The document explains how to use context clues to understand the meanings of unfamiliar words, highlighting three types: rewording, synonyms, and details. It provides examples and practice activities for the reader to identify and interpret context clues in sentences. The goal is to enhance vocabulary comprehension without the need for a dictionary.

1. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Rewording
Rewording
Rewording is when the author
says the word in another
way, that is typically easier
to understand.
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2. Let’s Look at an Example:
Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Rewording
Rewording
, a feeling of bitterness and
anger, is often felt by people who are
passed over for promotions.
Resentment
What does the word resentment mean in
this sentence?
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3. Now You Give It A Try!
Now You Give It A Try!
The Cruise family moved from their
house, that was old and
run-down, into a brand new home.
dilapidated
What does the word
dilapidated mean here?
HINT: In REWORDING
REWORDING, the context
clues are often hidden between commas!
Context Clues:
Context Clues: Rewording
Rewording
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4. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Rewording
Rewording
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5. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Rewording
Rewording
Resentment, , is
often felt by people who are passed over for
promotions.
a feeling of bitterness and anger
If you wanted to find the meaning of the
word RESENTMENT the clue is right here.
Resentment is:
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6. The Cruise family moved from
their dilapidated house, that was
, into a brand
new home.
Context Clues:
Context Clues: Rewording
Rewording
old and run-down
Did you find the Context Clue?
Dilapidated means
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7. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Synonyms
Synonyms
A writer sometimes uses synonym context clues
to help with hard words. A synonym context
clue is one or two words that mean almost the
same as the one that the author does not
expect us to know.
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8. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Synonyms
Synonyms
Let’s Look at an Example:
What does the word aloof mean in this
sentence?
The young girl was very . She
always seemed unsociable,
unapproachable, and uninterested.
aloof
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9. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Synonyms
Synonyms
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10. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Synonyms
Synonyms
The young girl was very
aloof. She always seemed
unsociable, unapproachable,
and uninterested.
Our context clue is HERE!
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11. unsociable, unapproachable,
and uninterested.
Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Synonyms
Synonyms
The young girl was very
aloof. She always seemed
All three of
these words
are synonyms
to help us
with the
original word
aloof
The word aloof means:
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12. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Synonyms
Synonyms
Now You Give It A Try!
Now You Give It A Try!
The three brothers began to
over the game.
This was not the first time that they
had a dispute over it.
altercate
What does the word altercate mean here?
HINT: SYNONYM
SYNONYM context clues are
often hidden in surrounding sentences!
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13. Context Clues:
Context Clues:
Synonyms
Synonyms
The three brothers began to
altercate over the game.
This was not the first time that
they had a over it.
Did you find any
Did you find any Context Clues????
Context Clues????
dispute
Altercate means the
same as
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14. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
A writer is using details as context clues when
they give us explanations or examples as hints
about the word that they don’t think we will
know.
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15. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
There are
several
different kinds
of Context
Clues that are
Details.
• Details that are examples
of the unknown word.
• Details that tell why the
unknown word has taken
place.
• Details that explain how
the word relates to other
things the author has
stated.
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16. Let’s Look at an Example:
Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
Father was because
Joshua decided to go to the college
that he wanted him to.
ecstatic
What does the word ecstatic mean in this
sentence?
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17. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
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18. Joshua decided to
go to the college that he
wanted him to.
Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
There is a special word in this sentence
There is a special word in this sentence
that hints at the presence of a
that hints at the presence of a
detail
detail.
. The word
BECAUSE tells us
that the writer is
about to say why
Father was
ecstatic.
because
Father was ecstatic
“
“Ecstatic” was how Father felt
Ecstatic” was how Father felt
Ecstatic
must mean
the same
as happy!
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19. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
Now You Give It A Try!
Now You Give It A Try!
Brian was when he left the
school building. He ran through the
halls, jumped in his car, and sped off.
expeditious
What does the word expeditious mean here?
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20. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Details
Details
Brian was expeditious when he
left the school building.
Did you figure out
what types of details
the writer is giving
us about how Brian
left school?
How did Brian leave?
How did Brian leave?
He ran through the halls,
jumped in his car, and sped
off.
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21. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Practice
Practice
Now it is your turn to follow the clues!
The next few
slides are sentences
with context clues that
you can hunt out on your
own. Write down your
answers as you go along.
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22. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Practice #1
Practice #1
Mallery’s mom thought that the new outfit
that she had bought for her was .
Mallery did not want to break it to her,
but it was totally out of style.
modish
Questions:
Questions:
Which type of context clue is being used here?
Which type of context clue is being used here?
What does the word
What does the word modish
modish mean in this sentence?
mean in this sentence?
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23. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Practice #2
Practice #2
, not being able to sleep at
night, can be linked to an excessive
intake of caffeine throughout the day.
Insomnia
Questions:
Questions:
Which type of context clue is being used here?
Which type of context clue is being used here?
What does the word
What does the word insomnia
insomnia mean in this sentence?
mean in this sentence?
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24. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Practice #3
Practice #3
The woman enjoyed the savor of the
soup. It had a hint of spices balanced
with the perfect amount of sweetness.
Questions:
Questions:
Which type of context clue is being used here?
Which type of context clue is being used here?
What does the word
What does the word savor
savor mean in this sentence?
mean in this sentence?
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25. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Practice #4
Practice #4
The day had proven to be very .
Before the sun had even risen, it was
already hot outside.
torrid
Questions:
Questions:
Which type of context clue is being used here?
Which type of context clue is being used here?
What does the word
What does the word torrid
torrid mean in this sentence?
mean in this sentence?
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26. Context Clues:
Context Clues: Practice
Practice
Now, lets see
Now, lets see
how you did!
how you did!
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27. Still Wondering What a
Context Clue Is?
• Click on the link below to watch a video
clip. Pay careful attention to what the
song tells you.
• When the video is over click the back
arrow  in the upper left hand corner.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgaSmJ
KR9HM

28. Using Context Clues help you know the
meaning of words without using a
dictionary.
EXAMPLES:
 There are many theories, or ideas, about what
made the Ice Ages happen.
 After a time, glaciers, or slowly moving rivers
of ice, formed over many parts of the Earth.
 Joe was reluctant about drinking the milk
because it smelled sour.

29. EXAMPLES:
 After seeing the picture of the starving children, we
felt compassion.
 The mother admonished her daughter when she
found out she broke the plate.

30. Now it is your turn to be
a detective and follow
the clues!
Use what you have learned about
context clues to complete the activity
on the next 5 slides.

31. 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.
Dear Diary,
I overslept this morning. I had to consume my bowl of cereal very
quickly. I almost missed the bus. When I got to school, I realized I had
forgotten my homework . Fortunately, my teacher was in a good mood and
told me I could bring it tomorrow.
After school, some friends and I participated in a game of
basketball.. We tallied 7 points and they only scored 5 points, so we were
the conquerors!
Dad says that next weekend we’re going to the beach . I’m excited
and can’t wait! I’m anticipating that weekend at the beach. I love to swim
and play in the sand. I hope dad won’t alter the plans and we don’t go.
Well, I better go to bed immediately. I don’t want to defer my
sleep time and go to bed late.
Until tomorrow,
Ryan

32. “On Your Own” Activities
• Quia Context Clues Activity
– http://www.quia.com/pop/117579.html
• Study zone lesson and activity
– http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/e4topic.cfm?
TopicID=24
• TV 411 Activity
– http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/reading.cfm?
str=reading&num=7&act=1
• Word Clues Activity
– http://wps.ablongman.com/
long_licklider_vocabulary_1/0,1682,11855-,00.html

33. More Activities For You
• Print and Do Worksheet
– http://www.woodland.k12.mo.us/faculty/rgarner/
Reading/Using%20Context%20Clues_riddles.doc
• Context Clues Practice Sheets
– http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/
palmasola/ccprac1.htm
– http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/
palmasola/ccprac2.htm
– http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/
palmasola/rcdc2cc.htm
– http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/
palmasola/rcdc2cc.htm