Encountering Unfamiliar Words

Tips on understanding new vocabulary.

Hints About Meanings of New Words

Sometimes when you read you have to be a word detective.

When you come to a new word in your reading the first thing you should do is decide whether you have to know the word in order to get the meaning of the paragraph.

-If you can understand the meaning of the story or article without knowing a certain word, it’s okay to skip over that word and keep reading.

Read more at Suite101: Context Clues Lesson Plan: Word Detectives Unlocking Word Meaning | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/context-clues-lesson-plan-a88326#ixzz26OnkRqAB

Hints About Meanings of New Words

To find the meaning of new words by themselves use context clues.

-Context clues are hints that help readers discover the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Read more at Suite101: Context Clues Lesson Plan: Word Detectives Unlocking Word Meaning | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/context-clues-lesson-plan-a88326#ixzz26OnkRqAB

Different Kinds of Context Clues

Context clues are words that come before or after the new word and that there are several different kinds of context clues.

Definition

Synonym

Antonym

Example

Explanation

Different Kinds of Context Clues

Context clues are words that come before or after the new word and that there are several different kinds of context clues.

Definition=

Synonym=

Antonym=

Example=

Explanation=

A statement of the word’s meaning.

A word having the same or nearly the same meaning.

A word having the opposite meaning.

Represents the word.

A statement made to clarify word.

Identify the meaning of each new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

1. The joey, which is a baby kangaroo, peeked out of his mother's pocket.

2. The beach was covered with debris like paper and cans, and the children picked up all the trash.

3. The ancient dress looked like new after she washed it.

4. Every day he brought a delectable, delicious, wonderful, yummy lunch to school.

5. My mother used to pull across the bay to catch flounder. Pull is a word that is sometimes used to mean row.

Identify the meaning of the new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

1. The joey, which is a baby kangaroo, peeked out of his mother's pocket.

Is this sentence using a/an:

ExampleSynonymAntonymDefinition

Explanation

Identify the meaning of the new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

2. The beach was covered with debris like paper and cans, and the children picked up all the trash.

Is this sentence using a/an:

ExampleSynonymAntonymDefinition

Explanation

Identify the meaning of the new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

3. The ancient dress looked like new after she washed it.

Is this sentence using a/an:

ExampleSynonymAntonymDefinition

Explanation

Identify the meaning of the new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

4. Every day he brought a delectable, delicious, wonderful, yummy lunch to school.

Is this sentence using a/an:

ExampleSynonymAntonymDefinition

Explanation

Identify the meaning of the new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

5. My mother used to pull across the bay to catch flounder. Pull is a word that is sometimes used to mean row.

Is this sentence using a/an:

ExampleSynonymAntonymDefinition

Explanation

Identify the meaning of each new word and tell which kind of context clue the

author used to unlock the word’s meaning

1. The joey, which is a baby kangaroo, peeked out of his mother's pocket. (definition)

2. The beach was covered with debris like paper and cans, and the children picked up all the trash. (synonym)

3. The ancient dress looked like new after she washed it. (antonym)

4. Every day he brought a delectable, delicious, wonderful, yummy lunch to school. (example)

5. My mother used to pull across the bay to catch flounder. Pull is a word that is sometimes used to mean row. (explanation)

When readers have to stop reading to ask the teacher for word meaning or use the dictionary, the flow of reading comprehension is interrupted and sometimes lost. When you learn to skip over words that are not important and to figure out words on their own using context clues, you are better able to comprehend what you are reading.

In the early 1600s, a dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean was a daunting idea. The Europeans, who would someday be known as the Pilgrims, must have been a very determined and brave group of settlers.

A daunting task is one that would _______ someone.

a. dangerousb. daringc. sneakyd. frighten or intimidate

It is difficult to sustain a smile when your whole world is falling apart.

What does sustain mean?

a. make something

b. maintain something

c. draw

d. lose

Time to Practice!