Context Clues Lesson Plan
Content area: Reading
Objective:
Students will use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in a workshop context.
Standards addressed:
· CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.4a Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding
· CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.4c Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
Materials:
· I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
· Chart paper & markers
· Classroom library from which students select their own books
Words to be taught:
· Ferocious
· Mend
· Alien
· Cyclops
Teacher Modeling and Guided Practice:
The teacher begins the mini-lesson by saying that we can often figure out the meanings of words by looking at the rest of the sentence, or the rest of the page. The teacher then writes the following sentence on the chart paper or whiteboard:
My sister leaned over and whispered a special kipp in my ear.
The teacher reads the sentence, tracing the words with his/her finger, and underlines the word kipp. S/he asks, “Can someone explain what is going on in this sentence?” After someone retells the idea, the teacher asks students to lean over and whisper in their partner’s ear. Then, the teacher asks for guesses asto what the word Kipp means. Although the desired response is secret, other possible responses could include story, tale or joke. The teacher asks, “How could you tell?” A discussion of the other words should follow. Then, try this example.
We picked a batch of beautiful fribs from the garden.
Repeat the steps above, focusing on the word fribs. They could be any kind of fruit or vegetable or flower. Students briefly discuss the context of the sentence. Then, introduce the book, I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and ask students for predictions about the content. The teacher begins to read the big book edition, or places th small edition on a document camera. The teacher stops after reading the page depicting the ferocious alligator. Ask students what the word ferocious means, and offer reasons that could include the large teeth, the size of the animal in the picture, or what they know about how alligators catch prey. Repeat for the page depicting the need to mend the ripped-up sheets. Ask students if they have had a parent fix clothes that have ripped. For the words Alien and Cyclops, have students take more control of the process by pointing out the unfamiliar words and thinking aloud.
Independent Practice:
Release students to read independently or with a partner, books on their independent reading level. ESOL students may benefit from partner-reading the same book together, discussing each page. Give each student two sticky notes, and advise them to mark pages where they find unfamiliar words. Have students use the process discussed in the mini-lesson to attempt to figure out the meanings of the unfamiliar words, and write down thoughts on the sticky notes. The teacher circulates and conferences with students, using a class checklist to identify students who have used the process successfully at least once. Note: some students may need to choose books that aren’t familiar to them so that they will encounter some new words. It may be advisable to build in some time to select new books before beginning this lesson.
Closing and Reflection:
After a period of independent reading, bring students back to the large group setting. Give students the opportunity to turn and talk to a partner to discuss how they used context clues. Then, invite volunteers to share their sticky notes and explain how they used context clues. Continue to assess with the class checklist to determine who has used the strategy successfully.Add this strategy to posters or bookmarks containing comprehension strategies, or things that readers do, and continue to use it throughout the year.
Analysis and Extension
Inevitablly, some students will need to revisit this strategy before it becomes an integrated part of the student’s reading process system. This strategy would also make a great subject for a guided reading group lesson. Students of similar abilities who are in need of it can receive reteaching of this strategy in guided reading groups. Cut-up sentences and picture cards can be used as additional scaffolds for English learners.
Reflection:
I taught this lesson to the English learner whom I tutor. I used the above examples containing kipp and fribs for the introduction and guided practice. Instead of using chart paper, I used cut-up sentence strips. I would remove the fake word, as we discussed what type of word should replace it. Since her reading level is a bit higher than the imaginary class presumed in this lesson, I deligated much of the reading to her. She had difficulty pronouncing words which she hadn’t encountered before, especially the target words to be taught. This is a conundrum that I encounter a lot with English learners. There are times when it is appropriate to call on the cuing systems, and there are times when it is more appropriate to simply introduce a correct pronunciation. I’m not always sure of these decisions. Despite this, she was able to use context clues successfully in another, easier book which she read independently. From this evidence, I gathered that the lesson was successful.
