Book excerpt: This book has been created to develop the skills listed in the Common Core Standards. The book focuses on language skills, but will also develop complementary reading and writing skills. The student will focus on a key language skill by completing sets of focused exercises that increase from easy, to moderate, and then to advanced. This leveled and focused approach will introduce students at a comfortable level and then build on the skills so that students reach and then exceed grade level expectations. Covers 10+ Common Core Skills - produces a thorough understanding of synonyms and antonyms - illustrates how prefixes and suffixes change word meaning - provides practice sorting and categorizing words - helps students make real-life connections between words and their meanings - develops skills in understanding and applying shades of meaning - creates an understanding of positive and negative connotations - teaches students to use context to determine meaning - increases vocabulary and develops knowledge of word meanings - encourages the use of precise and descriptive words - enhances reading comprehension skills Key Features - 101 exercises focused on synonyms and antonyms - 10 complete sets of exercises organized into easy, moderate, and advanced - vocabulary, reading level, and difficulty increase through the sets - each set includes a variety of tasks that allow students to develop and then apply new skills - includes a complete answer key About the Common Core Standards The Common Core Standards are a set of standards adopted by most American states. The standards describe what students are expected to be able to do. Student learning is based on these standards throughout the year, and students in most states are tested based on these standards at the end of the school year. This workbook develops many skills listed in the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts, including skills in the reading, writing, and language strands. A complete list of the specific skills covered is included in the back of the book.