This document provides information about using context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words. It discusses how context refers to the circumstances or setting in which something occurs. Figuring out word meanings from context involves looking for clues in the text around an unfamiliar word. The document then models this process with an example sentence and instructions for students to work through determining the definition of an underlined word and identifying the contextual clues that helped.

1. Vocabulary in
Context
Year 8
PL 2014

2. Vocabulary in Context
Learning Intention
To determine and
clarify unknown
words within a text.
Use context as a
clue to figure out the
meaning of a word
or phrase.
Success Criteria
I can use text clues
to help me figure out
the meaning of
unfamiliar words.
I can say the
learning actions that
assist me with this
task.

3. Key Vocabulary
 vocabulary
Words
 context
 comprehension
 text clues

4. Hook

5. What is vocabulary in
context?
 Context means the setting of a word or event.
 Context comes from the Latin for how
something is made.
 We use it to talk about any circumstance in
which something happens. You might say that
you can't understand what happens without
looking at the context.
 When someone takes your words but makes it
sound like you meant something else, they've
taken your words out of context.

6. Finding vocabulary
meaning in context
 Figuring out the meaning of an unknown
word by thinking about how the person has
used it e.g.
 Looking for clues within a text to help you
figure out what the word means. Clues may
be found in the sentence where the word
appears or in sentences before or after the
word.

7. Activity
With a partner, read the sentence below
What does
the title tell
me?
What do I
predict the
text will be
about?
What do I
already know
about this
topic?
images come
to mind?
What will I
do as I
read?
What can
the pictures
tell me?
What
words do
I expect
to see?
What
Shepparton's cultural precinct is located in Welsford
Street and consists of an art gallery featuring Australian
ceramics and paintings, and a major war memorial
located next to the council offices.
Write down what you think the word ‘precinct’ means.
Write down the clues you used to come up with your
definition.
Share your definitions and clues used with others near
you.

8. Activity
 Using the ‘Shepparton’ text,
record your predicted
definition of the words in
bold type.
 Also record the text clues
you used

9. Review
Using text clues will
help me to …
The learning actions I
used today were …