Context Clues

Explicitly teaching students how to utilize context clues can enable them to infer the meaning of a word based on the surrounding text. Diamond and Gutlohn (2006) identify multiple types of context clues:  

• Definition: direct definition is provided
  • Example sentence:  A constellation is a group of stars given a specific name.
• Appositive definition: word or phrase that defines or explains an unfamiliar word that comes before it
  • Example sentence:  An eagle’s talons, or claws, are used to catch its prey.
• Synonym: similar word or phrase
  • Example sentence:  I was annoyed when one of my classmates was humming aloud. It was also getting on the teacher’s nerves. 
• Antonym: opposite word or phrase
  • Example sentence:  Although the class was usually quiet during work time, the students were boisterous on the day the teacher was absent.
• Example: several words or ideas are provided
  • Example sentence:  Percussion instruments, such as drums, tambourines, and cymbals, were used by the band members.
• General: non-specific clues
  • Example sentence:  I watched a horror movie last weekend.  I had bad dreams several nights after seeing it.

See Vocabulary Handbook for lesson ideas for teaching students how to use context clues. Signal words and phrases, as well as specific lesson plans, are provided

Baloney (Henry P.), by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, is an excellent picture book to use for teaching context clues. Henry is an alien schoolkid that uses many nonsense words, and context clues can be used to derive their meaning.