For many years, practitioners have heard that middle level teachers are teachers of reading. As the standards movement gains strength, it is even more crucial that teachers explicitly teach key vocabulary that makes their students "insiders" when it comes to understanding the content areas. This article reminds the reader of the principles for vocabulary development, followed by "high utility" strategies that works well for early adolescents. Middle level students are ripe for word work with a proper balance of choice and challenge. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)