1. Introduction to Context Clues

2. 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 word’s meaning.
Synonyms and antonyms can also be context clues.

3. 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 spots—high up in the tops of trees, well-hidden by leaves.
Grammar: Many birds migrate twice each year.

4. 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.

5. 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 aren’t obstacles; they are steps to new knowledge.

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. How Can I Support Students' Use of Context Clues?

9. Use of Evidence-Based Practices
Provide Clear Explanations
Give Students Strategies and Models
Provide Opportunities for Practice

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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!

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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?

18. Disclaimer
Awarded through a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Grant #H327G , PowerUp What Works was developed by a team of experts in education, technology, differentiated instruction/UDL, and special education at the Center for Technology Implementation, operated by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in collaboration with the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST).
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