• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Context clues: definitions and restatements). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. 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 wall of earth that holds back water / a bridge / a type of boat) → 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'.
2. Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? Owls are NOCTURNAL, which means they are awake and hunting at night. (hunting / Owls are / at night only / which means they are awake and hunting at night) → which means they are awake and hunting at nightPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.
3. Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The museum displays ARTEFACTS — objects made by people long ago. (ancient buildings / objects made by people in the past / old paintings only / fossils of animals) → objects made by people in the pastPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Context clues: contrasts and examples. 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 contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The old phone was OBSOLETE, but the new model had all the latest features.
• Step 1: Contrast clues show a word is the opposite of something nearby; example clues show what kind of thing it is.
• Step 2: So the answer is: out of date, no longer used
• Answer: out of date, no longer used
• 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 kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Although the hike was ARDUOUS, the view made it worthwhile. (definition / contrast / example) → contrastPrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.
2. Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Instead of being AMIABLE, the shopkeeper frowned and snapped at us. (busy / tired / angry / friendly and pleasant) → friendly and pleasantPrompt: Look for contrast words (unlike, although, but, whereas, instead of) or example words (such as, like, including).

• 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. Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The beach was PRISTINE in the morning; by evening, litter covered the sand. (rocky / perfectly clean and untouched / stormy / crowded) → perfectly clean and untouchedPrompt: Look for contrast words (unlike, although, but, whereas, instead of) or example words (such as, like, including).
2. What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Although the hike was ARDUOUS, the view made it worthwhile. (definition / contrast / example) → contrastPrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.

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