Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride (Priceman)
What a fun way to explore new vocabulary words! Marjorie Priceman's book Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride offers plenty of new words for scholars to learn in context: amateur, assembled, demonstration,...
Curated OER
Word Meaning from Context
Learners read very brief passages and answer multiple choice and short answer questions about words presented in the context of sentences. Four questions about the words edible, inedible, introvert, and trivial.
Curated OER
Word Roots CERN, JUR, and LEG Advanced True/False Quiz
An above-average vocabulary test: given a vocabulary word in the context of a sentence, pupils must decide, using their knowledge of the word's meaning along with context clues, if the word is used correctly or not. This worksheet...
Curated OER
Quick and Sticky Context Clues
Discuss strategies for defining word your young readers don't know. They read sentences with key words covered by sticky notes and guess from the context what the word might be. They peek at the first letter and guess again.
Curated OER
Self-Monitoring Strategies and Vocabulary Games
Middle and high schoolers identify how to discover a word's meaning by exploring context clues and any pictures, diagrams, photographs, and charts that might be included. They continue this process with other examples and locate one on...
Curated OER
Context Clues, Plot Structure, Conflict, and Personal Narrative Essay
What are the elements of a personal narrative? Get your class talking by reading "The Necklace" and "A Dangerous Game." The lesson focuses primarily on defining certain vocabulary terms (like context clues, plot, conflict, climax, etc.)...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: A Pocket for Corduroy (Freeman)
Who doesn't love this book? A Pocket for Corduroy provides excellent vocabulary practice in context for budding readers (although this strategy could be used with any text). Before reading it aloud, go over the new terms: affectionate,...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Kindergarten Count to 100 (Rogers)
Combine counting and vocabulary in context using Jacqueline Rogers' Kindergarten Count to 100. Suggested words for this text are: first, fountain, salute, second, and third. By introducing the terms before reading the text, you're...
Curated OER
Definitions by Context
Use this two-page resource either with your English language learners or your upper elementary native speakers. There are eight questions that test your learners' ability to use the context of a sentence to define an unknown word....
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner (Schwartz)
Give beginning readers a chance to practice with unknown words and context clues using the pictuer book Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner. Choose several vocabulary words to focus on as you read the picture book, or use the ones provided...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (Henkes)
Familiarize budding readers with new vocabulary in context as they listen you read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, which can be found on YouTube if you don't have in on hand. Recommended focus words here are:Â considerate, creative,...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Alexander, Who Use to be Rich Last Sunday (Viorst)
Although this vocabulary-in-context activity is focused on Judith Viorst's book Alexander, Who Use to Be Rich Last Sunday, the strategy can be applied to any book budding learners read with you. First, introduce the three new words you...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: A Picture Book of Helen Keller (Adler)
The story of Helen Keller is a fascinating one for young scholars; use it to practice reading comprehension and new vocabulary as learners listen to you read David Adler's picture book (hint: this strategy can be applied to any book)....
Curated OER
Word Roots 2: Fin, Sed, Fer Beginner True and False 1
Emphasize proper usage of vocabulary words with this online activity. Class members read each sentence and use context clues to determine if each word has been used correctly or incorrectly. The resource provides a word list and...
Curated OER
Word Roots 4: Grad, Mot, Cad Advanced True and False 3
Test your pupils' vocabulary skills with this somewhat unconventional activity. Using context clues and word roots, leaners must decide whether a word is used correctly in a sentence or if it is not. This is a true/false activity; if the...
Curated OER
Word Roots 5: NAT, TRACT, SEQU Intermediate Fill-in-the-Blanks
This is a straightforward vocabulary exercise in which learners fill in each blank in 12 sentences with a word from a word bank. The activity is somewhat unique because it connects word roots to the meaning of the words, giving learners...
Curated OER
Word Roots 4: Grad, Mot, Cad Beginner Fill-in-the-Blanks
Using context clues and learning root words are two great ways to improve vocabulary. This resource taps into both of those strategies, offering up 12 fill-in-the-blank sentences, a word bank, and information on Latin roots. You might go...
Curated OER
Context Clues
Learners review and discuss what context clues are and then read six sentences and paragraphs and circle the correct context clue for each one.
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Context Clues
Fifth graders use context clues to help them understand unknown words. In this context clues lesson, 5th graders practice identifying context clues on a worksheet, then work with a peer to write their own story. Stories are peer edited...
Curated OER
Using Context Clues
Middle schoolers receive a handout that lists the five types of context clues. The class divides up into groups of three or four, and each group chooses five unfamiliar words. They write a multiple-choice question for each of their five...
Curated OER
Mystery Words
In this language arts lesson, 8th graders verify the meaning of a word in its context, even when its meaning is not directly stated. After a class discussion on how to use context clues, students pairs are given a worksheet of "mystery...
Curated OER
Word Meanings From Context Volume 5, Number 32
Learners determine the meanings of seven words from context clues in sentences. They then use the words in a crossword puzzle that uses synonyms for clues.
Prestwick House
Vocabulary in Context: Inside the World of Wizards
Enter the world of Harry Potter and learn new vocabulary at the same time. A high-interest reading passage provides insight into the history of Harry Potter. Follow-up activities incorporate key vocabulary strategies, such as using...
Brigham Young University
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead: Word Squares
Encourage your class to use a variety of strategies to learn and retain vocabulary words. The plan suggests that near the beginning of your reading of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead pupils should find words in the text that are...