New in our Vocabulary in Context series, this book for students reading at 9th-10th grade level introduces over 175 vocabulary words in high-interest passages on hip-hop music and culture. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Vocabulary in Context: The History of Hip-Hop—The First 25 Years!
1. What is Vocabulary in Context: The History of Hip-Hop—The First 25 Years?
Vocabulary in Context is a program that consists of high-interest passages containing relevant vocabulary words. Students will encounter the bolded words in the passages and determine their meaning through context.
2. How will my students benefit from using Vocabulary in Context?
Vocabulary in Context will challenge your students and allow them to read compelling information about hip-hop, rap, the artists involved in the movement, and its influence on society. Rather than simply memorizing and repeating definitions of new words, students using Vocabulary in Context as a learning tool will have to use reason to determine logical, correct answers to the exercises. Students will also find the passages inherently interesting because the music is part of their daily lives, which will help them enjoy the reading even further and assist in their retention of the words’ meanings.
3. Is there a teacher’s edition available? What does the teacher’s edition include?
Yes. The Teacher’s Edition of Vocabulary in Context includes an introduction and the Flesch-Kincaid level and word count for each passage. It also contains answers, explanations for the answers, and a listing of specific Common Core State Standards for all exercises.
4. For what reading levels is Vocabulary in Context intended?
All the passages are based on Flesch-Kincaid levels between 9.4 and 10.5.
5. What standards does Vocabulary in Context address?
The program addresses a variety of Common Core State Standards for Grades 9-10, including Vocabulary Acquisition and
Use Standards and Reading: Informational Text Standards. The Teacher’s Edition includes Standards alignments with each
question in the book.
6. What types of exercises does Vocabulary in Context include?
Vocabulary in Context includes the following types of exercises:
- exercises in which students determine vocabulary word definitions based on the context given to them in the passage;
- exercises in which students fill in the blanks in sentences with the vocabulary word that best completes each sentence;
- multiple-choice questions in which students are tested on their analytical abilities and comprehension of the passage;
- multiple-choice questions in which students make inferences based on vocabulary words and information from the passage;
- exercises that deal with interpreting roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
7. How is Vocabulary in Context organized?
Vocabulary in Context: The History of Hip-Hop—The First 25 Years contains 17 passages, all of which are followed by five exercises. Each passage tests 10-12 vocabulary words. The end of the book provides an alphabetical list of all vocabulary words used, their parts of speech, and their definitions. In the Teacher’s Edition, a note to the teacher and a list of objectives precede the first passage. Answers are written into the exercises, and detailed answer explanations for Exercises 3 and 4 can be found in the Teacher Answer Guide.
8. How long is Vocabulary in Context?
Vocabulary in Context is approximately 140 pages long. Each passage contains between 500 and 625 words.
9. Is Vocabulary in Context reproducible?
No. All of our books are copyright protected. Vocabulary in Context is priced to allow students to have their own books.
10. Is Vocabulary in Context a series, or is it a stand-alone book?
We are currently developing additional books in the Vocabulary in Context series to address other high-interest topics and expand the range of reading levels.
Vocabulary in Context: The History of Hip-Hop—The First 25 Years is available now! Download a sample here.