Understanding New Words Becoming a vocabulary detective

First things first… Purpose- Why are we learning this? To give you strategies for defining new words and understand what you’re reading Objectives analyze textual context (within a sentence and in larger sections of text) to distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of words (1B) use a dictionary, a glossary, or a thesaurus (printed or electronic) to determine or confirm the meanings of words and phrases, including their connotations and denotations, and their etymology. (1E)

Using Context Clues Synonyms, Antonyms, Definitions, Examples

What exactly is a context clue? When you come across a word you don’t know, use clues! Context clues are words and/or phrases around unfamiliar words that can help you understand the meaning of a word Learning how to use these clues can help us understand the meaning of the word, help us to understand the reading, improve our vocabulary and save us from using Google or the dictionary There are 4 different context clues we’ll use: Synonym Antonym Example Explanation/Definition

Synonym Example: The sun was scorching; the heat was intense. A word with the same meaning is used in the sentence. Example: The sun was scorching; the heat was intense.

Antonym A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning reveals the meaning of an unknown term. Example: The vast mall was nothing compared to the tiny boutique.

Example Specific examples are used to define the term. Example: The décor, including the fancy chandelier and drapes, made the house look beautiful.

Explanation/ Definition The unknown word is explained or defined within the sentence or in a sentence immediately preceding. Example: The patient is so somnolent that she requires medication to help her stay awake for more than a short time.

Don’t forget prior knowledge! Prior knowledge is simply what you already know about a topic Do your best to make connections to the text/new word If you think you know the answer, go for it! Use the clues we’ve learned to support your idea.

Let’s practice! Read each sentence or paragraph and find the correct answer. Discuss with your group which Context Clue helped lead you to your answer. Use the white board to show your answer.

Question 1 The archeologist carefully removed the tome from its ancient resting place and proceeded to read the pages related to marriage in ancient Greece. What does the word tome probably mean? Pen Weapon Book Sausage

Question 2 Pleasant Almost Never Always The Navajo language is an unwritten language of extreme complexity with no alphabet or symbols, and is spoken only on the lands of the Navajo Nation in the American Southwest. During World War II a Navajo code was created for the U.S. Navy. This code was virtually undecipherable to anyone except Navajo speaking persons. What does the word virtually probably mean? Pleasant Almost Never Always

Question 3 Lakes occupy less than two percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they help sustain life. For instance, lakes give us fish to eat, irrigate crops, and generate electrical power. What does the word sustain probably mean? Support Obstruct Prolong Destroy

Question 4 Complicated Developed Destroyed Explored The ancient Greeks pioneered many of the kinds of writing we consider standard today. They wrote speeches, plays, poems, books about science and learning, long histories of the things that happened to them. What does the word pioneered probably mean? Complicated Developed Destroyed Explored

Question 5 Bats that eat fruit and nectar spread seeds and help flowers grow. Without bats many important plants would not thrive. What does the word thrive probably mean? Flourish Die Wither Deteriorate

Exit Ticket: How do you feel about context clues Exit Ticket: How do you feel about context clues? Got it, Struggling, or Stuck? Write your name and class period on ONE sticky note (DO NOT take more than one, please). Once you’ve decided how you feel, place your sticky note next to the corresponding level on the bookcase located in the corner of the room.