1. Examining the Academic Vocabulary of the CCSS Source: Smarter Balanced English Language Arts Item Specifications, Appendix C, p. 69-71; Common Core State Standards in ELA and Mathematics

2. Classifying Vocabulary Words “When choosing vocabulary words to be tested, it is important to distinguish among the following tiers:” Tier 1 Basic, everyday words head, hand, book, girl, dog Tier 2 Used in academic writing and used in learning across many topics/levels. Exactly, construct, modify, verify, compensate Tier 3 Low-frequency and discipline-specific; included in specific, focused topics Legislative, circumference, allegory, stamen “These words will seldom be the focus of vocabulary questions on common core assessments.”

3. Instructional Focus “Developing vocabulary questions in assessments requires a focus on tier 2 words at all grade levels.” “Students who know tier 2 words like the ones listed [in Appendix C] are greatly advantaged in the close, analytic reading required by the Common Core standards.”

4. English Language Arts Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. (ELA Anchor—Reading #4, “Craft & Structure”)

5. English Language Arts Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. (ELA Anchor—Reading #4, “Craft & Structure”)

6. English Language Arts Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. (ELA Anchor—Reading #4, “Craft & Structure”)

7. Mathematics Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties. (5.G)

8. Mathematics Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties. (5.G)

9. Mathematics Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties. (5.G)