Context Clues
L.9-10.4a Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9-10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology.
d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
RI.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology.
d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
RI.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
Context clues are hints authors give you to help you understand words.
These clues allow readers to figure out a word's meaning just by looking at the words around it.
Based on this picture, what is this comic about? What is the author trying to show?
These clues allow readers to figure out a word's meaning just by looking at the words around it.
Based on this picture, what is this comic about? What is the author trying to show?
contextclues_worksheet_2.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Goal:
Check out this chalk outline. Without looking at anything else, can you figure out what happened to the figure?
Clue #1: Once you see the gun, you can guess that the person may have been shot.
Clue #2: Take a look at the briefcase, and you might guess that the person was robbed.
Suddenly we have a much better idea of what happened to this mysterious Chalk Man--just by looking at the CONTEXT CLUES around him!
- I will be able to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues.
Check out this chalk outline. Without looking at anything else, can you figure out what happened to the figure?
Clue #1: Once you see the gun, you can guess that the person may have been shot.
Clue #2: Take a look at the briefcase, and you might guess that the person was robbed.
Suddenly we have a much better idea of what happened to this mysterious Chalk Man--just by looking at the CONTEXT CLUES around him!
We can do this in sentences by using the skills listed below.
Here are three strategies you can use to figure out unfamiliar words:
1. SYNONYMS - Sometimes the author may have provided a synonym right there next to or near a term that you can use to unlock its meaning. A synonym is a word that means almost the same as another. Example: Vehicle and Automobile
Read the following sentence: "Don't think of words as separate, individual items, or entities." What is the meaning of the word entities? The definition is right there - separate, individual items.
When in doubt about the meaning of an unfamiliar word, look around in the sentence; check to see if there is a definition or synonym clue to help you unlock its meaning.
2. ANTONYMS - Check for an antonym clue. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. An author might say something like: "Our President is a peacekeeper, not a warmonger."
What word shows us that we're looking for antonyms? Not. Not tells us us "peacekeeper" and "warmonger" don't mean the same thing. You may not know what a "warmonger" is, but a peacekeeper is someone who wants to keep peace. What can we figure out about "warmonger," then? It would be someone who wants war, not peace.
3. SUBSTITUTION - Sometimes you can reread a sentence that contains an unfamiliar term and substitute a word or phrase for it that makes sense. This can help you unlock the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Example:
"When we stayed at the military base, each Saturday we went to the commissary to buy the food and supplies we would need for the next week."
You probably don't know what a commissary is. But ignore the word for just a minute, and look what comes after it. What word could you substitute for a place where you can buy food and supplies? Maybe a store?
Then you can look at the beginning part of the sentence, which states that a commissary is on a military base. Now you've got a complete picture: a store for food and supplies that is located on a military base.
Practice Small Group Activity:
Try this paragraph in small groups.
Directions: Get out a sheet of paper, split up into your assigned groups, and read the following paragraph. Use context clues to help you fill in the blanks with the correct word.
The 1__________ millionaire is only concerned about his own needs. He’s just so self-involved and prefers to be alone. One would think he could 2__________ others, but he refuses to assist anyone. His future is not bright but rather 3__________ . He is constantly 4__________ rather than relaxed. When he does interact with others, it is only to 5__________ and quiz them on the state of his millions. He has 6__________ wealth and lacks for nothing. He could take a 7__________ anywhere in the world, but he thinks vacations are for the weak of heart. He 8__________ any suggestions that he open up and anyone who tries to interfere in his life. He is rarely 9_________. Instead, he works day and night to continue to add to his millions. He almost seems to lack a 10__________picture of the real world. Everything seems fuzzy to him. He constantly tries to come up with 11__________ and original ideas constantly to increase his wealth. He’s a 12__________ force in the world of wealth. He is one of the most prominent millionaires in the world. I believe some 13__________ giving on his part would help him. No one would have to know if he donated some money to a cause. It could be a 14__________ rather than a burden, and he might find some 15__________ in his life rather than gloom.
A. on edge B. ask questions C. self-centered D. help E. dim
F. not busy G. a great deal of H. clear I. rejects J. pleasure trip
K. happiness L. benefit M. anonymous N. known O. new
Individual Activities:
Directions: Do this activities on your own. You will need a sheet of paper in order to answer the questions.
Here are three strategies you can use to figure out unfamiliar words:
1. SYNONYMS - Sometimes the author may have provided a synonym right there next to or near a term that you can use to unlock its meaning. A synonym is a word that means almost the same as another. Example: Vehicle and Automobile
Read the following sentence: "Don't think of words as separate, individual items, or entities." What is the meaning of the word entities? The definition is right there - separate, individual items.
When in doubt about the meaning of an unfamiliar word, look around in the sentence; check to see if there is a definition or synonym clue to help you unlock its meaning.
2. ANTONYMS - Check for an antonym clue. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. An author might say something like: "Our President is a peacekeeper, not a warmonger."
What word shows us that we're looking for antonyms? Not. Not tells us us "peacekeeper" and "warmonger" don't mean the same thing. You may not know what a "warmonger" is, but a peacekeeper is someone who wants to keep peace. What can we figure out about "warmonger," then? It would be someone who wants war, not peace.
3. SUBSTITUTION - Sometimes you can reread a sentence that contains an unfamiliar term and substitute a word or phrase for it that makes sense. This can help you unlock the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Example:
"When we stayed at the military base, each Saturday we went to the commissary to buy the food and supplies we would need for the next week."
You probably don't know what a commissary is. But ignore the word for just a minute, and look what comes after it. What word could you substitute for a place where you can buy food and supplies? Maybe a store?
Then you can look at the beginning part of the sentence, which states that a commissary is on a military base. Now you've got a complete picture: a store for food and supplies that is located on a military base.
Practice Small Group Activity:
Try this paragraph in small groups.
Directions: Get out a sheet of paper, split up into your assigned groups, and read the following paragraph. Use context clues to help you fill in the blanks with the correct word.
The 1__________ millionaire is only concerned about his own needs. He’s just so self-involved and prefers to be alone. One would think he could 2__________ others, but he refuses to assist anyone. His future is not bright but rather 3__________ . He is constantly 4__________ rather than relaxed. When he does interact with others, it is only to 5__________ and quiz them on the state of his millions. He has 6__________ wealth and lacks for nothing. He could take a 7__________ anywhere in the world, but he thinks vacations are for the weak of heart. He 8__________ any suggestions that he open up and anyone who tries to interfere in his life. He is rarely 9_________. Instead, he works day and night to continue to add to his millions. He almost seems to lack a 10__________picture of the real world. Everything seems fuzzy to him. He constantly tries to come up with 11__________ and original ideas constantly to increase his wealth. He’s a 12__________ force in the world of wealth. He is one of the most prominent millionaires in the world. I believe some 13__________ giving on his part would help him. No one would have to know if he donated some money to a cause. It could be a 14__________ rather than a burden, and he might find some 15__________ in his life rather than gloom.
A. on edge B. ask questions C. self-centered D. help E. dim
F. not busy G. a great deal of H. clear I. rejects J. pleasure trip
K. happiness L. benefit M. anonymous N. known O. new
Individual Activities:
Directions: Do this activities on your own. You will need a sheet of paper in order to answer the questions.
#1
#2
Games
Context Clues Millionaire: http://www.quia.com/rr/151544.html
Context Clues Jeopardy: http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/usergames/Dec201051/game1292858459.php
Context Clues Battleship: http://www.quia.com/ba/223418.html?AP_rand=1669283752
Context Clues Jeopardy: http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/usergames/Dec201051/game1292858459.php
Context Clues Battleship: http://www.quia.com/ba/223418.html?AP_rand=1669283752