Core Academic Vocabulary & Prefixes | Grades 4–7 | 9-Week Vocabulary Packet

Help students build academic vocabulary by teaching them how words work—not by having them memorize disconnected definitions.

Core Academic Vocabulary: Words and Their Parts is a structured, nine-week vocabulary program for students in grades 4–7. Students learn 48 useful academic words while working with nine common prefixes: un-, non-, re-, dis-, pre-, post-, mis-, over-, and under-. 

Each week provides short, focused lessons that help students:

• Break words into meaningful parts
• Use prefixes to determine meaning
• Understand multiple-meaning words
• Apply context clues
• Select the most precise word
• Distinguish between similar words
• Use new vocabulary in their own writing

The consistent daily format includes a brief review, targeted practice, and a quick check for understanding. Students gradually move from supported word-part analysis to independent application. 

What Is Included

• 77-page printable PDF
• Nine weeks of vocabulary instruction
• 48 core academic vocabulary words
• Five days of work per week
• Weekly vocabulary reference pages
• Prefix and morphology practice
• Context-clue activities
• Multiple-meaning word practice
• Passage-based questions
• Precise word-choice activities
• Student writing prompts
• Cumulative review weeks
• End-of-packet vocabulary check
• Complete answer keys

Weeks 4 and 8 provide cumulative review, while Week 9 asks students to apply words from throughout the packet in passages, word-choice activities, writing, and a final packet check. 

Weekly Routine

Students complete a different type of vocabulary practice each day:

Day 1: Break Them Apart

Use prefixes and base words to determine meaning.

Day 2: Two Meanings

Examine how a word’s meaning or function changes across sentences.

Day 3: Context Clues

Select vocabulary words that precisely complete sentences.

Day 4: Best Fit

Use short passages to determine the most accurate meaning.

Day 5: Use Them

Apply vocabulary through editing, sentence writing, and short checks.

Vocabulary and Word Parts Covered

Weeks 1–3

• un- and non-
• re-
• dis-

Weeks 5–7

• pre- and post-
• mis-
• over- and under-

Students encounter words such as:

unaware, uncertain, uncover, nonfiction, rebuild, reform, recall, reflect, disorder, discourage, predict, precaution, prehistoric, mislead, misjudge, overlook, overcome, underestimate, and undermine.

Appropriate For

• Grades 4–7
• Homeschool language arts
• Independent practice
• Vocabulary intervention
• Small-group instruction
• Learning centers
• Morning work
• Homework
• Review for older students who need stronger word-analysis skills

The predictable format makes the packet accessible for independent learners while still providing meaningful vocabulary and morphology instruction.

Preparation

Simply print the pages you need. Students can complete the packet in order as a nine-week course or use individual weeks for targeted prefix and vocabulary practice.

Answer keys are included for all objective questions, with suggested responses for open-ended items.