?
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Kickstarting a Year of Intentional Vocabulary Instruction