Context Clues

By: Ms. StraitDay 1

Question

• Have you ever read a book, came to a word, and didn’t know what it meant?

Our Goals

• 4-3.1 Generate the meaning of unfamiliar and multiple-meaning words by using context clues (for example, those that provide an example or a definition).

• In this lesson, you will learn how to understand the meaning of new vocabulary by looking for clues around the word.

What are context clues?

• Context clues are hints that the author gives to help define a word you don’t know. The clue may appear in the same sentence as the word you don’t know or in a nearby sentence.

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

Antonyms

Explanations

Synonyms

Examples

Affixes

Find the best key for the job

What are antonyms ?

Antonym: A word or group of words that has an opposite meaning.

(small vs. large or nice vs. mean)

Ex.: I despise liver, but I adore steak.

What are antonyms ?

Antonym: A word or group of words that has an opposite meaning.

Ex.: I despise liver, but I adore steak.

Two opposites

What are antonyms ?

Antonym: A word or group of words that has an opposite meaning.

Ex.: Mary’s cat looks tame when sleeping, but wild when awake.

What are antonyms ?

Antonym: A word or group of words that has an opposite meaning.

Ex.: Mary’s cat looks tame when sleeping, but wild when awake.

Two opposites

What are synonyms ?

Synonym: A word or group of words that has the same meaning as the unknown word.

Ex.: Reducing cholesterol has a number of beneficial results. One positive outcome is reducing the risk of heart disease.

What are synonyms ?

Synonym: A word or group of words that has the same meaning as the unknown word.

Ex.: When he hurled the ball across the field, I said, “I didn’t know you could throw like that!”

~Jackie Robinson~He was the first African-American to play major league baseball. (1972)

Let’s Practiceo Jerry is very clumsy, but his sister is adroit.

o Unlike his quiet and low key family, Mark is garrulous.

o After seeing the picture of the starving children, we felt compassion or pity for their suffering.

o Mary admonished her students and they knew they were in hot water for their actions.

o http://www.quia.com/rr/151544.html

Let’s Read Ryan’s DiaryYour friend Ryan has moved to a new country and is learning a new language. Read

what he wrote in his diary and see if you can figure out the meaning to the underlined words.

Dear Diary,

I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poof-poofs very quickly, and I almost missed the tramzam. When I got to school, I realized I had forgotten my zilgping . Luckily, Ms. Jutzi is very zoosh, and told me I could bring it tomorrow.

After school, some friends and I played plingming. It’s a new game I am learning. We scored 7 points and they only scored 5 points, so we were the zoiters!

Dad says that next weekend we’re going to the fladder . I can’t wait! I love to swim and play in the sand. I hope I don’t get a sunburn though.

Well, I better go to bed soon. I don’t want to wake up late again and miss my tramzam!

Until tomorrow,Ryan

Review

o Antonym: A word or group of words that has an opposite meaning of the unknown word.

oSynonym: A word or group of words that has the same meaning as the unknown word.

Ticket Out the Door

o What is the purpose of knowing the meanings of antonyms and synonyms? How do they help with context clues?

Bonus

• Example: Ms. Strait will disseminate treats to students that brought their signed slip.

Bonus

• Example: Ms. Strait will disseminate treats to students that brought their signed slip.

• Use substitution: give, pass out

Context Clues

Ms. StraitDay 2

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

Antonyms

Explanations

Synonyms

Examples

Affixes

Explanations (Direct Definition)Explanations, in sentences, show that the unknown word is explained within the sentence. These are words that say, “Stop - don’t touch that dictionary. The definition of the word you don’t know is right here in the text!”

• Example: The tintinnabulation, ringing of the bells, let the townspeople know the wedding was over.

• Answer: The tintinnabulation, ringing of the bells, let the townspeople know the wedding was over.

Examples of Explanations

• After a time, glaciers, or slowly moving rivers of ice, formed over many parts of the Earth.

Examples of Explanations

• After a time, glaciers, or slowly moving rivers of ice, formed over many parts of the Earth.

Using Examples

• Sometimes, writers use words like: “such as”, “for instance”, and “for example” indicate examples.

• Ex.: The emergency room doctors see patients with trauma, such as a broken bone, every night.

Using Examples

• Sometimes, writers use words like: “such as”, “for instance”, and “for example” indicate examples.

• Ex.: The emergency room doctors see patients with trauma, such as a broken bone, every night.

Let’s Practice

o A biographer, or one who writes about people’s lives, is an example of an author.

o Our new puppy was so rambunctious; all she wanted to do was run in circles around the house.

o The plan to rebuild the tower was feasible, and everyone thought it was workable.

Can you flow with Detective Flo?

• http://www.flocabulary.com/context-clues/

Review

o Antonym: A word or group of words that has an opposite meaning of the unknown word.

oSynonym: A word or group of words that has the same meaning as the unknown word.oExplanation: The word is explained in the sentence.oExample: The word is surrounded with examples.