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Learn how to use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. This strategy helps improve reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.
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Context Clues Goal: Expanding vocabulary“I know, find, and use interesting words” Strategy: Use schema and context to confirm meaning.
What are CONTEXT CLUES? Context clues are words, phrases, and sentences surrounding an unfamiliar word that give clues or hints to its meaning.
Have you ever been reading along and come across a word that was unfamiliar? A word that you were unsure of its meaning?
How do I use CONTEXT CLUES? When I come to a word I don’t know, I can use this plan to check for clues. • Check for a context clue that is right there in the sentence. • If I find a clue, reread the sentence with the clue in mind. • Think to myself, what is this sentence trying to say?
5 kinds of CONTEXT CLUES. Learning these 5 types of context clues will help you use information around the word to infer the meaning. • Synonym • Definition • Example • Contrast • Inference
Synonyms and Definitions • These types of clues give you a word that means the same, a short definition, or description. • These clues are often set off by a comma (,) or dashes (-). • Signal words in the sentence may include or,means, in other words, and also known as. • These are often the easiest clues to find.
Let’s Practice! • Lets try to figure out the meanings of these next two words. Remember to look for context clues and signal words. • Just click on the word that you think is correct. • If you miss, you’ll see a sad face. Click on it to try again. • If you used your clues correctly you’ll get a cheer!
Examples of Synonym and Definitions Jackie was filled with mortification, or shame, because of her careless remark. Using the synonym clue, the word mortification in this sentence means? proud shame confident happy
Examples of Synonym and Definitions The man was sent to the penitentiary, also known as a prison, for stealing cars. Using the definitionclue, the word penitentiary in this sentence means? paradise heaven prison hotel
Context clues of Example • These clues often give a list of examples to explain or describe the unfamiliar word. • Signal words include: such as, for example, and including. • The examples are also set off by commas, or dashes.
Let’s Practice ! • Remember use the signal words and context clues. • Click on your guess. • If you miss the sad face will bring you back to try again. • If you’re correct you’ll move on.
Context Clues of Example Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket. Using the example clue, the word projectiles in this sentence means? things put down things hurt things broken things shot forward
Context Clues of Contrast • This type of clue tells you what something isn’t, instead of what it is. These clues may give you an opposite of the word’s meaning. • You may see these signal words; but, unlike, not, instead of, and rather than. • Signal words will be set off with a comma, and the context clue will follow the signal word.
Let’s Practice ! • Remember use the signal words and context clues. • Click on your guess. • If you miss the sad face will bring you back to try again. • If you’re correct you’ll move on.
Examples-Context Clues of Contrast • After taking the lift to the top, Doug was reluctant to ski down the mountain, unlike his friend Bob who was eager to take off. • In this sentence, the word reluctant means? unwilling keen ready happy
InferencesContext Clues of Experience • With these clues you must use your own knowledge to figure out the meaning of a word. • At times you must piece together the clues with the information you already know to infer the meaning of a word. clues + what I know = meaning
Let’s Practice! You know what to do!
InferencesContext Clues of ExperienceExample Tobacco companies are accused of trying to lure young people into smoking with ads that feature hip cartoon characters or attractive young people smoking. In this sentence the clue of experience tells you the word lure means? trick put off help resist attract
That’s Right! You probably know that tobacco companies want to make money. You probably know that young people like you are attractedto famous characters or people. So lure must mean attract!
Summarize the Learning Using the Context Clue strategy, I can improve my goal of expanding vocabulary Context clues are words that help me figure out an unknown word. There are 5 kinds of clues or hints to look for: Synonyms-definitions-examples-contrast-experience Using Context Clues will help me become a more independent reader.
Credits: Context Clues slideshow developed by Patty Rieple Betz Elementary Resources: The Café Book: Engaging all Students in Daily Literacy Assessment and Instruction, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, Stenhouse Publisher, 2009 Edhelper-content clues printables http://www.edhelper.com/language/Context_Clues.htm Reading for Understanding: Scholastic skills book level C, Scholastic Inc., 1995.
