What’s the best way to teach vocabulary? Research shows that direct instruction is one of the most effective methods. Unlike incidental learning, direct instruction is planned and focuses on specific words that students need to understand.
There isn’t just one way to do direct vocabulary instruction, though. Using a mix of strategies helps students remember words and use them accurately. That’s at the core of Vocabulary Power Plus, our signature vocabulary program that’s built stronger readers and boosted test scores for over 20 years.
Vocabulary Power Plus is always evolving to align with educational research and the needs of today’s students and teachers. We developed the latest edition, Vocabulary Power Plus: Science of Reading, based on feedback from teachers who wanted more opportunities for students to sharpen their reading skills.
While this updated edition for grades 9-12 is packed with the rigorous vocabulary drills and test prep exercises teachers have trusted for years, there are many new features worth exploring. Let’s check them out!
Comparing the Programs
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NEW! Vocabulary Power Plus: Science of Reading
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Vocabulary Power Plus for College and Career Readiness
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Word lists with definitions, synonyms, and antonyms
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Lessons and activities on Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes
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Words-in-context exercises
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Inference exercises
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Sentence completion exercises
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Critical reading tasks modeled on the SAT, ACT, and other standardized tests
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Paired reading passages that ask students to compare different texts
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Cumulative reviews
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Online practice games
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Teacher’s Editions and Test Packs available to order
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Expanded reading passages from history, fiction, and science
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Shades of Meaning and Word Windows graphic organizers
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Visuals to illustrate word usage
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Audio files for word pronunciation
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Grammar and writing exercises
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Available to download online
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Even More Reading Passages
Vocabulary Power Plus: Science of Reading is packed with all-new reading passages from a variety of subject areas. Your students will read selections from classic short stories, excerpts from famous speeches, and informational texts about scientific topics and historical events.
Some lessons include paired reading passages with differing viewpoints. After each passage, students answer critical reading questions about tone and bias.
Shades of Meaning and Word Windows Graphic Organizers
Each lesson now includes a Shades of Meaning graphic organizer that gets students thinking about how word choice can dramatically change the messages of what they read and write.
In this activity, students receive a list of synonyms for a vocabulary word and must decide which ones are stronger or weaker in meaning or tone.
Word Windows activities are based on the Frayer Model, a visual tool that helps students make their own word associations for better retention.
In each chart, students are given a vocabulary word and must fill out the organizer using their own knowledge. The Word Windows chart has four sections:
- Define: Write the definition in their own words.
- Illustrate: Show the word in a creative way, such as a drawing.
- Example: Give a real-world example that shows the word used correctly.
- Non-Example: Write non-examples of the word, like a list of antonyms or a sentence that shows the opposite of the word’s meaning.
New Multisensory Content
In Vocabulary Power Plus: Science of Reading, students will find fun new mnemonic illustrations to help them create strong visual associations that make word meanings easier to recall.
QR codes link to online audio files so students can hear each word read aloud.
Backwards Compatibility
If you’re already using Vocabulary Power Plus for College and Career Readiness, don’t worry! We made sure Vocabulary Power Plus: Science of Reading is backwards compatible, so those who have the old books can still work with mixed classes.
The new edition has the same word lists and still includes:
- Words in Context
- Sentence Completion
- Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
- Inference
- Unit Reviews
All tests, online games, presentations, and supplemental resources remain unchanged. The Teacher’s Editions include any multiple-choice writing and grammar questions and the writing prompts from the old editions.