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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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? The timid kitten hid behind the sofa when visitors came. (timid) (playful / hungry / shy and nervous / fierce) → shy and nervousPrompt: 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) (threatening / fluffy / beautiful / 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 water was so murky that we couldn't see the fish. (murky) (cloudy and dark / very deep / crystal clear / freezing cold) → cloudy and darkPrompt: Look at the other words in the sentence. What do they tell you?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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 tour guide / a pilot / a photographer / a mapmaker) → 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? Mia is GREGARIOUS; in other words, she loves being with people. (she loves / being with / in other words, she loves being with people / Mia is) → 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'.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 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. Our cat is quite DOCILE (calm and easy to handle), so the vet likes her. (sleepy / calm and gentle / 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? Mia is GREGARIOUS; in other words, she loves being with people. (in other words, she loves being with people / Mia is / she loves / being with) → 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'.

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? The athlete's TENACITY — her refusal to give up — won her the race.

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

  2. Question 2

    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.

    • A. wild and fierce
    • B. calm and gentle
    • C. very old
    • D. sleepy

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

  4. Question 4

    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. able to fly
    • C. very small
    • D. afraid of light

  5. Question 5

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? Leo felt LETHARGIC, that is, sluggish and short of energy, after the flu.

    • A. that is, sluggish and short of energy
    • B. Leo felt
    • C. the flu
    • D. after the flu

  6. Question 6

    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. a thin tube for moving small amounts of liquid
    • B. a measuring jug
    • C. a microscope
    • D. a type of chemical

  7. Question 7

    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. a tree that produces cones and usually keeps its needles all year
    • B. all year
    • C. usually
    • D. A CONIFER is

  8. Question 8

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

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Answer key: Context clues: definitions and restatements

  1. 1. B. her refusal to give up

  2. 2. B. calm and gentle

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

  4. 4. A. active at night

  5. 5. A. that is, sluggish and short of energy

  6. 6. A. a thin tube for moving small amounts of liquid

  7. 7. A. a tree that produces cones and usually keeps its needles all year

  8. 8. B. a heavy downpour