What are target words in a reading curriculum?

Target words in a reading curriculum refer to those specific words that students analyze, practice, and learn through various instructional strategies within lessons. These words are often carefully selected based on their relevance to the reading material, their frequency of use, or their phonetic and morphological characteristics, making them essential for vocabulary development and comprehension. By focusing on target words, educators help children build a robust vocabulary that supports their reading skills, enabling them to better understand and engage with texts. This practice promotes deeper literacy skills by ensuring that students can recognize, pronounce, and use these words in context, which is fundamental for their overall reading development.