Back to the lesson plan builder
Lesson length30 min45 min60 min
Questions🔀 New questions

Print the plan for yourself; the student sheet prints on its own page after it.

English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Context clues: definitions and restatements

Vocabulary

CCSS L.6.4.AEngland: KS3 Reading (vocabulary in context)England: 11+ English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Context clues: definitions and restatements.

  • 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: Using context clues

Leads to: Context clues: contrasts and examples

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 (Using context clues). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Use the clues in the sentence. What does the word in brackets mean? The path was so narrow that we had to walk in single file. (narrow) (not safe / not straight / not wide / not long) → not widePrompt: Look at the other words in the sentence. What do they tell you?
  2. Use context clues. What does the word in brackets most likely mean? The once-bustling market was now desolate; not a single stall remained. (desolate) (expensive / empty and bleak / cheerful / crowded) → empty and bleakPrompt: Look for signal words: unlike, despite, so…that, a colon or dash that explains.
  3. Use the clues in the sentence. What does the word in brackets mean? The cake was enormous; it filled the whole table. (enormous) (very big / very cold / very old / very sweet) → very bigPrompt: Look at the other words in the sentence. What do they tell you?

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: definitions and restatements. 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: Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The hikers were FAMISHED — extremely hungry — after the six-hour climb.
  • Step 1: Writers often define or restate a hard word right beside it, using commas, dashes, brackets or phrases like 'or', 'that is' and 'which means'.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: extremely hungry
  • Answer: extremely hungry
  • 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.
  1. Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. She gave a TERSE reply; in other words, it was short and almost rude. (long and detailed / loud / warm and friendly / brief and abrupt) → brief and abruptPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.
  2. Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? The ruins were full of ARTEFACTS, or objects made by people long ago. (The ruins / or objects made by people long ago / long ago / were full of) → or objects made by people long agoPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

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.
  1. Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? Mia is GREGARIOUS; in other words, she loves being with people. (being with / she loves / in other words, she loves being with people / Mia is) → in other words, she loves being with peoplePrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.
  2. Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Leo felt APPREHENSIVE, that is, worried about what might happen, before his first match. (worried about the future / angry / bored / excited and happy) → worried about the futurePrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

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: Using context clues.
  • 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: Context clues: contrasts and examples.
  • 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-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

Context clues: definitions and restatements

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? Koalas are HERBIVORES (animals that eat only plants).

    • A. Koalas are
    • B. (animals that eat only plants)
    • C. plants
    • D. only

  2. Question 2

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The museum displays ARTEFACTS — objects made by people long ago.

    • A. fossils of animals
    • B. old paintings only
    • C. ancient buildings
    • D. objects made by people in the past

  3. Question 3

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? The town built a LEVEE — a high bank of earth — to hold back the river.

    • A. The town built
    • B. to hold back
    • C. a high bank of earth
    • D. the river

  4. Question 4

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The town built a LEVEE, a high wall of earth, to keep the river from flooding the streets.

    • A. a bridge
    • B. a deep ditch
    • C. a wall of earth that holds back water
    • D. a type of boat

  5. Question 5

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? Leo felt LETHARGIC, that is, sluggish and short of energy, after the flu.

    • A. after the flu
    • B. the flu
    • C. Leo felt
    • D. that is, sluggish and short of energy

  6. Question 6

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The forecast warns of a DELUGE, a sudden heavy flood of rain.

    • A. a dry spell
    • B. a heavy downpour
    • C. a strong wind
    • D. a light drizzle

Free from eurekami.com

for the adult only

Answer key: Context clues: definitions and restatements

  1. 1. B. (animals that eat only plants)

  2. 2. D. objects made by people in the past

  3. 3. C. a high bank of earth

  4. 4. C. a wall of earth that holds back water

  5. 5. D. that is, sluggish and short of energy

  6. 6. B. a heavy downpour