Context Clues

Young learners develop a deeper understanding of target vocabulary. In pairs, pupils independently complete a series of word clue cards, asking them to find information about key terms, including their definitions, synonyms, antonyms,...

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....

A dictionary is not the only way to figure out the meaning of new words. Readers also can look for familiar word parts. These word parts might appear in other words that readers already know. By looking for familiar word parts, including...

In this PDF comparison/contrast instructional activity, students learn a word splash writing activity which asks students to craft meaningful sentences that utilize content vocabulary words. Students-alone or in groups-examine a...

By focusing on an oil-related theme, learners answer questions using context clues. They assign meaning to each highlighted modal in an example sentence from a word bank of choices. (Examples of meaning choices include impossibility...

Test your scholars' knowledge of commonly confused words with this grammar learning exercise. With multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank options, this ten question activity is certain to express your learners' understanding. 

Following extensive modeling about how to apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to learn new words, partner teams create brief word presentations to teach new vocabulary to the class. Preselect words from upcoming social studies,...

Use the Visual Thesaurus to predict the subject matter of Rick Riordan's book The Lightning Thief. A pre-reading activity encourages middle schoolers to use context clues and word meaning to discover what the book is about. After...

Study the importance of word choice in informational text. Middle and high schoolers locate unfamiliar words and phrases in newspaper articles of their choosing, and use online word sites to explore the definitions and histories of each....

Sentences made up of one word? Yes. Introduce kids to lexical ambiguity with a short video that shows how complete, grammatically correct sentences can be composed of one word used each time as a different part of speech.