Introduction to Context Clues

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Introduction to Context Clues
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What are Context Clues?

• Words and phrases that help reveal the meaning of
  an unknown word. They can appear in the same
  sentence, paragraph, or section as the word.
• Definitions or examples in nearby text can offer
  hints about a words meaning.
• Synonyms and antonyms can also be context clues.

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Six Common Types of Context Clues

• Root word and affix People who study birds are
  experts in ornithology.
• Contrast Unlike mammals, birds incubate their
  eggs outside their bodies.
• Logic Birds are always on the lookout for
  predators that might do harm to their young.
• Definition Frugivorous birds prefer eating fruit
  to any other kind of food.
• Example or illustration Some birds like to build
  their nests in inconspicuous spotshigh up in the
  tops of trees, well-hidden by leaves.
• Grammar Many birds migrate twice each year.

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How Are Context Clues Important?

• Help readers define unknown words.
• Students draw upon surrounding text to gain
  insight into new terms and ideas.
• Combine with word analysis strategies to help
  students become more skilled readers.

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How Do Context Clues Help Students?

• When your students know how to use this practice,
  they become better, more fearless readers.
• Even if a new word slows them down, they have the
  tools they need to tackle it head on and make
  sense of it. That means that new words arent
  obstacles they are steps to new knowledge.

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How Can I Prepare Students to Use This Practice?

• Provide clear explanations of what context clues
  are and how to identify them in text.
• Offer online and print reference materials
  (dictionaries and thesauruses), as well as a
  variety of texts.
• Share strategies to help students use tools to
  interpret context clues.
• Give students lots of opportunities to practice
  finding context clues in print and digital text
  in all content areas.

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Discussion Questions 1

• Why is the ability to use context clues
  especially important for struggling readers?
• In what ways have you taught your students about
  the six types of context clues?
• In what ways does an online dictionary and/or
  thesaurus provide support for students?

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How Can I Support Students' Use of Context Clues?
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Use of Evidence-Based Practices

• Provide Clear Explanations
• Give Students Strategies and Models
• Provide Opportunities for Practice

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Differentiated Instruction

• Plan instruction that considers students'
  readiness, learning needs, and interests.
• Use a range of technology tools to
• engage learners at varying levels
• engage learners in multiple ways.
• offer students options for demonstrating
  understanding and mastery

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Teacher-Dependent Ways to Differentiate

• By Content
• Different levels of reading or resource
  materials, reading buddies, small group
  instruction, curriculum compacting, multi-level
  computer programs and Web Quests, audio
  materials, etc.
• By Product
• Activity choice boards, tiered activities,
  multi-level learning center tasks, similar
  readiness groups, choice in group work, varied
  journal prompts, mixed readiness groups with
  targeted roles for students, etc.
• By Process
• Tiered products, students choose mode of
  presentation to demonstrate learning, independent
  study, varied rubrics, mentorships,
  interest-based investigations

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Student-Dependent Ways to Differentiate

• By Readiness
• Options in content, topic, or theme, options in
  the tools needed for production, options in
  methods for engagement
• By Profile
• Consideration of gender, culture, learning
  styles, strengths, and weaknesses
• By Interests
• Identification of background knowledge/gaps in
  learning, vary amount of direct instruction, and
  practice, pace of instruction, complexity of
  activities, and exploration of a topic

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Discussion Questions 2

• What types of instructional materials or tools
  could you use to differentiate instruction?
• In what ways could you modify your instruction if
  your students were reading fiction versus
  nonfiction?
• How might you vary the level of text complexity
  you use to teach context clues?

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Activities Before Reading

• Review the six common types of context clues.
• Look at the text as a class, taking note of clues
  (images, headings, bolded words, etc.).
• Ask students to make guesses about what the text
  might be about.
• Skim the text and highlight or underline any
  unknown words -- digital text is great for this
  task!

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Activities During Reading

• Remind students to use the appropriate strategies
  when they come across an unknown word.
• Encourage students to use online tools, such as
  the dictionary and thesaurus.

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Activities After Reading

• Discuss the words selected and the appropriate
  meanings, according to the tools.
• Make a list of the words that were unknown and
  write the definition for each.
• Have students write sentences that use each of
  the new words in a context related to the overall
  meaning of what they read.

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Discussion Questions 3

• What are different ways (online and offline) in
  which your students could be reminded of the six
  common types of context clues?
• If students are using digital text, which
  features can help them identify context clues?
• How do you assess your students' use of context
  clues?

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Disclaimer

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  Special Technology (CAST).
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