Many middle school students have problems interpreting the vocabulary in their reading activities. This lesson addresses the Tennessee Language Arts Content Standard in grades 6-8 of developing the reading skills necessary for word recognition, comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of the written text. When the vocabulary is mastered, the comprehension level increases. The learning expectation of extending vocabulary using contextual and reference skills as well as using cognitive strategies to evaluate text critically is addressed in the first lesson. The second lesson, involving teamwork to solve vocabulary words through games and presentations, meets the learning expectation of improving fluency through opportunities for oral presentations. Exploring the origin of words is the activity presented in the third lesson. This lesson uses the learning expectation of improving comprehension by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text. Even pre-teens and young teenagers enjoy solving puzzles and word games. Lesson four lets the students enjoy these on the internet while addressing the learning expectation of selecting, evaluating, and utilizing resource material in order to apply it effectively. The last lesson involves the activity of defining and making sentences with vocabulary words and meets the learning expectation of using comprehension strategies to enhance understanding, to make predictions, and to respond to literature.