How many of your students totally dread each vocabulary test? Let me guess: too many to count! Memorizing vocabulary words is one way to increase academic language. However, it may not be the most effective. Thankfully, there is a great way to build vocabulary and improve reading comprehension without the long lists of vocabulary words. Context clues are an excellent way for good readers to use strategies to help them understand the meaning of unknown words. Teaching context clues will create strategic readers and boost comprehension. Here are five quick and easy steps for teaching context clues. 

Step 1: Teaching the 5 Different Types of Context Clues

To start with, students must first understand what context clues are. To do this, you need to explicitly show them what each type of context clue looks like. Luckily, Finding Context Clues for Unknown Words is the perfect resource for teaching the five types of context clues. Let’s break down each type.

Type 1: Inferences 

Inferencing is best described as reading between the lines to make an educated guess. So, as students find a word they do not know, there will be a hint to the word within the sentence.

For example, My mom is constantly nagging me about practicing piano. She is very persistent. What does the word persistent mean?

Students must assume what the word means based on the clues in the sentences. 

Type 2: Definitions

Students can use other words within the sentence to find the unfamiliar word’s meaning as it is written in the text. 

For example, My mom is a very persistent person. She is constantly asking me to practice the piano.

When students see an unknown word, they need to know to go back and reread the sentence to look for clue words. Clue words can help identify the definition of the unknown word. It is also essential to ensure they understand the clue could be in the previous or the following sentence. 

Type 3: Examples

An example of the word can sometimes be found in the sentence or a nearby sentence. Authors love to use this descriptive language to allude to a word without actually using the word. 

For example, My mom is a very persistent person. She continues to ask me to practice piano, even though I do not want to play. 

Type 4: Antonyms

When students reach upper elementary, most are familiar with synonyms and antonyms. However, students may not know to look for an antonym when they see an unknown word. When teaching context clues, students must practice searching the sentences for words with the opposite meaning. 

An example of an antonym clue is, My dad is so patient. I wish my mom were more patient like him and less persistent. 

Type 5: Synonyms

Alternatively, synonyms work the same way as antonyms. Students must search the sentences for words with the same meaning as the unfamiliar word. 

For example, My mom is persistent. She reminds me of my grandmother, who asks me nonstop to practice piano.

Finding passages covering each of the five types of context clues can be challenging. Thankfully, Finding Context Clues for Unknown Words introduces students to all five types within six high-interest passages. This will create a solid foundation for teaching context clues. 

Step 2: Teaching How to Find Context Clues 

As students are learning the types of context clues, it is equally important to teach them the process of finding context clues. There are four quick steps students take to help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.

• Reread the sentences – Stop, reread the sentence before, with the unfamiliar word, and the sentence after. Pay close attention to the words surrounding the unknown word. 
• Identify context clues – Guide students to go a step further and think about the meaning of the words in the sentences surrounding the unfamiliar word. 
• Decide on a meaning – Gather what you know about the unfamiliar word based on the sentence context. Use those clues to make an educated guess on the word’s meaning. 
• Check your guess – Substitute your assumed meaning of the word with the unfamiliar word. Make sure it makes sense and fits the overall idea of the passage.

Practicing the process is the best way to master finding context clues. This process will help struggling readers just as it will help advanced readers. Additionally, all students can benefit from a visual reminder. 

As students practice finding context clues, I like to provide a reference guide to the five types of context clues. As they are rereading the sentences, they can remind themselves of what kinds of context clues they are searching for. Finding Context Clues for Unknown Words comes with a ready-to-use reference guide in three sizes! 

Step 3: Modeling Context Clues with Think-Alouds

Simple strategies, like think-alouds, are an easy strategy to teach context clues. With a think-aloud, the teacher will demonstrate dialogue that happens inside the brain when we see an unfamiliar word. 

First, choose a few examples to use. Next, say your thoughts out loud as you walk through the process of determining meaning using context clues. 

Honestly, this strategy is an excellent way to model the questioning that happens as we determine meaning. Allow students to help guide your answers and questions. 

Step 4: Practice Finding Context Clues with Partners

Teachers know how effective peer-to-peer learning can be. Practicing context clues with a partner is an excellent transition before students dive in individually. 

Place students with partners or a triad. Have them practice finding context clues using the process above with an informational text. Encourage students to take turns thinking aloud as they walk through the process. 

Of course, students work best collaboratively when they are highly engaged. Choosing one of the high-interest texts from the  Finding Context Clues for Unknown Words will ensure students are immersed in the text. There are passages on fossils, the water cycle, and the human skeletal system! 

Luckily, this is the perfect way to incorporate academic information while students practice context clues collaboratively. 

Step 5: Using Context Clues Individually 

Guiding students to the point where they can practice context clues independently is the ultimate goal. Now is the time to put their knowledge into practice! 

Context Clue Worksheets are the perfect resource for this! Through a variety of nonfiction texts and engaging activities, students will quickly learn how to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. There are six different activities for students to practice with. Not only are the texts engaging and curriculum-based, but each activity is entirely no prep! You can quickly print, teach, and assess student knowledge on context clues. 

These five quick and easy steps for teaching context clues will create an entire classroom of confident readers!

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Save these steps for later!

Save these steps to your favorite reading board on Pinterest. When you are ready to teach context clues, you will be able to come back to this blog and teach each step!