Reading Skills: Context Clues

These sites focus on using contextual clues to determine the meaning of unknown words. The sites introduce different types of contextual clues and strategies on using the clues. Exercises, lesson plans, and a song are included. There are links to eThemes resources on Text Structures, Teaching Tips for Decoding Strategies, Synonyms and Antonyms, and Prefixes and Suffixes.
Grade Level: 3, 4, 5, 6
Resource Links: Types of context clues
Learn about four common types of context clues and examples. Exercises with answers are included. NOTE: The reading level is appropriate for older students.

Looking At Vocabulary
This presentation provides information and techniques for teachers to use when teaching new vocabulary by using contextual clues.

Hop Over It: Teaching Contextual Reading Strategies
Here is a song that uses contextual clues as a reading strategy. This song teaches contextual reading strategies and word attack skills. Lyrics and music are included.

Internalization of Vocabulary Through the Use of a Word Map
This lesson plan provides a word map for students to learn new vocabulary through embedded activities and contextual clues. Instruction, activities, and extended activities are included.

Africa is Not a Country
This is a cross-curricular lesson plan with embedded context clues to use with geography. Go to the context clues by going to Lesson 5B on page 3.

Guess Who
Using context clues in rhymes to figure out who (what type of job) the poem is describing. NOTE: This site includes ads.

Guess What
This site shows how to use context clues in rhymes to figure out what the object is that the poem is describing. NOTE: This site includes ads.

Context Clues: Synonyms
Print out this existing exercise or create a new printable exercise to practice about synonyms.

eThemes Resource: Writing: Text Structures
These sites explain the different types of text structures that are used in expository writing. The text structures include chronological sequence, comparison/contrast, description, problem/solution, and cause and effect. Read examples of the different types, learn about the common cue words, and download graphic organizers. Includes many teaching tips for improving reading comprehension. There is a link to an eThemes Resource on graphic organizers.

eThemes Resource: Teaching Tips: Decoding Strategies
Learn about decoding strategies for young readers. Find out what decoding strategies are and why they are so important. Also includes teaching tips, handouts for students, and online activities. There is a link to an eThemes resource on sight words.

eThemes Resource: Grammar: Synonyms and Antonyms
These sites have games and puzzles to explain the difference between antonyms and synonyms. Look up synonyms in a thesaurus and learn the part of speech. Read the definition of a synonym and an antonym. Included is an eThemes resource on homophones.

eThemes Resource: Grammar: Prefixes and Suffixes
These sites include interactive games that have students choose which prefixes and suffixes they should add to root words to create new words. Scholastic provides several worksheets for older students. Includes some sites with rules on how to add prefixes and suffixes.