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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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? Mia was elated when she won the prize, jumping up and down with joy. (elated) (very worried / very bored / very cross / very happy) → very happyPrompt: 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? His explanation was so convoluted that nobody could follow it. (convoluted) (funny / accurate / complicated / brief) → complicatedPrompt: 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? Dad was furious when the window was smashed; his face went red and he shouted. (furious) (very angry / very proud / very sad / very calm) → very angryPrompt: Look at the other words in the sentence. What do they tell you?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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. A CARTOGRAPHER, a person who makes maps, helped plan the route. (a pilot / a tour guide / a mapmaker / a photographer) → a mapmakerPrompt: 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? Koalas are HERBIVORES (animals that eat only plants). (Koalas are / only / plants / (animals that eat only plants)) → (animals that eat only plants)Prompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 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. (Mia is / being with / she loves / in other words, she loves being with people) → 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. The scientist used a PIPETTE, or thin glass tube, to add one drop at a time. (a type of chemical / a thin tube for moving small amounts of liquid / a measuring jug / a microscope) → a thin tube for moving small amounts of liquidPrompt: 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

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Context clues: definitions and restatements

Name

Date

Score/ 8

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

  2. Question 2

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Bats are NOCTURNAL, which means they are active at night.

    • A. active at night
    • B. very small
    • C. able to fly
    • D. afraid of light

  3. Question 3

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? The athlete's TENACITY — her refusal to give up — won her the race.

    • A. The athlete's
    • B. her refusal to give up
    • C. won her
    • D. the race

  4. Question 4

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The recipe calls for a PINCH of salt, a very small amount held between finger and thumb.

    • A. a very small amount
    • B. a cup
    • C. a large spoonful
    • D. a bag

  5. Question 5

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Mia is GREGARIOUS; in other words, she loves being around other people.

    • A. sociable and outgoing
    • B. forgetful
    • C. shy and quiet
    • D. bossy

  6. Question 6

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. A CARTOGRAPHER, a person who makes maps, helped plan the route.

    • A. a mapmaker
    • B. a tour guide
    • C. a photographer
    • D. a pilot

  7. Question 7

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? The speech was full of JARGON, specialist words that most listeners did not understand.

    • A. full of
    • B. most listeners
    • C. specialist words that most listeners did not understand
    • D. The speech was

  8. Question 8

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The athlete was known for her TENACITY — she simply never gave up.

    • A. height
    • B. kindness
    • C. speed
    • D. determination

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Answer key: Context clues: definitions and restatements

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

  2. 2. A. active at night

  3. 3. B. her refusal to give up

  4. 4. A. a very small amount

  5. 5. A. sociable and outgoing

  6. 6. A. a mapmaker

  7. 7. C. specialist words that most listeners did not understand

  8. 8. D. determination