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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 minutes

Context clues: contrasts and examples

Vocabulary

CCSS L.6.4.AEngland: KS3 Reading (vocabulary in context)England: 11+ English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Context clues: contrasts and examples.

  • 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: Context clues: definitions and restatements

Leads to: Context clues: working out meaning from the whole passage

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 (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. Our cat is quite DOCILE (calm and easy to handle), so the vet likes her. (calm and gentle / very old / sleepy / 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? Leo felt LETHARGIC, that is, sluggish and short of energy, after the flu. (after the flu / the flu / Leo felt / that is, sluggish and short of energy) → that is, sluggish and short of energyPrompt: 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. Bats are NOCTURNAL, which means they are active at night. (afraid of light / able to fly / very small / active at night) → active at nightPrompt: Look for a clue right next to the word: commas, dashes, brackets, 'or', 'that is', 'which means'.

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: contrasts and examples. 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 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.

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. What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Mammals like whales, bats and humans feed their young on milk. (definition / contrast / example) → examplePrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.
  2. 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 / crowded / stormy / perfectly clean and untouched) → perfectly clean and untouchedPrompt: Look for contrast words (unlike, although, but, whereas, instead of) or example words (such as, like, including).

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. What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Mammals like whales, bats and humans feed their young on milk. (definition / contrast / example) → examplePrompt: 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. (friendly and pleasant / tired / angry / busy) → friendly and pleasantPrompt: Look for contrast words (unlike, although, but, whereas, instead of) or example words (such as, like, including).

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: Context clues: definitions and restatements.
  • 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: working out meaning from the whole passage.
  • 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: contrasts and examples

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 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.

    • A. definition
    • B. contrast
    • C. example

  2. Question 2

    Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. While the path through the woods was SERPENTINE, the road was perfectly straight.

    • A. winding, twisting
    • B. narrow
    • C. dangerous
    • D. muddy

  3. Question 3

    What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Bats are NOCTURNAL, which means they are active at night.

    • A. definition
    • B. contrast
    • C. example

  4. Question 4

    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.

    • A. busy
    • B. friendly and pleasant
    • C. tired
    • D. angry

  5. Question 5

    What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Some reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, are CARNIVOROUS.

    • A. definition
    • B. contrast
    • C. example

  6. Question 6

    Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Although the first test was ARDUOUS, the second one felt easy.

    • A. very difficult
    • B. very short
    • C. unfair
    • D. enjoyable

  7. Question 7

    What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? The cave was DANK — cold, damp and unpleasant.

    • A. definition
    • B. contrast
    • C. example

  8. Question 8

    Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Sam's first answer was VAGUE, but his second was clear and detailed.

    • A. long
    • B. unclear, not specific
    • C. correct
    • D. rude

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Answer key: Context clues: contrasts and examples

  1. 1. B. contrast

  2. 2. A. winding, twisting

  3. 3. A. definition

  4. 4. B. friendly and pleasant

  5. 5. C. example

  6. 6. A. very difficult

  7. 7. A. definition

  8. 8. B. unclear, not specific