You will learn
- Recognise academic words.
- Understand their meanings.
- Use them in sentences.
- Use them across subjects.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Notice the word.
- Find the meaning.
- Use it in a sentence.
- Use it in another subject.
Words to know
words used often in school subjects
to study something in detail
facts that support an idea
to explain what something means
1. Discover: The science fair
For the science fair, Zainab must analyse her results, compare two plants and interpret a graph. She writes: “The evidence shows that the plant in sunlight grew taller.” Her teacher says these words will also help in Maths, Social Studies and English.
Think: Why are these words useful in many subjects?
2. Understand: Words for every subject
Idea 1: Academic words
Academic vocabulary includes words used across subjects: analyse, compare, evidence, interpret, summarise, explain.
Idea 2: Meanings
To analyse is to study in detail. Evidence supports an idea. To interpret is to explain what something means.
Idea 3: Use them
Use these words in your talk and writing. Try them in different subjects.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Analyse
What does analyse mean?
- Study closely.
Answer: to study something in detail
Example 2 (We do it together): Evidence
What did the evidence show?
- In the sentence.
Answer: that the plant in sunlight grew taller
Example 3 (You try): Use
Use interpret in a sentence.
Show the steps and answer
- Explain meaning.
Answer: I can interpret a graph to explain what it shows
Did you know?
Researchers have found that knowing academic words helps pupils do better across many subjects.
Why this matters
Academic vocabulary helps you understand tasks and explain your thinking.
4. Explore: Word hunt
Find academic words.
- Look at a textbook page.
- Find three academic words.
- Write meanings.
- Use each in a sentence.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can use academic words.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- I can analyse ___.
- The evidence shows ___.
- I will compare ___ and ___.
- This graph is interpreted as ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. Words used often in school subjects are ___ vocabulary.
academic
Question 2. To study something in detail is to ___.
analyse
Question 3. Facts supporting an idea are ___.
evidence
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- Words used often in school subjects are ___ vocabulary.
- To study something in detail is to ___.
- Facts supporting an idea are ___.
- To explain what something means is to ___.
- Zainab compared two ___.
Level 2: Grow
- What did she compare?
- Which plant grew taller?
- What did she interpret?
Level 3: Stretch
- Is analyse an academic word?
- Can compare be used in Maths?
- Is evidence used in science?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Write sentences using analyse, compare, evidence and interpret.
Show a sample answer
four sentences
Another one. Use two academic words in a sentence about your homework.
Show a sample answer
a completed task
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can recognise academic words.
- I can understand their meanings.
- I can use them in sentences.
- I can use them across subjects.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Notice the word.
- Find the meaning.
- Use it in a sentence.
- Use it in another subject.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Technical vocabulary. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is academic vocabulary? [1 mark]
- What does analyse mean? [1 mark]
- Give two other academic words and meanings. [2 marks]
- Use evidence in a sentence. [1 mark]
- Explain why academic words matter. [3 marks]
Total: 8 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- words used often in school subjects [1]
- to study something in detail [1]
- evidence: facts that support an idea [1]; interpret: explain what something means [1]
- a sensible sentence using evidence [1]
- used across many subjects [1]; help you understand tasks [1]; help you explain your thinking [1]
Score guide: 7 to 8 = secure. 5 to 6 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Words used often in school subjects are ___ vocabulary.
- To study something in detail is to ___.
- Facts supporting an idea are ___.
- To explain what something means is to ___.
- Zainab compared two ___.
- What did she compare?
- Which plant grew taller?
- What did she interpret?
- Is analyse an academic word?
- Can compare be used in Maths?
Homework
Use two academic words in a sentence about your homework.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Words used often in school subjects are ___ vocabulary. | academic | 1 |
| 2. To study something in detail is to ___. | analyse | 1 |
| 3. Facts supporting an idea are ___. | evidence | 1 |
| 4. To explain what something means is to ___. | interpret | 1 |
| 5. Zainab compared two ___. | plants | 1 |
| 6. What did she compare? | two plants | 1 |
| 7. Which plant grew taller? | the plant in sunlight | 1 |
| 8. What did she interpret? | a graph | 1 |
| 9. Is analyse an academic word? | yes | 1 |
| 10. Can compare be used in Maths? | yes | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 academic; 2 analyse; 3 evidence; 4 interpret; 5 plants. Level 2: 1 two plants; 2 the plant in sunlight; 3 a graph. Level 3: 1 yes; 2 yes; 3 yes.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Recognise academic words | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Understand their meanings | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use them in sentences | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use them across subjects | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Listen while your child explains the idea.
- Ask for one new example.
- Praise effort and careful work.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: recognise academic words; understand their meanings; use them in sentences; use them across subjects.
Prerequisite knowledge. Prefixes and suffixes.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.
Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 8-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 5 » Reading: Foundational Skills. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core L.5.6 (acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases); Cambridge Primary English Stage 5 (vocabulary). These sources informed the lesson.