• 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? We had to postpone the match because of the storm, so we will play next week. (postpone) (cancel forever / win easily / put off until later / watch on TV) → put off until laterPrompt: 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? Lena was ambivalent about moving: excited by the new school but sad to leave her friends. (ambivalent) (having mixed feelings / uninterested / totally angry / completely sure) → having mixed feelingsPrompt: 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? After the long hike, Jo was weary and wanted to lie down. (weary) (lost / excited / tired / lucky) → tiredPrompt: 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: Context clues: definitions and restatements. Read the success criteria together.

• 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.

• 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. The sand dunes are ARID, meaning they get almost no rain. (very hot / very high / very dry / very windy) → very dryPrompt: 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? A CONIFER is a tree that produces cones and usually keeps its needles all year. (A CONIFER is / usually / all year / a tree that produces cones and usually keeps its needles all year) → a tree that produces cones and usually keeps its needles all yearPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

• 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.

• 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 / Mia is / in other words, she loves being with people / she loves) → 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 town built a LEVEE, a high wall of earth, to keep the river from flooding the streets. (a deep ditch / a type of boat / a wall of earth that holds back water / a bridge) → a wall of earth that holds back waterPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-6.