Sped Virtual Learning

6-8 Reading Comprehension

April 2020

Lesson: April 2020

Objective/Learning Target:Determine Word Meaning

I can determine word meaning & phrases used in text,using the clues given in the text.

WARM UPContext clues are words in the sentence that help you figure out the meaning of a difficult word

that you don’t know.

For each underlined word use the context clues or words that surround it to guess the meaning.

1) Her constant complaining about the job would adumbrate her intent to leave.

2) Lago is a malevolent villain who takes pleasure in ruining Othello.

Example Answers: 1. Give a hint at something

2. Wishing harm to others

LEARNContext clues are hints that the author gives to help define a word you don’t know. The clue may appear in the same sentence as the word you don’t know or in a nearby sentence.

Some types of context clues:

Synonym: Antonym: Explanation: Example:

A word or group of words that has the same meaning.

Example: My little brother is gaunt—just so thin and bony!

A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning.

Example: Though some students are aloof, others pay attention to everything.

The unknown word is explained within the sentence.

Example: My friend was so forlorn when her dog died that she cried for a week.

Specific examples in the sentence help define the term.

Example: Commercial vehicles, such as trucks and taxis with paid drivers, can all be found on the road.

How to Use Context Clues

○ Find a word you don’t know.○ Read before and after the word○ Look for other words that help you find the meaning of

an word you don’t know○ Make a guess about what you think the word means○ Check to make sure your guess makes sense (reread)

LEARNING Continued...Here are some examples. The underlined the part of the sentence that help you find the meaning of the highlighted (unknown) word.

1. The man who used to be very lax with the rules now follows all the laws.

Explanation: This is an example of the clues telling you the opposite. The opposite of following all the laws would be not following the laws, so lax means the man used to not follow all the laws.

2. The comestibles, including a huge pizza and a birthday cake, were all in the fridge before my birthday party.

Explanation: This is an example of the clues giving examples. The examples are pizza and cake, so comestibles means food.

3. She was so erratic that she would be in a great mood one minute and crying the next.

Explanation: This is an example of the clues telling you the same, so erratic means always changing.

PRACTICE WITH INDEPENDENT WORK

Now, read the article “Why tough times can create better neighbors.”

Using context clues, define the following on your paper:

Emerged (Hint: the context clues comes after the word)

Roused (Hint: the clue comes after the word):

PRACTICE WITH INDEPENDENT WORKExample Answers:

Emerged: Came out of

Roused: Stirred

More Context Clues Practice

Dear Diary,

I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poof-poofs very quickly, and I almost missed the tramzam. When I got to school, I realized I had forgotten my zilping. Luckily, Ms. Jutzi is very zoosh, and told me I could bring it tomorrow.After school, some friends and I played plimming. It’s a new game I am learning. We scored 7 points and they only scored 5 points, so we were the zoiters! Dad says that next weekend we’re going to the fladder. I can’t wait! I love to swim and play in the sand. I hope I don’t get a sunburn though. Well, I better go to bed soon. I don’t want to wake up late again and miss my tramzam!

Until tomorrow,Ryan

Your friend Ryan has moved to a new country and is learning a new language. Read what he wrote in his diary and see if you can figure out the meaning to the underlined words.

Additional ResourcesWatch these short videos to explore and learn about context clues! Context Clue link More Context Clues link

Now, you be the detective! Practice using Context Clues (with a little review) DetectivYee #1 link Detective #2 link

Finally, try this context clue game link!

● Root word and affix● Contrast● Logic● Definition● Example or illustration● Grammar