English Language Arts
Grade 3
15 min
Use context to identify the meaning of a word
Use context to identify the meaning of a word
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 8 out of 10 contractions formed with "not" (e.g., isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't, doesn't, don't, didn't, wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't) in a provided worksheet.
- Explain how to form a contraction with "not" by combining a verb and "not" and replacing the "o" with an apostrophe in at least 3 out of 4 examples.
- Apply the rules of contraction to rewrite 5 sentences using contractions with "not" correctly, given sentences with the words "not" and a verb separated.
- Solve a matching activity by accurately matching 6 out of 8 contractions with "not" to their corresponding expanded forms (e.g., isn't = is not).
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify an unfamiliar word in a sentence.
Define 'context clues' in their own words.
Find clues in the words and sentences surrounding an unknown word.
Use definition, synonym, and antonym clues to determine a word's meaning.
Explain how a picture can be a context clue.
Choose the correct meaning of an unknown word from a list of options.
Replace an unknown word with a synonym to check for understanding.
Have you ever been reading a great story and suddenly stopped at a word you didn't know? 🕵️♀️ Let's learn a secret trick so you never have to stop again!
In this lesson, you will become a 'word detective'! You will learn how to use clues in the sentences and pictures, called context clues, to figure out what new wor...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Context CluesHints the author gives in the story to help you figure out the meaning of a new or tricky word.In the sentence, 'The dog was famished, so he ate all his food in ten seconds,' the clue 'he ate all his food in ten seconds' helps you know that 'famished' means very hungry.
Unknown WordA word in a sentence or paragraph that you do not know the meaning of yet.If you don't know the word 'gargantuan', it is an unknown word.
Definition ClueA clue where the word's meaning is explained right in the sentence, often using words like 'is', 'are', or 'means'.A 'caterpillar' is the young form of a butterfly.
Synonym ClueA clue where a word with a similar meaning is used in the sam...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Look-Around Rule
Read the sentence before the unknown word, the sentence with the word, and the sentence after the word.
The meaning of a word is often not in the word itself, but in the sentences around it. Looking around gives your brain more clues to piece together the meaning.
The Clue Word Hunt
Look for special words like 'is', 'or', 'means', 'like', 'but', 'not', and 'for example'.
These words are signals from the author. 'Or' often signals a synonym, 'but' often signals an antonym, and 'is' or 'means' often signals a definition.
The Picture Peek
If there is a picture, illustration, or diagram on the page, look at it carefully.
Authors and illustrat...
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Challenging
Read the sentences: The thousand-piece puzzle was very difficult, but Sarah was **determined**. She stayed at the table for two hours, refusing to quit until the last piece was in place. What does **determined** mean?
A.Good at puzzles
B.Feeling tired
C.Having a lot of time
D.Not willing to give up
Challenging
Read the sentences: 'Are you sure we should go in there?' asked Leo. He **hesitated** at the entrance to the dark cave, taking a step back instead of forward. What does **hesitated** mean?
A.Walked confidently
B.Paused before doing something
C.Shouted for help
D.Looked around
Challenging
Read the sentences: It is very **rare** to find a pearl inside an oyster. You might have to open hundreds of them just to find one. What does **rare** mean?
A.Beautiful
B.Valuable
C.Not common
D.Hard to open
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What grade level is "Use context to identify the meaning of a word"?
Use context to identify the meaning of a word is a Grade 3 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Use context to identify the meaning of a word?
You'll be able to: Identify at least 8 out of 10 contractions formed with "not" (e.g., isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't, doesn't, don't, didn't, wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't) in a provided worksheet; Explain how to form a contraction with "not" by….
Is "Use context to identify the meaning of a word" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Use context to identify the meaning of a word?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.