Everyone knows that students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are not well prepared for school, have the toughest time making the grade. But what hasn't been so clear is what schools can do about it ... until now. Here at last is a book that spells out how to overcome the deficiencies that hamper the achievement of so many students. Learn why insufficient background knowledge is a chronic cause of low achievement, and discover how a carefully structured combination of two approaches--sustained silent reading and instruction in subject-specific vocabulary can help rescue low achievers and boost the academic performance of all students. Drawing from 35 years of research, the author uses detailed vignettes to provide readers with the following tools needed to close achievement gaps: (1) Characteristics that determine the success of a sustained silent reading (SSR) program; (2) A five-step SSR program that extends through grade 10; (3) Eight characteristics of effective vocabulary instruction that enhance academic background knowledge; (4) A six-step process for vocabulary instruction in 11 subject areas; and (5) The vocabulary terms that are critical to students' success. This book is organized into the following seven chapters: (1) The Importance of Background Knowledge; (2) Six Principles for Building an Indirect Approach; (3) Tapping the Power of Wide Reading and Language Experience; (4) Building Academic Background Knowledge Through Direct Vocabulary Instruction; (5) Six Steps to Effective Vocabulary Instruction; (6) Defining an Academic Vocabulary; and (7) Setting Up a Schoolwide or Districtwide Program.