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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? After the long hike, Jo was weary and wanted to lie down. (weary) (lost / tired / lucky / excited) → tiredPrompt: 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? The mayor's speech was laconic: just two sentences long. (laconic) (full of jokes / very rude / extremely long / using few words) → using few wordsPrompt: 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 puppy was so famished that it ate two bowls of food in a minute. (famished) (very sleepy / very small / very dirty / very hungry) → very hungryPrompt: 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. The hikers were FAMISHED — extremely hungry — after the six-hour climb. (very tired / extremely hungry / completely lost / very cheerful) → extremely hungryPrompt: 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? Leo felt LETHARGIC, that is, sluggish and short of energy, after the flu. (the flu / after the flu / that is, sluggish and short of energy / Leo felt) → that is, sluggish and short of energyPrompt: 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. 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 high bank of earth / the river / The town built / to hold back) → a high bank of earthPrompt: 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. Leo felt APPREHENSIVE, that is, worried about what might happen, before his first match. (excited and happy / worried about the future / bored / angry) → worried about the futurePrompt: 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 baby was SOMNOLENT, or drowsy, after her bottle.

    • A. her bottle
    • B. after her bottle
    • C. The baby was
    • D. or drowsy

  2. Question 2

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The room was filled with CACOPHONY, a harsh mix of clashing noises.

    • A. sweet music
    • B. harsh, unpleasant noise
    • C. bright light
    • D. silence

  3. Question 3

    Which part of the sentence is the context clue that explains the word in capitals? Koalas are HERBIVORES (animals that eat only plants).

    • A. plants
    • B. only
    • C. Koalas are
    • D. (animals that eat only plants)

  4. Question 4

    Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The museum displays ARTEFACTS — objects made by people long ago.

    • A. fossils of animals
    • B. objects made by people in the past
    • C. old paintings only
    • D. ancient buildings

  5. Question 5

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

  6. Question 6

    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. growing quickly
    • C. blooming
    • D. dead

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

  8. Question 8

    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.

    • A. long and detailed
    • B. warm and friendly
    • C. brief and abrupt
    • D. loud

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Answer key: Context clues: definitions and restatements

  1. 1. D. or drowsy

  2. 2. B. harsh, unpleasant noise

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

  4. 4. B. objects made by people in the past

  5. 5. B. her refusal to give up

  6. 6. A. inactive, resting

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

  8. 8. C. brief and abrupt