• 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 straight / not wide / not safe / 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 teacher's admonition — "Never run near the pool!" — made us slow down. (admonition) (question / reward / joke / warning) → warningPrompt: 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 water was so murky that we couldn't see the fish. (murky) (cloudy and dark / freezing cold / very deep / crystal clear) → cloudy and darkPrompt: Look at the other words in the sentence. What do they tell you?

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Words with more than one meaning. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? The kite flew high in the light breeze. (light)
• Step 1: The rest of the sentence tells us which meaning a multiple-meaning word has.
• Step 2: So the answer is: gentle, not strong
• Answer: gentle, not strong
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? Don't forget to file your homework in the folder. (file) (a tool for smoothing nails / put papers in order / a line of people / a computer document) → put papers in orderPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.
2. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? Can you match the socks into pairs? (match) (find things that go together / a stick that makes fire / a game between teams / be equal to) → find things that go togetherPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? Turn right at the traffic lights. (right) (correct / something you are allowed / the opposite of left / fair) → the opposite of leftPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.
2. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? She took a quick glance at her watch. (watch) (guard / a small clock on the wrist / look at for a time / be careful) → a small clock on the wristPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-3.