Help students build academic vocabulary by teaching them how words work—not by having them memorize disconnected definitions.
Core Academic Vocabulary: Words and Their Parts is a structured, nine-week vocabulary program for students in grades 4–7. Students learn 48 useful academic words while working with nine common prefixes: un-, non-, re-, dis-, pre-, post-, mis-, over-, and under-.
Each week provides short, focused lessons that help students:
Break words into meaningful parts
Use prefixes to determine meaning
Understand multiple-meaning words
Apply context clues
Select the most precise word
Distinguish between similar words
Use new vocabulary in their own writing
The consistent daily format includes a brief review, targeted practice, and a quick check for understanding. Students gradually move from supported word-part analysis to independent application.
What Is Included
77-page printable PDF
Nine weeks of vocabulary instruction
48 core academic vocabulary words
Five days of work per week
Weekly vocabulary reference pages
Prefix and morphology practice
Context-clue activities
Multiple-meaning word practice
Passage-based questions
Precise word-choice activities
Student writing prompts
Cumulative review weeks
End-of-packet vocabulary check
Complete answer keys
Weeks 4 and 8 provide cumulative review, while Week 9 asks students to apply words from throughout the packet in passages, word-choice activities, writing, and a final packet check.
Weekly Routine
Students complete a different type of vocabulary practice each day:
Day 1: Break Them Apart
Use prefixes and base words to determine meaning.
Day 2: Two Meanings
Examine how a word’s meaning or function changes across sentences.
Day 3: Context Clues
Select vocabulary words that precisely complete sentences.
Day 4: Best Fit
Use short passages to determine the most accurate meaning.
Day 5: Use Them
Apply vocabulary through editing, sentence writing, and short checks.
Vocabulary and Word Parts Covered
Weeks 1–3
un- and non-
re-
dis-
Weeks 5–7
pre- and post-
mis-
over- and under-
Students encounter words such as:
unaware, uncertain, uncover, nonfiction, rebuild, reform, recall, reflect, disorder, discourage, predict, precaution, prehistoric, mislead, misjudge, overlook, overcome, underestimate, and undermine.
Appropriate For
Grades 4–7
Homeschool language arts
Independent practice
Vocabulary intervention
Small-group instruction
Learning centers
Morning work
Homework
Review for older students who need stronger word-analysis skills
The predictable format makes the packet accessible for independent learners while still providing meaningful vocabulary and morphology instruction.
Preparation
Simply print the pages you need. Students can complete the packet in order as a nine-week course or use individual weeks for targeted prefix and vocabulary practice.
Answer keys are included for all objective questions, with suggested responses for open-ended items.
