We know that teaching academic vocabulary to elementary students is one of the most impactful ways we can support students’ long-term academic success.
As teachers, we understand that words like analyze, compare, and describe—the language of school—don’t always come naturally to young learners, especially for our English language learners.
Explicit instruction is key. Embedding vocabulary instruction into daily lessons, using strategies like
- word walls
- student-friendly definitions
- visual supports
- lots of opportunities for students to use new words in speaking and writing
can help make these terms stick. Consistent exposure, along with activities like vocabulary games, sentence frames, and read-alouds that highlight target words, empowers students to confidently engage with complex texts and tasks across subjects.
It’s not about isolated word lists—it’s about building a rich, language-filled environment where academic vocabulary comes to life.
I came across this list of Academic Words at Vocabulary.com. Click on over and see how the site has tabs for definitions, notes and examples and words only. They also have tabs for practice and spelling bees. 
This is a great a resource for list for Academic Word expansion to help students see the relationship between words.
create (verb)
creation (noun)
creative (adjective)
creatively (adverb)
Most Common Academic Vocabulary Words include:
- analysis
- approach
- area
- assessment
- assume
- authority
- available
- benefit
- concept
- consistent
- constitutional
- context
- contract
- create
- data
- definition
- derived
- distribution
- economic
- environment
- established
- estimate
- evidence
- export
- factor
- financial
- formula
- function
- identified
- income
- indicate
- individual
- interpretation
- involved
- issue
- labour
- legal
- legislation
- major
- method
- occur
- percent
- period
- policy
- principle
- procedure
- process
- required
- research
- response
- role
- section
- sector
- significant
- similar
- source
- specific
- structure
- theory
- variable
By making academic word instruction an intentional and consistent part of our teaching, we give our students the tools they need to access the curriculum, express their thinking clearly, and build confidence across all subject areas.
When we create engaging, supportive opportunities for students to practice and apply new words, we open doors to deeper understanding and academic achievement.
Our efforts today lay the foundation for their success tomorrow.
READ MORE ABOUT TEACHING VOCABULARY HERE!
Happy Teaching!
