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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? Dad was furious when the window was smashed; his face went red and he shouted. (furious) (very proud / very angry / very sad / very calm) → very angryPrompt: 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? Despite the ominous dark clouds, the picnic stayed dry. (ominous) (fluffy / beautiful / threatening / harmless) → threateningPrompt: 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 room was so dim that we could hardly see. (dim) (not clean / not bright / not warm / not quiet) → not brightPrompt: 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. Our cat is quite DOCILE (calm and easy to handle), so the vet likes her. (calm and gentle / sleepy / very old / wild and fierce) → calm and gentlePrompt: 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 speech was full of JARGON, specialist words that most listeners did not understand. (most listeners / specialist words that most listeners did not understand / full of / The speech was) → specialist words that most listeners did not understandPrompt: 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. 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. (brief and abrupt / warm and friendly / loud / long and detailed) → 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 athlete's TENACITY — her refusal to give up — won her the race. (won her / The athlete's / the race / her refusal to give up) → her refusal to give upPrompt: 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. Koalas are
    • B. plants
    • C. only
    • D. (animals that eat only plants)

  2. Question 2

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The council plans to RENOVATE the old library by repairing and updating it.

    • A. repair and modernise
    • B. close permanently
    • C. move elsewhere
    • D. knock down

  3. Question 3

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

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

  5. Question 5

    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.

    • A. in other words, she loves being with people
    • B. Mia is
    • C. she loves
    • D. being with

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

  7. Question 7

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

  8. Question 8

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The plant is DORMANT, or inactive, during the cold winter months.

    • A. inactive, resting
    • B. dead
    • C. blooming
    • D. growing quickly

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Answer key: Context clues: definitions and restatements

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

  2. 2. A. repair and modernise

  3. 3. B. specialist words that most listeners did not understand

  4. 4. B. a very small amount

  5. 5. A. in other words, she loves being with people

  6. 6. B. a heavy downpour

  7. 7. C. a high bank of earth

  8. 8. A. inactive, resting