Context Clues

How do we figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words?

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3

reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.4.A

Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phraseCreated by: Patrick Bauch

Do Now: What does the word torix mean in this paragraph?

Your torix is made up of many bones. There are 206 bones in your torix. These bones make your shape. Because you have a torix inside of you nothing can change your shape. Without a torix your body would be shapeless.

Torix means____________________

What is the object being described?

What is the object being described?

What is the object being described?

● tail● furry● paws● bark

So, what are context clues?

● Context clues are things (usually words) around a word you don’t know that help you figure out its meaning.

● Context clues can be: synonyms, antonyms, examples, and even pictures!

● Context Clues Song www.flocabulary.com/context-clues/

Key or Clue Wordscalledis/are/was/werelikeinclude/includingsuch asknown asmeaning/or

Context Clues: Explanations

1. Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket.

Using the example clue, the word projectiles in this sentence means1. things put down2. things shot forward3. things hurt4. things broken

Context Clues: SynonymsThe book of logic contained many conundrums - mind-exercising puzzles.

Using the synonym clue, the word conundrums in this sentence means

1. pictures2. stories3. answers4. puzzles

Context Clues: ExamplesKatie appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem wrong.

Using the explanation clue, the word infallible in this sentence means1. never wrong2. mistaken3. wrong4. incorrect

Context Clues: Antonyms (opposites)

Although Tom was anxious about the test, Tina was not worried at all.

Using the antonym clue, the word anxious in this sentence means1. forgetful2. worried3. calm4. not worried

Independent PracticeCircle the clue word in each of the following sentences. Underline the two words or phrases that have a similar meaning. Number one is done for you!

1. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun.

Extra PracticeWhat does the word rutat mean in this paragraph? A rutat is a simple drawing of part or all of the earth. Most rutats are flat. Rutats show only the important details such as names of places. The rutat key explains what the rutat symbols mean. For example, a black dot may stand for a city.

A rutar is a__________________

Extra Practice 2What does the word morp mean in this paragraph?

What is today’s morp like? Is it hot, rainy, or sunny? It can be fun to make a morp chart. Record the high and low temperatures for each day of the week. Listen or watch a morp report on television or radio to get the prediction for tomorrow’s morp!

Morp is the________________________

Extra Practice 3What does the word feens mean in this paragraph? John James painted many pictures of feens. He studied feens while they flew, in their nests, perched in trees, and on the ground. His artwork has been praised for how life-like his paintings of feens are. You almost expect to hear the feens chirp!

Feens are most likely________________________