• 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 puppy was so famished that it ate two bowls of food in a minute. (famished) (very small / very hungry / very sleepy / very dirty) → very hungryPrompt: 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? Unlike her gregarious brother, who loved parties, Ana preferred to spend time alone. (gregarious) (sociable / honest / shy / clumsy) → sociablePrompt: 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 angry / very sad / very calm / very proud) → 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: definition, example or opposite. 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 clues in the sentence. Unlike his talkative sister, Raj was reticent and hardly said a word. What does "reticent" mean?
• Step 1: Writers often give a definition, an example or an opposite near a hard word.
• Step 2: So the answer is: quiet, not saying much
• Answer: quiet, not saying much
• 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 clues in the sentence. Unlike his talkative sister, Raj was reticent and hardly said a word. What does "reticent" mean? (always late / quiet, not saying much / very tall / very loud) → quiet, not saying muchPrompt: Look for words like 'which means', 'or', 'such as', 'unlike' and 'but'.
2. Insects, for example ants, bees and beetles, were crawling everywhere. What kind of clue helps you understand "insects"? (definition clue / example clue / opposite (contrast) clue) → example cluePrompt: Definition clues use 'which means', 'or', 'is'. Example clues use 'such as', 'like', 'for example'.

• 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. Precipitation, which means water falling from the clouds, was heavy all week. What kind of clue helps you understand "precipitation"? (definition clue / example clue / opposite (contrast) clue) → definition cluePrompt: Definition clues use 'which means', 'or', 'is'. Example clues use 'such as', 'like', 'for example'.
2. Use the clues in the sentence. Herbivores, such as cows, rabbits and deer, eat only plants. What does "herbivore" mean? (an animal that eats meat / an animal that eats only plants / a kind of plant / a farm worker) → an animal that eats only plantsPrompt: Look for words like 'which means', 'or', 'such as', 'unlike' and 'but'.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.