Name:___________________________
Date: October ___, 2013
Homeroom:______________________
By the end of the lesson you will be able to
determine the meaning of an unknown word
using context clues.
How do I use context clues to determine the meaning of an unknown word?
Do Now Directions: Do Now Directions: Read the following excerpt and chunk for main idea. Then
answer the questions below.
No Way Out by Peggy Kern
Chunk
Harold Davis took a deep breath and slowly started to peel the gauze
from the wound on his grandmother’s leg. “Hold on, Grandma. I’m
almost done,” He said quietly. “Don’t worry, baby. It doesn’t hurt
too much,” she replied, wincing slightly. “Just take your time.”
Harold glanced up at his grandmother lying on the couch. He could
tell she was in pain from the way she gripped the cushions, but still
she managed to smile back at him (1).
What point of view is the above story written in? Underline the sentence that showed you!
a. 1st person
b. 3rd person objective
c. 3rd person limited
d. 2nd person
In my own words it is important to learn how to determine the meaning of unknown words
because…
Good readers try and determine the meaning of unknown words when they are reading. Instead of
reaching for a dictionary every time we encounter a word we don’t know we use strategies to
determine what it means. We will look for context clues, determine the part of speech, decide if the
word is positive or negative, and look at suffixes/prefixes. Then we determine the meaning. Let’s
practice!
I Do: “The room was full of her kin, such as her brother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and cousins.”
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
We Do: “He was wearing a burnoose, a scarf worn around the head.”
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
I Do: “She said the music would be cacophonous but it sounded beautiful to me.”
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
We Do: “Persistence is key in success; never giving up is the only way to get what you want.”
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:
Directions: In the next minute you are going to INDEPENDENTLY and SILENTLY determine what
Valiant means. Ready? Go!
“The valiant woman protected the castle when it was under attack.”
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
By the end of the lesson you will be able to type
up your R.A.F.T on the computer so it can be
edited.
1. Open a word document.
2. Click “File” and “Save As” . Type “LAST Name RAFT”
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
3. Save on the DESKTOP.
4.
5.
6.
7.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Type your RAFT making sure it is double spaced.
Save your document every ten minutes.
When Ms.Alwon says login to your email and email an attached copy to Kathryn.alwon@dc.gov
Click Attach in your email and find your document on the desktop.
Name:______________
Date:_________________________
Homeroom:____________________
Humanities
No Excuses!
If you need help:
Call -781-956-6209
Email- Kathryn.alwon@dc.gov
Homework: What point of view am I written in?
Directions: Read the following passages and determine the narrative perspective, then explain how you
were able to identify the point of view- if the passage is third person, explain which character’s thoughts are
revealed.
First-person: the narrator is the protagonist and we experience the story from their eyes
Second-person: the story is told directly to us using words like you and your
Third-person objective: the story is told from an outside narrator’s perspective and we don’t know anyone’s
thoughts or feelings
Third-person limited: the story is told from an outside narrator’s perspective and we know one character’s
thoughts or feelings
Third-person omniscient: the story is told from an outside narrator’s perspective and we don’t know anyone’s
thoughts or feelings
Holes by Louis Sachars
The next morning Mr. Sir marched the boys to another section of the lake, and each boy dug his own hole,
five feet deep and five feet wide. Stanley was glad to be away from the big hole. At least now he knew just
how much he had to dig for the day. And it was a relief not to have other shovels swinging past his face, or
the Warden hanging around (80).
Point of View:________________________________________________________________
How did you know? Explain.__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Ask a Ninja Presents: The Ninja Handbook by the International Order of Ninjas
Remember, any tool that you can use against an enemy may also be used against you. Therefore it is highly
recommended that you build a course with your clan to practice keeping your wits about you when
something is trying to set you off course. Ninjas train on special courses that really mess with their
perception of space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own mini gauntlet to increase your skills in
your own backyard (78).
Point of View:________________________________________________________________
How did you know? Explain.__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
TURN OVER  TURN OVER  TURN OVER 
Directions: Read the sentence to determine the meaning of the unknown word. Then circle the clues and fill in the
chart below.
1. Keith appeared infallible in math class because he had never gotten a problem wrong.
Using the explanation clue, the word infallible in this sentence means
A. never wrong
B. wrong
C. incorrect
D. correct
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
2. The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing.
Using the explanation clue, the word annihilated in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
destroyed
saved
created
helped
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?
3. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trashcan.
Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
alive
rotten
appealing
lovely
Unknown Word
Context Clues
Meaning
Check for
Understanding?