CONTEXT CLUES STRATEGY
DEFINITION:
The context clues strategy allows students learn to use clues in the text surrounding an unknown word to figure out the meaning. Students spend time looking at the text surrounding the unknown word and attempt to decipher what the word may mean based on the tone of the writer, other words that are being used, and the context that the word is being used in.
The key to using context clues is examining the words around the unknown word. If a student was to see the word "unlike" near the word they do not know, they can assume that the mystery word is going to be something opposite than the word that unlike is used with. It is important that teachers help students with this strategy in the beginning to show the student what exactly they are looking for.
The context clues strategy allows students learn to use clues in the text surrounding an unknown word to figure out the meaning. Students spend time looking at the text surrounding the unknown word and attempt to decipher what the word may mean based on the tone of the writer, other words that are being used, and the context that the word is being used in.
The key to using context clues is examining the words around the unknown word. If a student was to see the word "unlike" near the word they do not know, they can assume that the mystery word is going to be something opposite than the word that unlike is used with. It is important that teachers help students with this strategy in the beginning to show the student what exactly they are looking for.
STEPS TO USING CONTEXT CLUES:
1. Students will find words in the text they have been given that they are unfamiliar with. On a separate sheet of paper, the students will write the sentence in which the unknown word can be found.
2. While examining the sentence, students will find words they are familiar with and determine if there is a connection to the word they do not know.
3. Students will then use another source to determine if their definition of the word they did not know is correct.
1. Students will find words in the text they have been given that they are unfamiliar with. On a separate sheet of paper, the students will write the sentence in which the unknown word can be found.
2. While examining the sentence, students will find words they are familiar with and determine if there is a connection to the word they do not know.
3. Students will then use another source to determine if their definition of the word they did not know is correct.
Sources:
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. (2005). Helping Students Learn Vocabulary-Acquisition Skills. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/vocab_acquisition.phtml
Greenwood, S., & Flanigan, K. (2015). Solving Word Meanings: Engaging Strategies for Vocabulary Development. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/solving-word-meanings-engaging-1089.html?tab=4
Nelson, J. R., & Stage, S. A. (2007). Fostering the development of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension through contextually-based multiple meaning vocabulary instruction. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://powerupwhatworks.org/resource/fostering-development-vocabulary-knowledge-and-reading-comprehension-through-contextually
Roell, K. (2015). Understand Vocabulary Words in Context. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://testprep.about.com/od/readingtesttips/a/Vocab_Context.htm
Zorfass, J., & Gray, T. (2015). Using Context Clues to Understand Word Meanings. Retrieved July 11, 2015, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/using-context-clues-understand-word-meanings
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. (2005). Helping Students Learn Vocabulary-Acquisition Skills. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/vocab_acquisition.phtml
Greenwood, S., & Flanigan, K. (2015). Solving Word Meanings: Engaging Strategies for Vocabulary Development. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/solving-word-meanings-engaging-1089.html?tab=4
Nelson, J. R., & Stage, S. A. (2007). Fostering the development of vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension through contextually-based multiple meaning vocabulary instruction. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://powerupwhatworks.org/resource/fostering-development-vocabulary-knowledge-and-reading-comprehension-through-contextually
Roell, K. (2015). Understand Vocabulary Words in Context. Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://testprep.about.com/od/readingtesttips/a/Vocab_Context.htm
Zorfass, J., & Gray, T. (2015). Using Context Clues to Understand Word Meanings. Retrieved July 11, 2015, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/using-context-clues-understand-word-meanings