Context Clues 3/28/24

15

TEKS: ELA.4.3B Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.

LO: SWBAT use context clues to determine
the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words.

DOL: Given an informational text, SW
correctly use context clues to determine the
relevant meaning of unfamiliar words in at
least 4 of 5 questions.

Multiple Choice

Today's learning objective is....

El objetivo de aprendizaje de hoy es...

• SWBAT make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.

  
  

• SWBAT explain the author’s purpose and message within a literary nonfiction text.

  
  

• SWBAT use context clues to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words.

  
  

• SWBAT identify the subject and predicate in each sentence.

9

Sketch and Definition (in
your own words)

Word used in your own

sentence

Examples

Non-Examples

10

_____

_____

Word: _____

_____

_____

b
i
n
g
o

11

bill

pool

nail

season

FREE

mold

earn

row

bank

mine

pupil

What is the meaning of the MM word in the sentences?

12

v
o
c
a
b
-
d
o
m
i
n
o

What is the meaning of the WORDs in the sentences?

Be careful not to
tear the delicate
pages when
flipping through
the old book.

Sports

equipment

In the cricket
match, the player
defended the
wicket using a bat,
trying to score
runs for the team.

Drop of saline

fluid

She wiped away
a tear from her
eye after
watching the
emotional movie
scene.

To stumble or

fall

14

Do Now

[insert]

16

Authors often include hints, or ____, to help

the reader understand ____________

words. These hints are found in words (e.g.,

______, _______), word parts (e.g.,

_____ and ____), phrases (e.g.,

_______, _______), and sentence

structure.

Guided
Notes
Why do we use CONTEXT CLUES to determine meaning

of words or phrases?

clues

unfamiliar and

multiple-meaning (MM)

antonyms

synonyms

affixes

roots

definitions

examples

clues

unfamiliar and MM

antonyms

synonyms

affixes

roots

definitions

examples

File Clues by Chunk Icons from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

1717

MULTIPLE-MEANING (MM) words are

words that ______ and/or

___ __ like other words but

have completely ________

________.
Guided
Notes

What are MULTIPLE-MEANING Words?

look

sound

meanings

different

multiple by Supanut Piyakanont from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

look

sound

meanings

different

MULTIPLE-MEANING (MM) words
require _____ to use the
_______ around the ___
to determine ___ the word
should be ______.
Guided
Notes

How do we Know the MM Word Meaning?

readers

context clues

word

how

interpreted

readers

context clues

word

how

interpreted

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Definitions

Examples

Word Parts

Antonyms

Synonyms

Inferences

Authors help readers with CONTEXT CLUES to determine

the meaning of unfamiliar and MM words!

Readers can become WORD

DETECTIVES!

Detective by Amethyst Studio from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

Detective by Amethyst Studio from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

Gather your TOOLS and join me!

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Definitions

Examples
Word
Parts
Antonyms

Synonyms

Inferences

The meaning of
the unknown word
is explained in the

sentence.

tool kit by Graphixs_Art from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

tools by Nithinan Tatah from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)

Examples are
provided to help

readers

understand the
meaning of the
unknown word.

Readers use
word parts as

context clues by
breaking down
unfamiliar words

into familiar
components.

A word with a
similar meaning
is used to help
understand the
unknown word.

A word with an

opposite

meaning is used

to clarify the
meaning of the
unknown word.

Readers make
an educated

guess based on
clues in the text.

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W
Word Parts

E
Examples

S
Synonyms

A
Antonyms

I
Inferences

D
Definitions
The peak, or mountain, was covered in snow all year long.

Mary was very elated. She was happy because she got an
A+ on her test.

The old, dilapidated house was in stark contrast to the
new, modern one next door.

The detective concluded from the muddy footprints that
someone had entered the house.

The zoo is home to various exotic animals, such as lions,
tigers, and elephants.

The young scientist used a microscope to examine the
minuscule organisms in the pond water.

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The farmer led the
horses into the stable
after their long day of
work on the farm.

stable: building where farm animals

are kept

The table was wobbly,
but after tightening the
screws, it became
stable.

stable: firm, steady

What is the meaning of stable in the sentences?

23

The injured skier was in
stable condition after
treatment for his broken
leg.

stable:_________________

The engineer worked hard
to stable the bridge,
ensuring it could withstand
heavy loads.

stable:_________________to maintain the stability

not in critical condition

What is the meaning of stable in the sentences?

24

❏

Reread the sentence that contains the
word. Be on the lookout for signal
words or punctuation.

❏

Reread the sentence before and after
the sentence that contains the word.

❏

Based on the clues, try to figure out the
meaning of the word.

❏

Insert your meaning in the original
sentence to see whether it makes
sense.

“Context Clues” Anchor Chart from HMH Into Reading! Texas with permission © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

As SIMPLE As… 1, 2, 3, and 4

🚩

25

W
Word Parts

E
Examples

S
Synonyms

A
Antonyms

I
Inferences

D
Definitions

Let’s LOOK into 🚩

signal words or punctuation!

is, are, is called, means, or, in other words, commas [, ____,]

such as, for example, for instance, like, including

also, as, like, same, similarly, too

but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, though, unlike

26

❏

Reread the sentence that
contains the word. Be on the
lookout for 🚩

signal words or

punctuation.

❏

Reread the sentence before and
after the sentence that contains
the word.

❏

Based on the clues, try to figure
out the meaning of the word.

❏

Insert your meaning in the original
sentence to see whether it makes
sense.

As SIMPLE As… 1, 2, 3, and 4

In the bustling market, Michael discovered an intriguing
antique shop filled with artifacts from different eras,
ranging from ancient pottery to vintage clothing. While
browsing, he found a quaint contraption labeled as a
"typewriter." Unfamiliar with this outdated technology,
Michael read an informational plaque, learning that a
typewriter was a writing machine used before
computers. Users pressed keys to imprint letters onto
paper. Fascinated by the ingenuity of the past, Michael
continued exploring the eclectic shop.

✔

✔
✔

What is the meaning of typewriter in this paragraph?

The meaning of typewriter in this paragraph is…

a machine for writing.

✔

27

❏

Reread the sentence that
contains the word. Be on the
lookout for 🚩

signal words or

punctuation.

❏

Reread the sentence before and
after the sentence that contains
the word.

❏

Based on the clues, try to figure
out the meaning of the word.

❏

Insert your meaning in the
original sentence to see whether
it makes sense.

As SIMPLE As… 1, 2, 3, and 4

Today in science class, we learned about telescopes.
They're special tools that help astronomers explore
outer space by making faraway objects appear closer
and clearer. Just like a magnifying glass, they collect
and focus light from distant stars and planets. With
telescopes, scientists study the moon's craters,
discover new stars, and observe distant galaxies
millions of light-years away. Imagine exploring the night
sky with one!

What is the meaning of telescopes in this paragraph?

The meaning of telescopes in this paragraph is…

a tool used for observing objects in space.

28

Image by Sara from Pixabay

padlock by b
farias from
Noun Project
(CC BY 3.0)

open lock by
SAM Designs
from Noun
Project (CC BY
3.0)

Read,
Stop,
Think:

Is it a
CLICK?

Keep

Reading!

Is it a
CLUNK?

Reread!

Read and
annotate
“Weird and
Wondrous

Rocks,”
pages
35-39!

Multiple Choice

3. The ringing rocks are made of diabase, a dark, igneous, or volcanic, rock. People used to think that not all of the rocks rang, but scientists have shown that they do. Some of the rocks produce sounds too low for humans to hear.

4. In paragraph 3, what does the word igneous mean?

5. Las rocas que suenan están hechas de diabasa, una roca oscura, ígnea o volcánica. La gente solía pensar que no todas las rocas sonaban, pero los científicos han demostrado que sí. Algunas de las rocas producen sonidos demasiado bajos para que los humanos los escuchen.

6. En el párrafo 3, ¿qué significa la palabra ígneo?

• Formed by sedimentation

  Formado por sedimentación

• 1. Composed of crystals

  2. Compuesto de cristales

• Formed by volcanic activity

  Formado por actividad volcánica.

• Resulting from erosion

  Como resultado de la erosión

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Definitions

Examples

Word Parts

Antonyms

Synonyms

Inferences

5

In Chestnut Ridge Park in western New York, a small fire burns in a grotto, or hollow area,
beneath . . . a waterfall? The flame may have been burning, on and off, for a thousand years.
Hikers are told to carry barbecue lighters in case the fire goes out. They may need to relight it,
because sometimes the flame needs help to be “eternal.”

In paragraph 5, what does the word grotto mean?

The word grotto means…

because…
a hollow area or cave-like structure

the text describes a small fire burning in a grotto,
which is defined as a "hollow area, beneath . . . a
waterfall." Therefore, based on the text evidence,
"grotto" refers to a hollow or cave-like area where
the fire burns.

A.

a waterfall

B.

or hollow area

C.

a small fire

D.

on and off

O?

Which phrase helps the reader understand
the meaning of the word grotto?

33

In paragraph 6, what does the word fossilized mean?

The word fossilized means…

because…

the process of organic matter turned into fossils over time

the text explains that shale contains fossilized organic matter, the
remains of ancient plants. This indicates that the organic matter
has undergone a process of fossilization where it has been
preserved in the rock; therefore, based on the text evidence,
"fossilized" refers to the ancient organic material being preserved
and transformed into fossils within the shale rock.

A. Turning into wind

B. Turning into water

C. Turning into gas

D. Turning into stone
O?

6

The Eternal Flame burns natural gas. The gas forms from decaying organic matter and seeps out
from shale rocks. Shale is a type of sedimentary rock that contains fossilized organic matter—the
remains of ancient plants. The natural gas produces a flame up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. The grotto
protects the flame from wind and water.

Definitions

Examples

Word Parts

Antonyms

Synonyms

Inferences

Multiple Choice

6. The Eternal Flame burns natural gas. The gas forms from decaying organic matter and seeps out from shale rocks. Shale is a type of sedimentary rock that contains fossilized organic matter—the remains of ancient plants. The natural gas produces a flame up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. The grotto protects the flame from wind and water.

7. In paragraph 6, what does the word decaying mean?

8. La Llama Eterna quema gas natural. El gas se forma a partir de materia orgánica en descomposición y se filtra de las rocas de esquisto. El esquisto es un tipo de roca sedimentaria que contiene materia orgánica fosilizada: restos de plantas antiguas. El gas natural produce una llama de hasta 20 cm (8 pulgadas) de altura. La gruta protege la llama del viento y del agua.

9. En el párrafo 6, ¿qué significa la palabra decadente?

• 1. Absorbing nutrients

  2. Absorbiendo nutrientes

• Transforming into gas

  Transformándose en gas

• Hardening over time

  Endurecimiento con el tiempo

• 1. Breaking down gradually

  2. Rompiendo gradualmente

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8

At first you might think you are on another planet. What surrounds you can’t possibly

be on Earth! The Caverns of Sonora is a seven-mile-long system of beautiful caves

that lie beneath a Texas ranch. Legend says that a dog found the entrance to the

caverns around 1900. In 1955, cavers crossed a ledge above a deep pit. They found

passages leading to strange shapes and sparkling with crystals.

In paragraph 8, what does the word caverns mean?

C. Underground caves

D. Rocky mountains
O?
A. Dense forests

B. Flowing rivers

Definitions

Examples

Word Parts

Antonyms

Synonyms

Inferences

35

SCR

Look-fors in SCR responses:
❏ A complete response will provide

one of the possible responses.

❏ Evidence is accurately used to

support the response.

❏ The response and the evidence to

support it are based on the text.

1 point
✔

2 points

✔

✔

✔

In paragraph 10, what does the word deposits mean? Support your
answer with evidence from the article.

36

R
A
C
E

In paragraph 10, the word “deposits” means…

In paragraph 10, what does the word deposits mean? Support your
answer with evidence from the article.

S
C
R

the accumulated minerals that form various
structures in the cave. The text states, "Some of
the deposits on the cave walls look like coral or
popcorn," emphasizing that these mineral
formations are deposited or accumulated on the
cave walls. Therefore, based on the evidence
from the article, "deposits" in paragraph 10
refers to the accumulated minerals that form
stalagmites, stalactites, and other structures in
the cave.

37

How can we use
CONTEXT

CLUES to help us

determine the meaning

of unfamiliar and
multiple-meaning

words?

We can use
context clues
to help us
determine the
meaning of
words by…

38

DOL: Given an
informational text, SW
correctly use context
clues to determine the
relevant meaning of
unfamiliar words in at
least 4 of 5 questions.