Rockhill Vocabulary

As part of Rockhill’s School Improvement Plan, we are emphasizing excellence in vocabulary instruction.  Research shows that when teachers and schools take a systematic approach to helping students identify and understand essential vocabulary and concepts in the subject areas, student comprehension and achievement rises.  Rockhill teachers have identified up to 30 key vocabulary words for each grade level that apply across the subject areas studied.  The program being implemented will help students develop their own understanding of the terms through a variety of modes that include writing, drawing, collaboration with other students, individual and group review activities and games.  The idea is for students to constantly review, revise and deepen their understanding of the terms being taught.
Below you will find the lists of vocabulary terms being taught at each grade level.  We ask that you become aware of the words your student is learning and use them as much as you can in conversations with your child.  We want the students to apply what they know, not to memorize definitions.  The words need not be “studied”, but simply be used in everyday life.  We believe that the words chosen will help students better understand content studied and test terminology during SOL and other testing times.


Kindergarten Critical Vocabulary List

answer
back
change
different
describe
directions
discuss
explore
front
identify
last
less
letter
match
more
number
pattern
question
recognize
repeat
retell
rules
same
sequence
share
similar
sort
symbol
title
understand


First Grade Critical Vocabulary List

above
beginning
below
behavior
blend
capitalization
choice
community
compare
differ/different
detail
digit
end
equal
estimate
greater
left
main idea
many
middle
observe
opposite
past
pattern
predict
present
punctuation
rhyme
right
symbol


Second Grade Critical Vocabulary List

alphabetical
appropriate
arrange
character
compose
comprehend
conclusion
continue
contrast
decide
define
demonstrate
describe
diagram
directions
edit
event
explain
fact(s)
identify
illustrate
model
opinion
passage
predict
recognize
separate
skill
solve
value



Third Grade Critical Vocabulary List

benefit/beneficial
border
cause/effect
characteristic
compare/contrast
context
contribution/contribute
culture
custom
data
diagram
discuss
diversity
economics
equal
estimate
fact/opinion
location
main idea
organize
privileges
purpose
reference
represent
resource
rights
sequence
strategy
summary/summarize
tradition
value



Fourth Grade Critical Vocabulary List

affect
analogy
boundary
cause
compromise
conclude
construct
contributions
convey
document
economy
effect
evidence
except
function
impact
infer
influence
interpret
majority
method
minority
primarily
reference
relationship
significance
similar
topic
value
various



Fifth Grade Critical Vocabulary List

abolish
accomplish
acquire
analyze
area
chronological
clarify
classify
compose
current
degree
detail
document
element
ensure
establish
frequency
function
guarantee
infer/inference
influence
interdependence
interpret
observe
obstacles
oppose
reduce
reflection
source
symbols/symbolic/symbolism



Specials Classes Critical Vocabulary List

Art
balance
pattern
repetition
shadow
texture

Library
author
biography
fiction
illustrator
nonfiction

Music
composer
composition
melody
style

PE
balance
cardiovascular
consistency
coordination
dominant
exercise
muscular
non dominant
nutrition
obesity
repetition
transition
Technology
click and drag
cursor
icons
window