Reading Classwork
Name
Flex Unit
Context Clues
Date_
Reading Teachers: D’Alessio & Konieczna
Task 209
Objectives
•
SWBAT determine the meaning of an unknown word through context.
Do Now
Directions: Complete a syntax surgery on the passage below. Circle the pronouns.
Underline the noun that relates to it and draw an arrow from the pronoun to the noun to
show its relationship. Leave tracks regarding any other inferences you are able to make.
Answer the questions that follow.
Insert understanding significant details – practice passage 4
Mini Lesson & Class Notes
Context clue: words or phrases that give readers
______________________ or ideas to the meaning of
other words.
Good readers use context clues to help determine the meanings of unfamiliar words that
they come across as they read. Example: They just delivered the sausage and cheese ____________ that we ordered.
Using Context Clues
When you come across an unfamiliar word in your reading:
1. Look for words, phrases, or word parts that may be clues, or hints, to the word’s meaning.
2. First, look for clues in the sentence that contains the word. Then, if you need to, look for clues
in the sentences that come before or after.
3. Using the context clues, try to determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
4. Try out meaning in the original sentence, to check whether or not it makes sense
(substitution).
Types of Context Clues
Type
Description
The author provides a direct
definition of an unfamiliar word, right
in the sentence.
*signal words: is, are, means, refers to
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------Appositive Definition A type of definition clue. An
appositive is a word or phrase that
defines or explains an unfamiliar
word that comes before it.
*Signal word: or
Definition
Example Sentence
A conga is a barrel-shaped
drum.
----------------------------------------------He has a cohort, or group of
admirers.
Synonym
The author uses another or phrase
that is similar in meaning, or can be
compared, to an unfamiliar word.
*Signal words: also, as, identical, like,
likewise, resembling, same, similarly, too
My dog Buck travels
everywhere with me. My
friend’s canine buddy travels
everywhere with him, too.
Antonym
The author uses another word or
phrase that means about the opposite
of, or is in contrast with, and
unfamiliar word.
*Signal words: but, however, in contrast,
instead of, on the other hand, though, unlike
I thought the movie would be
weird, but it turned out to be
totally mundane.
Example
The author provides several words or
ideas that are examples of an
unfamiliar word.
*Signal words: for example, for instance,
including, like, such as
In science we are studying
marine mammals such as whales,
dolphins, and porpoises.
General
The author provides some
nonspecific clues to the meaning of
an unfamiliar word, often, spread
over several sentences.
Einstein rode his bike
everywhere. He thought driving
a car was way too complicated.
Limitations of context clues: Context clues work much, but not all, of the time. Sometimes
using context clues doesn’t work because the sentence doesn’t provide enough information.
Example of a sentence without helpful context clues: When I answered the phone, I heard my
sister’s agitated voice.
Cognates: Words in_______languages that share a similar spelling, pronunciation,
and meaning. If you speak another language, cognates can function as a type of
context clue.
Categories of Cognates
Category
*Cognates
Have the same
meaning.
*False
Cognates
Have the different
meanings.
Definition
English
Spanish
chocolate*
doctor
hotel
----------------------------------- -------------Spelled nearly the same
class
family
music
----------------------------------- -------------Pronounced nearly the same baby
equal
peace
chocolate
doctor
hotel
--------------clase
familia
musica
--------------bebe
igual
paz
Spelled identically
pan (bread)
pie (foot)
red (net)
-------------exito (success)
ropa (clothing)
sopa (soup)
Spelled identically
----------------------------------Spelled nearly the same
*English word borrowed from Spanish
pan
pie
red
-------------exit
rope
soap
Examples
From Other
Languages?
Directions: Read the non-fiction text, “Studying the Sky”. As you read, circle any mystery
words. Mystery words are any words that you do not know the meaning of. If you have seen
the word before but cannot define it, circle it.
Insert “Studying the Sky” from the Core Vocab Handbook
Directions: We will work as a class to use context clues to figure out the meaning of
unknown words from, “Studying the Sky”. We will categorize helpful context clues in the
example sentence column of the chart.
Type
Definition
Description
The author provides a direct definition of
an unfamiliar word, right in the sentence.
*signal words: is, are, means, refers to
--------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------Appositive Definition A type of definition clue. An appositive is
a word or phrase that defines or explains
an unfamiliar word that comes before it.
*Signal word: or
Synonym
The author uses another or phrase that is
similar in meaning, or can be compared,
to an unfamiliar word.
*Signal words: also, as, identical, like, likewise,
resembling, same, similarly, too
Antonym
The author uses another word or phrase
that means about the opposite of, or is in
contrast with, and unfamiliar word.
*Signal words: but, however, in contrast, instead
of, on the other hand, though, unlike
Example
The author provides several words or
ideas that are examples of an unfamiliar
word.
*Signal words: for example, for instance,
including, like, such as
General
The author provides some nonspecific
clues to the meaning of an unfamiliar
word, often, spread over several
sentences.
Cognates
Example Sentence
-------------------------------------------------------
Draw what a jabberwocky might look like
JABBERWOCKY
**Even though the nonsense sounding words are
notit’s
“real”
wordsand
you“burbling”:
can use context
while
“whiffling”
to deduce that certain words function as adjectives, nouns, or verbs.
Lewis Carroll
(from Through the Looking-­‐Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)
You should use this same strategy when trying to figure out the meaning of unknown
words you encounter
when
read.
`Twas brillig, and you
the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought -­‐-­‐ So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-­‐snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.