Middle School Vocabulary Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.7-8.6

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

When students reach the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels the expectations for their reading ability expands greatly with each successive year. This begins with having a strong command of vocabulary words and spelling. The books are much more complex and often introduce higher level words that are explained through context. We took a good deal of time to identify the vocabulary terms that we would not only see as common, but fundamental towards being a strong reader at the middle school level. We would highly encourage students to get ahead in the often time and work to master these selections in their off time. These worksheets will give you plenty of opportunity to learn new terms that are not only appropriate, but pivotal towards success at the middle school grade levels.

Middle School Vocabulary Worksheets To Print:

Matching Sheet - Match each concept to its meaning.

Blank Filler - Fill in the blanks with the correct choice.

Be Bold - Circle the word that is a synonym for the choice that is in bold.

Drawing a Blank - You can always remove the phrase bank to make it more challenging for students.

Synonym Slide - Write a synonym for each these choices. If you need to, use a thesauraus to help you.

Powerful Terms - These are terms that exert an understanding of power or conflict.

Box In - Match the definition to the correct choice.

Fill It Up! - There are a series of sentences that are lacking a term, fill it in.

Write and Use It - Write a synonym for each term and then use each in a sentence.

Same and Different - Write a synonym and an antonym for each of the choices. Use a thesaurus if you need to. Use each of those form in a sentence that you compose.

Used Up - There are more words to choose from then you will need to use.

Stand Ins - These are terms that students have difficulty transfering from paper to speech.

Same Meaning - Come up with your own synonym for each word that you come across.

Copycat - This can be used with any vocab list you may have handy.

Creative Sentences - Use each word in a sentence of your own.

How to Improve Your Middle School Vocabulary

Mastering English vocabulary can be somewhat tricky. This goes for native speakers as well as students whose first language isn't English. Various identical words tend to have different meanings based on context. Lexicon may also change with time. Moreover, you'll need to master grammar and structure to ensure proper usage of words in any situation.


Building up vocabulary isn't just crucial for middle school. It's a skill that will continue benefiting you (academically and non-academically) long after you've left this education level behind.


This piece contains some valuable tips that you can adopt to improve your middle school vocabulary. So, let's get straight into it!

 


Practice Vocabulary Using a Systematic Approach

Set time aside each day to focus on vocabulary building. As with anything else, consistency is the key to improvement here. So, work on learning some new words and their meanings every day. This will help a lot more than spending hours learning 50 new words in a single day; because a lot of them will be gone within a week or so.


So, commit to short and highly focused vocabulary-learning sessions – say 15 to 30 minutes – each day. Doing this will give you a firm linguistic base and your overall language proficiency will be considerably enhanced. Follow up and test yourself on the new words to solidify what you've learned.

 


Reading, Reading, and Reading

There's no better way to build vocabulary and enhance language proficiency than reading. Find a category of interest (science, arts, sci-fi, historical fiction, current affairs, psychological thrillers, crime fiction) and read everything you can get your hands on within it. Regular reading would build up your vocabulary quicker than any other approach.

 


Always Keep a Dictionary Close By

Look up the meaning of a new and unfamiliar word whenever you come across one. Do this throughout the day, even when you aren't actively working on your vocabulary. Perhaps you saw a word previously unknown to you in the newspaper or on the class notice board. Search for their meanings as soon as you're able to.


If you can make dictionary usage a strong habit, it will continue well into adulthood. Nowadays, it's easier to do so because of the various digital gadgets. In the past, people had to carry pocket dictionaries around. Now, you can simply browse the meaning of a word online.

 


Play Around with the Word Association Technique

Teachers often use the "word association technique" in class during vocabulary lessons. It starts with the instructor writing a word on the board. Students then have to say the first word that comes to mind, though it must relate to the term written on the board. If no one can come up with a related word, the teacher discusses the meaning of the word on the board to enhance students' understanding.


You can use the same technique in your own time as well. Prepare flashcards with different words. Take a look at each card one by one and jot down the related terms that come to mind. If you can't find one, look up the meaning of that word and try to understand the different contexts in which it can be used.