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2,000+ Core Tier 2 Vocabulary Words + PDF List

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What are Tier 2 Vocabulary Words?

Have you found yourself asking, “What is a tier 2 vocabulary word?” If so, then I’ve got you covered in this blog post because we’ll be discussing tier 2 vocabulary words as well as tier 1 words and tier 3 words.

Tier 2 words are words that are high-frequency words that are frequently seen in an academic setting across multiple different subjects. 

They are words that are used by native speakers but are more difficult words which makes them words that need to be explicitly taught and learned. 

Tier 2 words aren’t used in spoken language as frequently as tier 1 words and therefore can be more challenging to learn for students. 

Examples of Tier 2 Words

For example, the words benefit, annual, and afford are all tier 2 words.

tier-2-vocabulary

What are Tier 1 Vocabulary Words?

On the other hand tier 1 words are extremely common words, such as nouns and verbs that require minimal or no explicit teaching of their meanings. 

These basic words are words that most native speakers can acquire simply through their daily experiences, such as reading or an everyday conversation with others. 

These high-frequency words are typically root words with no prefix or suffix making their meanings very basic. 

Examples of Tier 1 Words

For example, the words red, help, and look are all tier 1 words. 

What are Tier 3 Vocabulary Words?

Lastly, tier 3 words are low-frequency words that are used in specific domains. 

A specific domain or subject-specific area includes subjects in school, occupations, hobbies, etc.

Tier 3 words are central to a specific subject and should be taught within the context of that subject or domain. 

Examples of Tier 3 Words

For example, the words algorithm and absolute value are all in the math content areas for tier 3 words. 

examples-of-tier-2-vocabulary-words

Vocabulary Instruction

When thinking about vocabulary development and what academic vocabulary words to teach your students focusing on tier 2 words is a great place to start. 

With tier 1 words being common sight words that are frequently learned through daily experiences and with tier 3 words being low-frequency words that are domain specific it would be best to focus on tier 2 words. 

Since tier 2 words are still considered high-frequency words unlike tier 3 words and need explicit instruction unlike tier 1 words it makes them the perfect set of academic words to focus on when thinking about which vocabulary words to teach this school year.

Focusing on tier 2 words is also a great idea for English language learners since these words are frequently used across multiple school subjects and different contexts. 

tier-2-words

SEE ALSO: 430+ Free Multisyllabic Words List Activity Bundle

Grade Level: List of Tier 2 Vocabulary Words

Here is a list of words by grade level for working on tier 2 vocabulary words. With a high frequency of use tier 2 words make a great academic word list to work through.

tier-2-vocabulary-new-words

Kindergarten: Early Grades

agegigglerace
appearglancereach
artistglossyrelax
autumnglowrotten
baygoalround
beakgustrow
bloomhalfsail
bumpyhealthyscene
burstherdscrub
buzzhoofshade
careincludeshaky
checkinvitationship
chillyknightshore
chorelaundrysilky
comfortlazysink
communityleafslide
countryleakslip
coveredlibrarysniff
cradlemarketsoapy
danglemeltsparkle
decisionmiserablespotted
deliciousmonthspring
dentistmuddystare
dewmuseumsummer
disappearnotesupplies
drawerpacetangled
dustypairtent
edgepatienttomorrow
farmerpeacefultrade
fearpecktrunk
fireflypilotwarm
fixplanwave
flipperpointyweek
fluffypolitewiggle
followpondwinter
galloppresidentwish
gentleprotectyesterday
giggleproudyoung
kindergarten-tier-2

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words First Graders

achefancyproblem
adjustfascinatingpromise
affordablefastenprotect
alarmfeastproud
alonefilthyquestion
annoyflatrapid
apologizefleereminds
appetitefocusremove
applausefogrepeat
artisticfootprintreport
atmosphereforestrescue
attachfreezingrestart
attentionfrustratedreturn
bashfulgatherrhyme
basketgiantripe
batchgladrise
behavegleamingroar
belongglumrough
bendgrabrusty
blinkgratefulscold
blushgrinscratch
boltgripsearching
borrowgroanseed
bundlegrumpyselfish
cabinhatchserious
caterpillarheapshell
cautionhideshovel (verb)
cavehobbyshriek
celebratehonestsibling
centaurhowlsilent
championhugesimple
chatignoreslippery
cheatillustratorsly
chimneyimportantsneaky
comfortableinjurysob
compassinsteadspecial
complaininvestigatespiral
conductorinvitesplendid
consequencesjealousspotless
constructknobsprinkle
costumeleadersquirm
cozyliststartle
crankylistensteep
crashlivelystomped
creakloosenstormy
croaklovelystriped
crowdedmasksuddenly
cuemeasuringsuggestion
curvemiserablesurprise
dailymistysurround
daintymodernswitch
dartmountainterrified
decidemumblethick
decoratenarrowthunder
delightednegativeticket
deniednervoustimid
deservenibbledtransportation
directionsnotetravel
disappointednoticetrust
discoverobeyuncomfortable
divideobservingupset
dodgeoppositewarning
drenchedordinaryweed
drowsypainwhimper
embarrassedpassengerwhirl
enormouspatternwicked
equalpestwonder
exclaimpolishworried
exhaustedpositiveyank
expensiveprecious
exploreprefer
fairpretend
first-grade-tier-2

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Second Grade

accidentdozenobserve
agreedrowsyocean
amazeearthopinion
amusingeditpack
analyzeeffectpale
annoyenemyparade
arrangedenergypast
arriveenormouspeak
astronomyescapepeeking
atlasestimateplan
attentioneveningplanet
avoidexactlypoke
awardexcesspredict
awareexerciseprefer
balanceexpectpresent
bannerfactoryprocess
barefairproof
basefamouspublish
beachfeastrecords
besidesfieldreflect
blastfinallyrevise
boardflaprumor
bouncefloatsafe
brainflockscholar
branchfloodseal
bravefoldsearch
brightfreshseparate
cagefriendlysettle
calffrightenshare
calmfrownshelter
careerfuelshiver
causegapshy
centergaspsimilar
cheergatherskill
chewgazeslight
classifygiftsmooth
clawgravitysoil
cleargreedystack
cliffguststeady
clubharmsteaming
collecthelpfulstormy
communityherdstrand
conclusionIdeastream
connectincludesum
continueinsectsupport
cooperationinsistsuppose
coreinstrumentsway
cornerinventswoop
coupleinvestigateteam
crowdislandtelescope
curiouslabeltiny
cycleleadertower
dampleanedtravel
dangerousleaptreasure
dashlivingtremble
datalizarduniverse
dawnlocalvanish
deeplonelyvillage
demolishluxuryvolunteer
describemarchwarn
designmatterweak
detailmentionwealthy
diagrammoistwhisper
differencemotorwise
differentnecessarywonder
discardnervousworry
discovernetyard
divenibblezigzag
domenon-living
doubtnotice
second-grade-tier-2-words

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Third Grade

abilitydozepeer
absorbdriftperform
accuseeffectpersuade
actelectpleasant
activeelegantplunge
actualenableprank
additionalendangeredpredator
adopteventpredict
advantageexamineprevent
adviceexampleprimary
agreeableexperienceprivilege
ambitionexploreprocess
ancientfanpurpose
approachfatalrare
arcticfiercerate
argueflexiblerecall
arrangeflutterrecognize
assistfortunateregion
attitudefrailrely
attractfuriousremark
averagegasprepair
avoidgatheredresident
boldgistrespect
borderglideresponsible
briefglobereverse
brilliantgracerevive
cablegradualridiculous
capturegrasprisk
carelesshabitscar
causeharshscatter
certainImitateschedule
chillindividualsensitive
cleverinfershiver
climateintelligentsignal
clingintendsimilar
coastinvitationslumber
compareirritatesolution
confessjourneyspoil
considerlaunchstarve
constructlimitsteer
containlocatestruggled
continentloyalstumble
contrastmagnificentsuitable
convincemarinesurvey
cowardmarshswift
creditmendsymbol
crewmethodtackle
crumplemiserytalent
culturemoisturetentacle
custommultiplytheory
danglemuralthrill
decaymystifytreasure
deednationtriumph
defendnectartypical
delicatenervousunite
describenurseryunusual
detailsobservevalue
developoccurvehicle
deviceopponentvision
diagramoppositevolunteer
digestordealwander
disappointedoriginwisdom
diseaseoutcomewit
distantpassagewoe
divisionpastime
dozepatient
driftpause
third-grade-tier-2-words

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Fourth Grade

accomplishdevelopoutstanding
accuratedifferencepassage
adaptationdisappointedpeculiar
addressdisasterpeer
afforddisclosepermit
alertdistractpersuade
analyzedistressplead
ancestordistributeplentiful
annualduskpointless
apparenteagerportion
approachedeasepractice
appropriateeffectiveprecious
arenaeliminatepredict
arguedentertainprefer
arrestentireprepare
ascendentranceprevious
assistenvyproceed
attemptessentialpurpose
attentiveestimatequeasy
attractiveevidencerarely
automaticallyexamplereason
avoidexceptrecent
awkwardexclaimedrecognize
baggageexperimentrecommend
basicextraordinaryreduce
benefitflexiblerelease
blendfocusrepresent
blossomfortunaterequest
borderfragileresist
burrowfranticresponse
calculatefrequentresult
capablefrontierreveal
captivityfuriousroutine
carefreegenerosityscarce
causehailselect
centuryhardshipseparate
chamberheroicsevere
circularhostshabby
coaxhumbleshallow
columnimpactsimplify
communicateincreasesole
compareindicatesource
competitioninfersturdy
completeinformsummarize
concentrateinsertsupport
concerninspiresurface
concludeinstantsurround
confirminvisiblesurvive
confusejaggedtemporary
congratulatelackterror
considerablelimbthreat
contentlimpthreatens
contrastmanufacturetidy
contributemastertour
convincematuretradition
craftymaximumtragic
createmeadowtypical
criticalminimumusually
decreasemistrustvacant
defendmockvaliant
demonstratemodestvariety
descendnoblevast
describeobserveventure
desireobviousweary
destructiveorchard
detailorganized
fourth-grade-tier-2-vocabulary-words

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Fifth Grade

abolishendangerordinary
absurdequivalentoverthrow
abuseescalatepardon
accessescalatepassage
accomplishestablishpasture
accurateevadepedestrian
achievementevaluateperish
aggressiveevidencepersuade
alternateexasperatepetrify
altitudeexcavateportable
announceexertprefix
antagonistexhaustpreserve
antonymexhibitprimary
anxiousexpansionprotagonist
apparentexpectationprovide
approachexplainpurchase
approvalexpressrealistic
approximateextendreassure
argumentexultrecently
aromafamiliarreference
assumefeeblereign
astoundfrequentreliable
availablefrigidrequire
avalanchegiganticresemble
avoidgistretain
banquetglareretire
beveragegorgerevert
blandguardianreview
blizzardharshrevolt
brisklyhazyroute
budgeheartysaunter
bungleheroicscarce
cautiouslyhesitateseldom
ceasehilarioussenseless
challengehistoricsever
characterhomonymsignificant
claimhorizontalslither
combinehostilesluggish
companionhuddlesoar
compassionidenticalsolitary
compensateidentifysolo
complyillegiblesource
composeilluminatesparse
conceptimmensespurt
concludeimmigratestrategy
confidentimpressivesuffix
conflictindependentsuffocate
consistentindustrioussummarize
contextinfluencesummit
convertintensesuperior
convinceinterceptsuspend
courseinvestigatesynonym
courteousjubilationtalon
cravekintaunt
cultureluxurioustension
debatemajorthrifty
decademiniaturetolerate
declineminortranslate
dedicatemischieftremble
deprivemonarchtropical
detectmoralunexpected
dictatemythunfamiliar
dissatisfiednarratorvertical
documentnavigatevisible
dominatenegativevisual
drowsynonchalantvivid
duplicatenumerouswilderness
edibleoasiswithdraw
effortlessobsolete
endangeroccasion
equivalentopposed
fifth-grade-tier-2

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Sixth Grade

abandondomesticnegotiate
abundantdominateobedient
accessdrasticobjective
accommodatedurationoblivious
accumulatedwellobstacle
adapteclipseomniscient
adequateeconomyonset
adhereeerieoptimist
adjacenteffectorigin
agonyefficientoriginate
allegianceelaboratepainstaking
ambitioneligibleparaphrase
ampleeludeparody
analyzeencounterpeculiar
anguishencouragepersecute
anticipateequationpersuade
anxiousequivalentplummet
appareleruptpossess
appealesteempoverty
apprehensiveevaluateprecise
appropriateevolvepredicament
aridexaggeratepredict
arrogantexcelprejudice
artifactexcludepreliminary
aweexhaustprimitive
barrenexpansepriority
beaconexploitprominent
beneficialexpressionpropel
benefitextendprosecute
blunderextensiveprosper
boisterousextinctprovoke
boycottextractpursue
burdenfactorquest
calculateferociousquote
campaignformerrealistic
capacityformulatesrecount
capitalfrequentrefuge
catastrophefusereinforce
chronologicalfutilereluctant
citizengenerateremorse
civicgenreremote
civilizationgenuinerepetition
claritygovernmentresolute
collaboratehabitatrestrain
collidehazardousretaliate
commendhistoryretrieve
commentaryhoaxrigorous
compacthostilerural
composehypothesissalvage
composureidiomsanctuary
conciseignitesiege
conclusionimmensesignificant
congruentimprovisessimilar
consentineptsolar
consequenceinevitablesolution
conserveinfluencesoothe
conspicuousingeniousstationary
constantinnovationstifle
constructinsistsstrategy
contaminateintimidatestrive
contextirrigatesubordinate
continuousjovialsubsequent
contrastknacksubstitute
contributeleewaysuperior
controversylegislationsupplement
convenientleisuresuspense
copeliberateswarm
cordiallikenesstangible
cultivatelingertentative
cumulativeliteralterminate
declareloatheterrain
delugeloftythesis
democracyluretrait
densemajoritytransfer
depletemakeshifttransform
depositmanipulatetransport
designatemarveltreacherous
desperatemassiveunanimous
deterioratemaximumunique
dialoguemeagerunruly
diligentmereurban
dimensionmigrationvacate
diminishmimicvariable
discretionminuteverdict
dissentmonotonousverge
dissolvenarratevibrant
distinctvital
diversityvow
sixth-grade-vocabulary-tier-2

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Seventh Grade

abatedeviousnotify
abdicatedevournotorious
abnormaldisheartennurture
abodedismalobnoxious
abrasivedismantleomit
abruptdistraughtopposition
acceleratediversityoppress
acclaimdocileoration
acknowledgedownrightorthodox
acquiredroneoverwhelm
acriddumbfoundpamper
addicteligiblepatronize
adequateemblempeevish
adjacentemphasizepelt
admonishendurepending
affiliationensueperceive
afflictionenthrallperjury
agitateepidemicpermanent
ajarerodepersist
akinestimatepersuasive
allegeevaluateperturb
allocateexoneratedpique
alternativeexpositionpluck
amendmentexuberantpoised
annihilateexuberantponder
anonymousfamishedpotential
antagonizefathompredatory
apathyfeudprediction
arbitratefigmentpresume
aspirefirebrandpreview
astuteflabbergastprior
attributeflagrantprominent
authenticflawprospective
avertformidableprowess
bamboozlefruitlesspunctual
belligerentgaudyquench
bellowgeographyquote
beseechgratifyradiant
bestowgravityrandom
bewildergrimrant
biasgruelingrecede
bigotgruesomerelinquish
blatanthagglereprimand
bleakharassresolve
boycottheadlongresume
braggarthilariousretort
brawlhomagerobust
browsehomiciderudimentary
bystanderhospitablerupture
candidhurtlesaga
candorhybridsecession
canineilliteratesequel
cannyimpartialsham
capriciousimpedeshirk
capsizeimploresignify
casualincidentsimultaneously
casualtyincreduloussnare
catastropheindifferentsovereign
caterindustriousspecies
causeinevitablestatus
characterizeinfamousstodgy
chorusinfuriatesubstantial
chronologicalinhabitantssubtle
citrusinitiatesullen
clamberinsinuatesupervise
climaxintensifiedsuspense
compelintimidatetalisman
competentinundatetamper
componentiratetentative
compromiseirrelevantthrob
conclusivelavishtoxic
concurlegacytragedy
condemnlegendarytreason
confrontlegitimatetrickle
congestedlethaltrivial
conjureliaisonuncertainty
connotationlibelunscathed
consecutiveloathupright
consultludicrousurgent
contrastlurkutmost
copiousmagneticvengeance
correspondmagnitudevicious
corruptmandatoryviewpoint
counterfeitmaternalvindictive
covetmaulvista
customarymelancholyvocation
dawdlemellowvoid
debutmirthwary
deceasedmitigatewhim
deceitfulmomentumwince
demeanormortifywrath
dependentmullyearn
derogatorymurky
despondentnaive
detachnarrate
devastatenarrative
deviousnecessity
seventh-grade-tier-2

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Eighth Grade

abetdireonslaught
abhordiscernopposition
abrasiondisdainornate
accorddisgruntledovation
adeptdispatchovert
advocatedispositionpang
agiledoctrinepanorama
allotdubperish
aloofdurableperspective
alternativeeccentricpersuasive
ambiguouselapsephenomenon
amisselitepioneer
analogyembargopithy
anarchyembarkpivotal
anonymousencompassplagiarize
anthologyencroachplausible
anticsendeavorplunder
apathyenhanceporous
apprehendenigmaprecise
ardentepochprediction
articulateerapreposterous
assaileventfulprevalent
assimilateevidenceprincipal
assumptionevokeprocedure
atrocityevolveprodigy
attributeexceptionalproficient
audaciousexcerptprofound
augmentexcruciatingproprietor
authorityexemplifyprudent
availexoticpseudonym
avidfacilitatepungent
awryfallacyquote
balmyfastidiousrankle
banfeasiblerational
banterfendrebel
barterferretrebuff
belligerentflairrebuke
benignflusteredreception
bisectfocusrecourse
bizarreforebodingrecur
blaséforfeitrenounce
bonanzaformidablerenown
bountifulformularesilient
boycottfortifyresponse
cachefosterrevenue
capablegauntreverberate
capaciousgenerationrubble
captiongingerlyrue
causeglutsage
characterizegrapplesedative
chastisegropeserene
chronologicalgruesomeservile
citadelgullibleshackle
citehaggardsignificant
cladhavensimilar
clarifyheritagesimulate
colleaguehindrancesimultaneous
commemoratehoversleek
commencehumanesource
compelsimminentspecific
componentimpelspontaneous
conceptimperativesporadic
conciseinauguratestamina
concludeincensestance
confiscateindifferentstaple
conjectureinfinitestint
connoisseurinstillstrident
conscientiousinstitutesublime
consecutiveintegratesubside
conservativeinterrogatesuccumb
consistentintervenesurmise
conspireintricatesurpass
constructinventivesusceptible
contagiousinventorysuspense
contrastirascibleswelter
conventionaljurisdictiontedious
conveylanguishteem
corroboratelegendarytheme
crucialliberaltheory
crusadelolltirade
culminatelucrativetract
deceptiveluminoustransition
deciphermemoirtrepidation
decreemercenaryturbulent
defacemergetycoon
defectmeticulousultimate
depictmienungainly
deploremillenniumuniversal
deployminimizevalidate
derivemodifyvariable
desistmusevice versa
desolatemustervie
despicablemutinyvilify
despondentnarratevoracious
deternovicewage
dialectobsoletewrangle
eighth-grade-tier-2-vocabulary-words

Older Students: Tier 2 Vocabulary Words

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 9th Grade

absolveescalatemortify
alleviateevaluateniche
alternativeexacerbateobscure
ambivalentexcerptobsolete
analyzeexemplifypacify
animosityexplicitperception
approximateexpositionperspective
arbitraryfalterpertinent
attributefeasibleponder
beneficialfeignprevalent
comprehensivefluctuateproponent
connotationformulatepunitive
contrastgeneraterapport
crediblegistrationale
cursoryhypotheticalreconcile
cynicimpartialredundant
dearthimplausiblerespective
deficientimplicationretaliate
demonstrateimplysabotage
depictincentivescrutiny
deriveincoherentsimilar
detractindolentsimulate
devastateinfamoussquander
digressinfuriatesuccumb
dilemmainnovationtangible
diligentintercedetechnique
dissentinterprettraumatic
distortintimidateturmoil
diversionisolatevalid
elationjeopardizeverify
elicitlucrativeviable
escalatemandatoryvulnerable
evaluatemediate
ninth-grade-vocabulary-words

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 10th Grade

abstractdormantpanacea
admonishegocentricperfunctory
advocateelusivepreposterous
alternativeemulateprecarious
ambiguousequitableprecipitate
analogyeradicatepreclude
anarchyestrangeproficient
assiduousexacerbatepropensity
assimilateexpeditequalitative
augmentfabricatequantitative
authenticfacilitaterecalcitrant
belligerentfortuitousredeem
bolsterfraudulentrejuvenate
bureaucraticheinousrelegate
circumventhypotheticalrelinquish
coalitionillicitrepugnant
cohesiveimminentresilient
collaborateimpetuousretrospect
complyincongruoussanction
concurrentindigenousspontaneous
connotationindiscriminatestatic
constituentinherentstringent
contingentjurisdictionsubordinate
criterialaxsubsidize
demeanormeticuloustenuous
deplorenegligenttravesty
derogatorynonchalanttumult
disparityobliviousunilateral
disseminateobscurevalidate
dissidentomnipotentvindicate
distraughtopportunezealot
divertoppose
tenth-grade-tier-2-vocabulary-words

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 11th Grade

aberrationconciliatoryincessant
abstractcontrastincidental
accoladecopiousincite
accommodatecordialincorrigible
aestheticdearthindict
affinitydebilitateindoctrinate
altercationdecadenceinsurgent
amelioratedeferenceintangible
amicabledelineatejudicious
anarchydeprecatelavish
anomalydespotlistless
appalldeviousmeager
archaicdidacticmeander
arduousdisparagenegligent
articulatedissonanceobliterate
astuteduplicityponderous
authoritarianedificepreclude
aversioneffervescentprerequisite
biasedegregiousproximity
brevityelusiverectify
cajoleequivocalrescind
callouserroneousresolution
capitulateexemplaryrigorous
catalystexpedientscrutinize
catharsisextraneoussubstantiate
causticformidablesurmise
censurefrivoloustirade
chastisegruelingturbulence
clamorhaphazardunimpeachable
coalescehereticunobtrusive
cognizanthindranceusurp
commiseratehypocrisyvacillate
composureiconoclastwhimsical
eleventh-grade-tier-2

Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 12th Grade

anachronisticdivergentperfidious
abbreviateempathyprecocious
abdicateemulatepretentious
abstinenceenervatingprocrastinate
adulationenhanceprosaic
adversityephemeralprosperity
aestheticevanescentprovocative
amicableexasperationprudent
anecdoteexemplaryquerulous
anonymousextenuatingrancorous
antagonistfloridreclusive
aridfortuitousreconciliation
assiduousfrugalrenovation
asylumhackneyedresilient
benevolenthaughtyrestrained
camaraderiehedonistreverence
censurehypothesissagacity
circuitousimpetuousscrutinize
clairvoyantimputespontaneity
collaborateincompatiblespurious
compassioninconsequentialsubmissive
compromiseinevitablesubstantiate
condescendingintegritysubtle
conditionalintrepidsuperficial
conformistintuitivesuperfluous
congregationjubilationsuppress
convergencelobbyistsurreptitious
deleteriouslongevitytactful
demagoguemundanetenacious
digressionnonchalanttransient
diligentnovicevenerable
discreditopulentvindicate
disdainoratorwary
divergentostentatious
empathyparched
twelfth-grade-tier-2

Lesson Plans

Again when it comes to vocabulary direct instruction it’s important to focus on the notion of tiers. 

The different tiers of words help you decide which type of words to focus on. 

There a lot of opportunities to learn tier 1 words simply through conversation and daily life making them less important to focus on and with tier 3 words for more mature language users and used in a specific field of study they are low-frequency words and less important to focus on as well.

That leaves us with tier 2 words as our key words to be focusing on to get our biggest bang for our buck. 

tier-2-vocabulary-words

SEE ALSO: 179+ Free Speech Therapy Wh Questions Printable

Instruction of Tier 2 Words

I’ve spent the last year creating something very special for my community! 

And I’m excited to announce in the month of August 2022 I’ll be releasing my newest tier 2 vocabulary resource.

Here is a sneak peek of what’s coming!

Are you in need of a year group vocabulary lesson plan? Each grade level bundle comes with 100 words giving you 2 pages per week for a 25-week school year lesson plan.

Practice using the vocabulary words in various contexts.

  • Say the vocabulary word aloud.
  • Write or type the vocabulary word.
  • Read the word used in a sentence.
  • Identify a synonym and/or antonym.
  • Select the correct definition.
  • Fill in the blank using your vocabulary word.
  • Use the word in a sentence using the given real-life photos.
  • Highlight the context clue.
  • Select the correct definition based on the context clues given.
  • Answering questions about your new vocabulary word.

The best part is practicing the vocabulary words in various ways from saying the word aloud, to selecting the correct answer, to creating your own definitions, to selecting the correct definition based on the context clues.

tier-2-vocabulary-worksheets

Tier 2 Vocabulary List PDF

Fill out the form below to grab your copy of tier 2 academic vocabulary words for grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. Looking for another fun idea? Create a grade-level word wall with your new words!

Grab your Free Tier 2 Vocabulary Lists!

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    Frequently Asked Questions: Tier 2 Vocabulary Words

    How do You Know if a Word is Tier 2?

    Tier 2 words are words that are of high frequency that are used across a variety of contexts and are not domain or topic specific. 

    What is the Difference Between Tier 2 and Tier 3 Words?

    Tier 2 words are high-frequency words that can be used across multiple different subjects or topics while tier 3 words are low-frequency words and are domain specific. For example, infer and form are both tier 2 words while lava and DNA are both tier 3 words. 

    SEE ALSO: 193+ Multiple Meaning Words Grouped by Grade + Free Worksheets

    tier-2-vocab

    How Do you Teach Tier Two Words?

    Practice using the vocabulary words in various contexts.

    • Say the vocabulary word aloud.
    • Write or type the vocabulary word.
    • Read the word used in a sentence.
    • Identify a synonym and/or antonym.
    • Select the correct definition.
    • Fill in the blank using your vocabulary word.
    • Use the word in a sentence using the given real-life photos.
    • Highlight the context clue.
    • Select the correct definition based on the context clues given.
    • Answering questions about your new vocabulary word.

    Is Rainbow a Tier 2 Word?

    Even though the word rainbow is a common word frequently used in conversation and might be thought to be a tier 1 word it is also a domain-specific word and used to understand and describe a specific topic, therefore, it is considered a tier 3 word.

    What is a Tier 3 Vocabulary Word?

    Tier 3 words are those low-frequency words that are used in a specific domain or subject-specific area including subjects in school, occupations, hobbies, etc.

    They are specialized words that are used in a specific domain and only have one meaning.

    For example, the words algorithm and absolute value are all math-specific tier 3 words. 

    tier-2-vocabulary-words

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      gail

      Friday 10th of February 2023

      Request grade levels 6 thru 12

      Melissa Berg

      Monday 13th of February 2023

      Hi Gail, Thanks so much for reaching out! This post does include grades 6th-12th. I'm wondering if you're asking about my paid vocabulary product. Currently, my paid product includes grades K-6th. Wishing you all my best, Melissa

      Ashley Dawkins

      Tuesday 8th of November 2022

      Do you have a complete PDF for each Core Vocabulary Tier?

      Melissa Berg

      Wednesday 9th of November 2022

      Hi Ashley, I don't have a PDF for the individual Tiers. However, at the end of this post, I have a PDF of the Tier 2 words. Wishing you all my best, Melissa

      Victoria

      Tuesday 4th of October 2022

      Hi! This resource is great. I was wondering where you got these tier 2 vocabulary from. Thank you.

      Melissa Berg

      Wednesday 5th of October 2022

      Hi Victoria, Great question! I wish there was one perfect source out there to give you, but the list was largely made from a combination of curriculum vocabulary words I got from working in the schools, which I then cross-referenced with grade-level standards and the below list of resources. Of course, the number of words I could have listed is quite large (especially for the later grades). So when created my product of 100 words per grade there was some degree of personal choice in the list where I chose words that I felt were most applicable to the academic setting. In other words, tier 2 words the students would most frequently use in an academic setting.

      Here are a list of sources I used: The Academic Word List (AWL) was developed by Averil Coxhead at the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. The list contains 570 word families which were selected because they appear with great frequency in a broad range of academic texts. The list does not include words that are in the most frequent 2000 words of English (the General Service List), thus making it specific to academic contexts. The AWL was primarily made so that it could be used by teachers as part of a programme preparing learners for tertiary level study or used by students working alone to learn the words most needed to study at colleges and universities. The 570 words are divided into 10 sublists. The sublists are ordered such that the words in the first sublist are the most frequent words and those in the last sublist are the least frequent. Beck, Isabel L., McKeown, Margaret G., and Kucan, Linda. (2002). Bringing words to life. New York, NY: The Guilford Press Coxhead, Averil and Nation, Paul (2001) 'The Specialised Vocabulary of English for Academic Purposes'. In Flowerdew, J. and Peacock, M. Research Perspectives on English for Academic Purposes. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge Coxhead, Averil (2000) A New Academic Word List. TESOL Quarterly, 34(2): 213-238. Marzano, R. J. (2010). Teaching basic and advanced vocabulary: A framework for direct instruction.  Boston: Heinle-Cengage. Marzano, R. J. & Pickering, D. J. (2005). Building Academic Vocabulary (Teacher’s Manual). ASCD Montgomery, Judy K. (2008). MAVA-Montgomery assessment of vocabulary acquisition. Greenville, South Carolina: Super Duper Publications, Inc. Montgomery, Judy K. (2007). Vocabulary Intervention for RTI: Tiers 1, 2, 3 Retrieved October 28, 2008, VOCABULARY INTERVENTIONS FOR RTI: TIERS 1, 2, 3 https://www.marzanoresources.com/reproducibles/vocab-common-core/ Select: Source List for Terms (must sign in to access list)

      All my best, Melissa

      Monica

      Wednesday 21st of September 2022

      Hi. Is there a way to obtain a complete PDF list of your 2000 + Core Tier 2 Vocabulary Words, complete from level K through 12?

      Melissa Berg

      Thursday 22nd of September 2022

      Hi Monica, Yes, there is a PDF with a list of all the words. At the end of this post, there is a form for your name and email address. Simply fill in that form so the freebie can be emailed directly to your inbox. All my best, Melissa

      Comments are closed.