Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards: Level 2
Congratulations on your purchase of the Really Good
Stuff® Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards:
Level 2—a powerful tool for critical vocabulary
instruction.
Meeting Common Core State Standards
The Really Good Stuff® Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary
Cards aligns with the following English Language
Arts Standards:
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
L.3.4, L.4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of
unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases
based on grade-level reading and content, choosing
flexibly from an array of strategies.
L.3.4 a. Use sentence-level context as a clue to
the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.4.4 a. Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or
restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of
a word or phrase.
L.3.5, L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of
figurative language, word relationships, and nuances
in word meanings.
L.3.5 b. Identify real-life connections between
words and their use (e.g., describe people who are
friendly or helpful).
L.4.5 c. Demonstrate understanding of words by
relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and
to words with similar but not identical meanings
(synonyms).
L.3.6, 4.6 Acquire and use accurately gradeappropriate conversational, general academic, and
domain specific words and phrases, including those
that signal spatial and temporal relationships.
The strategies introduced here can be used for any
explicit vocabulary instruction.
Managing the Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards:
Level 2
• Cut apart the sample Sentence Strips (see
reproducible) and place them in alphabetical order.
• Place the cards in alphabetical order, and store
them with the Really Good Stuff® Teaching
Guide and Sentence Strips in a bag.
• Visit our Web site at www.reallygoodstuff.com to
download Really Good Stuff® Teaching Guides.
Introducing the Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards:
Level 2
Instruction geared toward Tier 2 words can be the
most productive because these words are frequently
encountered across a variety of domains and are
critical to text comprehension. This vocabulary
set gives students real-world context through
photography, along with student-friendly definitions
and lists of related words.
This Really Good Stuff® product includes:
• 35 Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards
• This Really Good Stuff® Teaching Guide
To read and understand complex text, students
must be able to comprehend critical vocabulary. This
set of Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards features Tier
2 words, or general academic words that children
will encounter across subject areas in their reading.
Chosen because of their utility and complexity,
these words are just a sampling of those needed for
grades 3-4 and should be added and expanded upon.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
The back of the cards is divided into three sections
that should be used to deepen the understanding of
the target words:
1. A sample sentence related to the photo.
2. A personal connection question.
3.A Question – Reason – Example (QRE) section
in which students must use critical thinking
skills to demonstrate understanding of the
target word.
All teaching guides can be found online.
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards: Level 2
If you choose to post the photo side of the
Vocabulary Card on a wall, or find it cumbersome
to look on the back during instruction, you can
find all card-back information in the Robust Tier 2
Vocabulary Reproducible.
How to Use the Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards:
Level 2
Introduce and teach Tier 2 vocabulary in a
consistent, explicit way. Follow the steps below
introducing one word per week.
Day 1
1.Introduce the target word: Hold up the photo
side of the Vocabulary Card and pronounce the
target word.
2.Read the sample sentence on the back, and
ask students what they think the word means.
(If you opt to have students complete the
sentence starter rather than use the sample
sentence, continue to Step 3 and then have
students complete the sentences. See page 3
for a complete list of the Sentence Starters.)
3.Give a brief explanation or definition of the word.
4.Talk about words that are related to the
target word, and review the provided list on
the front of the card. Call attention to words
with a different part of speech, and talk about
how that affects meaning.
5.Place the Vocabulary Card and its
corresponding sample Sentence Strip in a
pocket chart.
6.Have students record the word in a journal,
along with their own definitions, related words,
sentences, and illustrations.
Day 2
7.Review the word, definition, and sentence from
Day 1.
8.Ask the Personal Connection question on the
back of the card. Give students time to answer
aloud or have them partner up and take turns
asking and answering the questions.
9.Check for understanding: Read the Question,
Reason, and Example section (QRE) aloud to
further explore the meaning of the target word.
Have students generate additional examples
and non-examples.
Days 3-5
10.Post the target Vocabulary Card on a word
wall to give students a constant visual,
and use it to engage them in the following
activities:
• Have students generate synonyms of the
target word and post them next to the
target word.
• Invite students to find and post additional
images of the target word.
• Task students to find the target word
used in context (in a magazine, book, or
newspaper) and to bring it in to share with
classmates.
• Challenge students to use the target word in
their own writing and speech.
Related Really Good Stuff® Products
Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards: Level 1 (#305630)
Academic Vocabulary Journals (#305268)
Academic Vocabulary: Grade 3 Language Arts
Cards (#305201)
Academic Vocabulary Language Arts Question
Cards (#305520)
Vocabulary Flip Chart (#305635)
Snoozers Activity Journal: Wake Up Your Vocabulary
(#305603)
2 Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Cards: Level 2
Sentence Starters
Use these sentence starters to get students thinking about the target word and how it relates to the photo. Start
the activity by having students complete the sentences in pairs or on their own. Have them read their sentences
aloud, make illustrations, and post them on the wall alongside the target word.
1. Now that Nathan is able to juggle three balls with ease, he wants to…
2. Part of their active day at the beach included…
3. Even though her actual hair was a similar color to that of the wig, the teacher wondered if…
4. Jill wanted to adopt the puppy from the moment that she…
5. Although their parents had an advantage, the kids…
6. Nancy asked the sales attendant for advice because…
7. On its approach, the golf ball…
8. Although Michael’s clothing was designed for arctic conditions, he…
9.To assist Mary in her recovery from surgery, the nurse…
10. The sudden change in color astonished the lab technician because…
11. Mom said that we all should get an average size scoop of ice cream because…
12.To avoid all the traps, the clever mouse…
13. Once the animal control officer captured the raccoon, he…
14. We chilled the drinks so that…
15. Both teams competed fiercely to…
16. The woman made her fortune by…
17. The dancer moved with such grace that it seemed as if…
18. Because of the leaves’ gradual color change in the fall, you can…
19. Frances has the habit of biting her nails whenever she…
20.Nora ordered individual cupcakes instead of a cake so that…
21. The group knew that it would be a long journey to the campground, so they…
22. You cannot drive past the limit behind the school, because that is…
23. Jill was able to locate all the resources she needed to…
24. Often you can see moisture on the leaves if you…
25. The magician’s final trick mystified the audience and left it…
26.Using a magnifying glass, Billy observed the bees to learn how they…
27. When we came to the two signs pointing in opposite directions, we decided to…
28.As an original clothing designer, Shari…
29. When Dee got to the lake, she paused to…
30.To prevent harm during an accident,…
31. Looking at old photographs, Paula and her mom recalled the time…
32.The player knocked over the basket and scattered the tennis balls when he…
33.It is a shabby barn that we no longer use, but my grandfather…
34.From the hot air balloon, we could see vast green hills that looked like…
35.She felt weary and needed to rest because she…
All teaching guides can be found online.
Helping Teachers Make A
Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750 3
®
Sentence Strip Reproducible
Now that Nathan is able to juggle three balls with
ease, he wants to improve his skills and go to a
juggling festival.
Part of their active day at the beach included a
fierce game of tug of war.
Even though her actual hair was a similar color
to that of the wig, the teacher wondered if her
students would recognize her on stage.
Jill wanted to adopt the puppy from the moment
that she held it in her hands.
Although their parents had an advantage, the kids
had fun pulling on the rope and doing their best.
Nancy asked the sales attendant for advice
because she wanted the blouse to be perfect for
the interview.
4 Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
Sentence Strip Reproducible
On its approach, the golf ball stopped just short of
the hole.
Although Michael’s clothing was designed for
arctic conditions, he struggled to stay warm.
To assist Mary in her recovery from surgery, the
nurse takes her to the park daily.
The sudden change in color astonished the lab
technician because the liquid had been clear just
seconds before.
Mom said that we all should get an average size
scoop of ice cream because it has a lot of sugar.
To avoid all the traps, the clever mouse resisted the
cheese and made its way out of the maze.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
5
Sentence Strip Reproducible
Once the animal control officer captured the
raccoon, he took it to an open space and set it free.
We chilled the drinks so that they would be extra
cold after the beach volleyball game.
Both teams competed fiercely to continue on to
the national championship game.
The woman made her fortune by buying and selling
land.
The dancer moved with such grace that it seemed
as if she were floating through the air.
Because of the leaves’ gradual color change in the
fall, you can see many shades of color at once.
6 Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
Sentence Strip Reproducible
Frances has the habit of biting her nails whenever
she feels anxious or bored.
Nora ordered individual cupcakes instead of a
cake so that everybody could have one with a
different design.
The group knew that it would be a long journey to
the campground, so they started out early in the
morning.
You cannot drive past the limit behind the school,
because that is where the buses park.
Jill was able to locate all the resources she needed
to write her report.
Often you can see moisture on the leaves if you go
outside early in the morning.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
7
Sentence Strip Reproducible
The magician’s final trick mystified the audience
and left it bewildered.
Using a magnifying glass, Billy observed the bees
to learn how they gather nectar and pollen from
flowers.
When we came to the two signs pointing in
opposite directions, we decided to go left.
As an original clothing designer, Shari sketches out
new designs.
When Dee got to the lake, she paused to watch the
sunset and feel the cool breeze.
To prevent harm during an accident, always wear
your safety belt properly with both straps fitting
snuggly.
8 Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
Sentence Strip Reproducible
Looking at old photographs, Paula and her mom
recalled the time Paula was learning to drive a car.
The player knocked over the basket and scattered
the tennis balls when he hit the ball that hard!
It is a shabby barn that we no longer use, but my
grandfather does not want to tear it down.
From the hot air balloon, we could see vast green
hills that looked like they continued for miles.
She felt weary and needed to rest because she had
been jogging for miles.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
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Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Reproducible
10 Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Reproducible
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750
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Robust Tier 2 Vocabulary Reproducible
12 Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2013 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #305750