CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.6
The Standard
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
What This Standard Means
Students need to learn, choose, and use grade-level academic words and subject-specific terms with accuracy. They should notice when a word matters to understanding a text or explaining an idea, then use context, word parts, glossaries, dictionaries, or discussion to figure it out.
Mastery looks like students using words such as analyze, infer, bias, variable, and structure correctly in speech and writing. They can explain word meanings in context, not just copy definitions. Students often get stuck using vague words, memorizing definitions without applying them, or missing small shifts in meaning across subjects.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs a short article and sticky notes to mark five words they must understand, then build a class meaning chart with examples.
- Ask students to revise one paragraph by replacing vague words like thing, good, and shows with precise academic vocabulary.
- Use an exit ticket with three target words: define one, use one in a sentence, and explain one from context.
- Have students collect five words from science, social studies, or math class and explain how each word works in that subject.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.6
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.6
Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and c...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phra...