Vocabulary is the recognition and understanding of the meaning of words. Students who recognize, understand and can use a large bank of words are considered to have a large or broad vocabulary (orthographic lexicon), whereas students who have a small or limited vocabulary, recognize, understand and use a small bank of words.

There are three tiers of vocabulary.

Tier 1: Words students use and understand in day-to-day language

 

Tier 2: Words that are used across curriculums (i.e., contrast, drenched, flitting).

 

Tier 3: Words that are curriculum specific (i.e., metamorphosis, sphynx, assassination)

As educators, we want to intentionally build Tier 2 vocabulary, so that students recognize and understand these types of words when encountering them across content areas, in speech and in texts.