What do those words mean?!

Learning Goal  Students will be able to determine the meanings of unknown words by analyzing context clues, understanding word relationships, and examining word parts.

Student Objective Using context clues will help me identify the meaning of unknown words. 3 – use context clues to define grade-level vocabulary 2 – describe how to use context clues 1 – define context clues

What are context clues?  Context clues are words that come before and after a particular word or phrase that can help you determine the meaning.  Using context clues is one of the best ways strategies for determining meanings of unfamiliar words.

Types of Context Clues ClueWhat to Look ForExample Boldface or Italic wordsThese words are often defined in the reading. The driving instructor asked Chris to parallel park, or park beside the curb. Antonyms/ContrastsSignal words such as unlike, not, however, can help you to look for contrasts. Some children are not gregarious and do not enjoy socializing with other kids. Synonyms or Restatements A word or phrase that is similar to the difficult word will give you clues to its meaning. Jessica showed great fortitude and determination by completing the marathon. Words or Phrases That Modify Modifiers – such as adjectives, adverbs, or phrases and clauses – often provide clues. It is a remote place, and divided from the rest of the world by a great forked range of mountains on the north and west.

Types of Context Clues ClueWhat to Look ForExample Cause/EffectThe stated cause or effect will give you clues to the meaning of a difficult word. When a car’s tires lose their tread, they can no longer adhere to the road properly and may result in an accident. Example/ExplanationThe explanation of a difficult word will appear in an example. The teacher’s monotone voice droned on and on; neither the players’ union nor the owners will compromise. Concrete ExamplesAn example will illustrate and clarify a difficult concept. Foreign antigens are introduced from outside the body. Components of bacteria are examples of foreign antigens.

Understanding Word Relationships  As a reader, you need to recognize words that have nearly the same meaning (synonyms) and the words that have opposite meanings (antonyms).  Analogies are often used to represent word relationships.

What are analogies?  They are expressions that show similarities between two things.  An analogy question has two sets of words that share a common relationship.  Your job as the reader is to figure out the relationship of the pair of words.  Then you apply that same relationship to the other pair of words and complete the analogy.

Types of Analogies Analogies in Which Word Order is Not Important Example Synonymsomit : skip :: choose : pick Antonymsjolly : gloomy :: elation : depression Rhyming Wordschair : lair :: poise : noise Homophonescrews : cruise :: beech : beach Parts of the Same Thingstem : petal :: trunk : leaf Two Examples from the Same Classlake : river :: hill : mountain

Types of Analogies Analogies in Which Word Order is Important Example Different Forms of the Same Wordapply : application :: evaluate : evaluation Name and Locationcountry : England :: continent : Asia Class and Example of that Classoffspring : colt :: singer : soprano Item and Who Uses Itplane : pilot :: stage : performer Item and What It Is Designed to Dohammer : pound :: knife : cut Item and a Word that Describes Itthorn : sharp :: comedian : funny Whole and Partdresser : drawer :: sweater : sleeve Action and Where It Takes Placerun : track :: swim : pool Result and Who Does Ithouse : builder :: sonnet : poet Sequenceinfancy : childhood :: bud : flower

What are word parts?  Root: the part of a word that carries meaning  Prefixes: word parts that are added to the beginning of words to change the meaning  Suffixes: a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning and, sometimes, its part of speech.