Vocabulary Development and Context Clues

Understanding vocabulary is no longer just about memorizing words and meanings. Vocabulary development involves using context clues and word equations to assist you in analyzing and determining the meaning of the word. Most of us do not tote around a dictionary as we read. Although it would be good practice it just is not common or practical. Regardless, whether you are a student or avid reader you will eventually come across a word that is simply unfamiliar to you.

Teachers, parents, and students that practice the identification of context clues will greatly enhance their reading comprehension. However, it truly would not hurt for readers to memorize a few affixes, root words and their origins.

Word Equations (prefix-suffix-root words)

Let’s face it not everyone is a spelling bee champion with a memorized list of prefixes, suffixes, root words and their origins. However, this knowledge will help with word equations. Let me give you a few examples;

Read the following sentence,

The stars are innumerable and no one has been able to count them.

write the word innumerable separately on the board and ask a volunteer to divide the prefix, base word and suffix with a line.

innumerable becomes in/numer/able

I would then explain the following through guided questioning;

the prefix in means not

the suffix able literally means able

the base numer means number

Take the responses above to form a sentence;

“not able to number”

This is basically the definition of the word however, it lacks a bit of textual support. Let's take this a step further.

Context Clues

Let’s look at the example again but with an additional approach.

The stars are innumerable and no one has been able to count them.

ask -

What is the noun? The main subject? The stars

What is the verb? The action? To count

What is the conflict? The problem? No one is able to count them

The responses to the questions ARE the context clues for the word innumerable. Plus prior knowledge should tell you that there are many stars.

Now you simply form your response with your clues and word equation.

"not able to number" and "no one is able to count" - Why? There are too many

So what does innumerable mean? Too many to count.

Although it may seem like a lengthy process once you and your students get the hang of it the thought process happens rather quickly. However, word equations may not always work and there are various other approaches to using context clues.

Commas and conjunctions can help identify context clues.

Another clue comes in the form of commas and conjunctions. These usually are a clue that the preceding or following word is a synonym. Sometimes you are given an example of what the word means instead of a synonym. Let me explain;

The comma clue; ghastly

In other films the space creatures are horrible, ghastly beings on a mission to destroy Earthlings.

-the comma is a clue that horrible is most likely an example or synonym of ghastly

The comma and conjunction clue; courteous

You would expect your neighbors to be friendly, or courteous when you first move in.

-the comma and conjunction is the clue that courteous most likely means friendly.

Click the image below for an example of how a vocabulary question might be asked of a middle school student. Following the image I will talk you through the thought process.

The example above is a vocabulary question based on Gary Soto’s, Baseball in April and Other Stories. The excerpt is from the “Marble Champ” chapter.

Readers need to be able to identify context clues when reading text.

the strategy

• The reader must locate the paragraph, identify the word and determine the true definition.
• The strategy I teach my students is to go back about 4 sentences or even a paragraph. I then instruct them to determine the character’s mood, motivation and actions.
• Look at paragraph 4 and 5 in the example above. Analyze the character’s mood, motivation and actions.
• The character seems to lack confidence in her physical or athletic abilities. “....had to use training wheels...” and “...couldn't swim...” and “...roller skating only when father held her hand...” and “...I’ll never be good at sports,”. Her motivation is to line the shelf her father made with awards. How is she going to add awards if she cannot do anything?(describe these scenarios and emotions with your student)
• If you notice the character’s words you realize she is frustrated and fumes that she will “never be good at sports”. So what is her mood? Frustrated. Why? She is not good at sports. What does she want to do? Place awards on the shelf her father made.
• Answer choices - The context clues have nothing to do with definition 1; perfume, definition 2; vapors, or definition 3; smoking. Upon analyzing definition 4; exhibit anger and irritation - you can deduce that this is the correct answer. It supports the context clues as well as the mood of the character. Therefore, the correct answer is D - definition 4; to exhibit anger or irritation.
• By the way, definition 3; smoking is the trick answer. If the reader is thinking figuratively they may determine the answer as meaning smoking mad (idiom) as opposed to fumes that are literally smoking.
• Remember, ALL the definitions in the answer choices mean fumed. The reader needs to realize HOW the word is used and then determine the correct definition.

The example above is a vocabulary question based on Gary Soto’s, Baseball in April and Other Stories. The excerpt is from the “Marble Champ” chapter.

the strategy

• The reader must locate the paragraph, identify the word and determine the true definition.
• The reader should determine the correct point of view and realize that glumly describes the opponent NOT Lupe.
• Who looked glumly? The opponent.
• The context clues/Lupe’s POV; 1. Lupe is playing the winner of the boys division. 2. Lupe is a girl competing against a “winning boy”. 3. Lupe blasted and shattered the marbles. 4. She won
• The reader should determine HOW the opponent feels based on the context clues.
• The context clues/Opponent’s POV; 1. we can assume he is happy since he just won the boys division. 2. Suddenly a girl (Lupe) shatters and blasts his marbles. 3. He lost.
• How do you think the opponent feels? Sad and defeated. Therefore, glumly matches answer choice A. sadly.
• Trick answer choices. If the reader continues to look at this question from the main character’s point of view (Lupe) they will incorrectly choose answers H or J. Answer H; quickly is the possible synonym for blasted. Answer J; excitedly can also be a synonym for describing blasted.

Overall, you must train yourself to be intuitive and insightful. The clues are there - you just have to find them.

Educational hubs by MissOlive include;

• Teaching and Understanding Voice in Reading and Writing
• Teaching Tone and Mood
• Bio-Poems, Transitioning from Reading to Writing
• Happy Idioms
• Angry Idioms
• How to Make Education Videos on a MAC #1

A Personal Narrative as an Educator

• My Daily Struggle is my Labor of Love - Connecting Reluctant and Struggling Readers

MissOlive hubs are written and published by,

marisa hammond olivares, copyright 2011

All rights reserved.