Finding Context Clues
What are they? Why do they
matter?
Anticipatory Set
• What is one way to find the definition
of a word?
• What do we do if there is no dictionary
or glossary? What is something we
could do next?
• We should look for context clues.
Standards
• L 6.4: Determine or clarify the
meaning of unknown and
multiple-meaning words and
phrases based on grade 6 reading
and content, choosing flexibly
from a range of strategies.
– Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of
a sentence or paragraph; a word’s
position or function in a sentence) as a
clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Objectives
• Using the article and their
glossary, you will determine/
clarify the meaning of
unknown words.
• You will analyze the text, and
apply these words into new
sentences.
Language of the Discipline
(Input)
• Context clues are information that
appear near a word or phrase, in
context, and gives direct or indirect
suggestions about the new meaning.
• Often, writers include words or phrases
to help the reader understand what
the new word means.
Types of Context Clues
(Input)
• Synonyms, Restatements, Definitions
– Synonyms are words or phrases that are
nearly the same.
– Ex: Mr. Mireles had a tedious, or busy
schedule.
– This can also be an example of a
restatement.
– We see definitions all the time in our
informational texts.
Types of Context Clues
(Input)
• Antonyms or Contrasts
– Antonyms are the exact opposite of the
word.
– Ex: Unlike Mr. Chapel who was eloquent,
Mr. Mireles had trouble with public
speaking.
– This is also an example of a contrast.
– Using this example we can see that being
eloquent is having the ability to speak well
in public.
Words with Multiple Meanings
(Input)
• Some words have multiple meanings.
• We have seen this in our Reading
Informational assessments.
• We are able to easily determine the
meaning through the use of context
clues.
• Think about how we looked at words
with different meanings like harmony
and tools.
Modeling
• How do we find the meaning of words
using context clues?
• Let’s go ahead and look at the steps
to find the meaning for the word
“buoy”.
• Open up the file titled “Frayer Model”
in Google Classroom.
Frayer Model (Modeling)
Your definition from Context
Clues
A floatation device used
to measure things.
Key words: ships, floating,
ocean
Definition found from
glossary
An anchored float serving as a
navigation mark, to show reefs
and other hazards, or for
mooring.
Word
Buoy
Illustration of the word
Word in a sentence
In order to help fishermen, we
place buoys which float and
show us where hazardous areas
are located.
Checking for Understanding
1. Using your whiteboard, create a Frayer
model for the word vortex.
2. Use context clues to determine what the
word means. Write the context clues
down in the upper left square.
3. Next, use your glossary to find the
definition of the word
4. Sketch or illustrate a simple drawing to
help you remember the meaning
5. Finally, create a new sentence using
vortex.
Guided and Independent Practice
• GP: Using the article, create another
chart for one word.
• Make sure to highlight the context clues and show
me which key words support your meaning.
• When you are finished, see me. If you receive a star,
you can continue to Independent Practice.
• IP: Using the article, create a chart for
three more words, highlighting the
context clues.