English lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes
Context clues: working out meaning from the whole passage
Vocabulary
CCSS L.7.4.AEngland: KS3 Reading (vocabulary in context)England: GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q1–Q2
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Context clues: working out meaning from the whole passage.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Context clues: contrasts and examples
Leads to: Multiple-meaning words: 'most nearly means' in context
Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Context clues: contrasts and examples). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Instead of being GRATEFUL, the guest complained about everything. (definition / contrast / example) → contrastPrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.
- Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Precipitation, such as rain, sleet, hail and snow, is measured every day. (wind speed / water falling from the sky / temperature / cloud cover) → water falling from the skyPrompt: Look for contrast words (unlike, although, but, whereas, instead of) or example words (such as, like, including).
- What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Bats are NOCTURNAL, which means they are active at night. (definition / contrast / example) → definitionPrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.
Hook · 3 min
- Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
- Share the objective: Context clues: working out meaning from the whole passage. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The hiker had to RATION her water, drinking only a few sips every hour to make it last.
- Step 1: When no definition is given, use the situation, causes and results described around a word to infer its meaning.
- Step 2: So the answer is: share out in limited amounts
- Answer: share out in limited amounts
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The detective found the witness's story IMPLAUSIBLE; nobody could run five kilometres in four minutes. (hard to believe / very detailed / well told / true) → hard to believePrompt: There is no direct definition here. What is happening in the rest of the sentence?
- Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The negotiations reached an IMPASSE: neither side would compromise, and the talks were suspended. (a celebration / a short break / a situation where no progress is possible / an agreement) → a situation where no progress is possiblePrompt: Look for what happens next or what causes what: these are your clues.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? Tom's apology seemed PERFUNCTORY; he mumbled it without looking up from his phone. (written down / done without real care or interest / heartfelt / very long) → done without real care or interestPrompt: Look for what happens next or what causes what: these are your clues.
- Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The rumour spread so RAPIDLY that by lunchtime the whole school had heard it. (quickly / secretly / slowly / quietly) → quicklyPrompt: There is no direct definition here. What is happening in the rest of the sentence?
Watch out for
- Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
- Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Context clues: contrasts and examples.
- Use concrete materials: word cards.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Multiple-meaning words: 'most nearly means' in context.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-7.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder