Word Study

1. Word Study SPI 0601.1.15 multi-meaning words SPI 0601.1.16 meaning of unfamiliar words SPI 0601.1.17 Use dictionaries, thesauruses, electronic sources, and glossaries as aids in determining the meaning of unfamiliar words. SPI 0601.1.20 Use knowledge of root words, affixes, syllabication, and/or spelling patterns as aids in determining meaning within context.

2. Part 1 Context Clues

3. When you see an unfamiliar word try these steps. Try to figure the meaning of the word by using context clues. By using other words and sentences near the unfamiliar word, along with your knowledge of the topic, you can get a good idea of what the new word means.

4. Definition Context Clue • an explanation for an unknown word is given Example When Sara was sick, her voice was almost inaudible. We couldn't hear what she was trying to say clearly.

5. Repeat Context Clue • synonym Example You can trust the salesmen at that store because they always conduct business in an aboveboard manner.

6. Contrast Context Clue • antonym ExampleI thought the painting of the waves crashing into the shore was very picturesque, but I thought the one next to it was quite ugly.

7. Association or General Sense Context Clue • lets the reader puzzle out a word meaning from whatever information is available ExampleAfter the harvest, we had an abundant amount of apples. We made apple pie, apple sauce, and apple juice because we had so many apples!

8. Specific Examples Context Clue Using examples or illustrations, an author tries to show what a word means. A writer may give just one example or several.. Signals for examples include: such as • including • consists of • colons (:) • dashes (-)

9. Specific Examples Context Clue (examples) • Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket. • A sleuth, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes. • Zack was a good at many sports. He excelled in swimming, running, horsemanship, fencing, and target shooting. He decided to compete in the pentathlon rather than having to choose one of the events.

10. Practice • Context Clues http://www.tlsbooks.com/contextclues.pdf • Direct Definition Context Clues http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/ccdirect.htm • Using Context Clues http://www.internet4classrooms.com/assessment_assistance/assessment_preparation_language_arts_context_clues.htm

11. Part 2 Break the word apart. See if the word contains prefixes or suffixes.

12. Prefixes A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change the meaning of the word (known as the root word).

14. What does this mean? disappear

15. opposite of appear Since appear means to come into view, this disappear must mean the opposite of come into view or to vanish.

16. What does this mean? enrage

17. cause to be in a rage Since rage means anger, then enrage must mean to cause anger.

18. What does this mean? miscalculate

19. wrong calculation Since calculation means sum up, then miscalculation must mean to sum up incorrectly or make a mistake.

20. What does this mean? hopeful

21. full of hope Since hope means wish, then hopeful must mean full of wishing or looking forward to.

22. What does this mean? prepay

23. pay before Since pay means give money for an item, then prepay must mean to pay money before being given an item.

24. What does this mean? retie

25. tie again Since tie means to knot, then retie must mean to knot again.

26. What does this mean? submarine

27. under ocean Since marine means of the ocean, then submarine must mean under the ocean.

28. What does this mean? unreal

29. not real Since real means genuine, then unreal must mean not real or fake.

30. Organizer Glue Prefix Organizer in your notebook.

32. What does this mean? government

33. process of governing Since govern means to rule, then government must mean the process of ruling – authority, leadership, or supervision.

34. What does this mean? kindness

35. state of being kind Since kind means to caring, then kindness must mean the state of being kind or compassion.

36. What does this mean? comfortable

37. can be of comfort Since comfort means to coziness, then comfortable must mean can be of comfort or cozy and restful.

38. What does this mean? joyful

39. full of joy Since joy means to happy, then joyful must mean full of happiness or jubilant.

40. What does this mean? beggar

41. a person connected with begging Since beg means to plead, then beggar must mean a person who pleads.

42. What does this mean? religious

43. Possessing the quality of religion Since religion means to faith or belief, then religious must a person who possesses the quality of faith or belief or spiritual.

44. Practice • http://leadingfamilies.com/learning/writing/flash/bold.swf

45. Organizer Glue Suffix Organizer in your notebook.

46. Part 3 Resources

47. When using context clues or breaking the word apart does not help you figure out its meaning, then try one of these resources. • Dictionary • Thesaurus • Electronic Source • Glossary

48. dictionary •  a reference book composed of an alphabetical listing of words with their meanings

49. thesaurus •  a book that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning (containing synonyms and sometimes antonyms)

50. electronic source • information stored in electronic format: over the Internet (WWW), on CD-ROM or computer disk and accessed directly or via telecommunications