• 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 water was so murky that we couldn't see the fish. (murky) (very deep / freezing cold / crystal clear / cloudy and dark) → cloudy and darkPrompt: 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 / completely sure / totally angry) → 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? Dad was furious when the window was smashed; his face went red and he shouted. (furious) (very proud / very calm / very angry / very sad) → very angryPrompt: 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 plant is DORMANT, or inactive, during the cold winter months. (inactive, resting / blooming / dead / growing quickly) → inactive, restingPrompt: 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. (The speech was / specialist words that most listeners did not understand / most listeners / full of) → 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'.

• 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 context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Koalas are HERBIVORES, animals that eat only plants. (animals that sleep in trees / meat-eating animals / animals with pouches / plant-eating animals) → plant-eating animalsPrompt: 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 town built a LEVEE — a high bank of earth — to hold back the river. (The town built / a high bank of earth / to hold back / the river) → a high bank of earthPrompt: 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.