Solving Word Meanings: Engaging Strategies for Vocabulary Development

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

PRINTOUTS

• Types of Context Clues
  
  
• Context Clues
  
  
• Semantic Gradients
  
  
• Semantic Gradients Plus Contexts
  
  
• Semantic Gradients Plus Contexts (Continued)

back to top

 

WEBSITES

• Dictionary.com
• Thesaurus.com

back to top

 

PREPARATION

1.	Throughout many of the sessions, it is recommended that students work in heterogeneous pairs or groups of four. Think about your range of learners and how best to group them for each of the sessions. Students can be paired by strengths, common needs, or interest. You can monitor and adjust pairings as students progress and gain experience. You'll need to model and work with students on the requisite group expectations and skills.
2.	Use these lesson activities as an introduction to the strategies of context clues and semantic gradients. Once you and your students are comfortable with the concepts, you will want to customize further activities that relate to content area vocabulary and authentic readings. By reinforcing use of these strategies and engaging students in meaningful vocabulary activities, new words will be more easily learned and remembered.
3.	Reproduce the Student Handouts (see Printouts), one for each student in your class.

back to top