When helping students understand how to search for and use context clues to define unfamiliar vocabulary, it is first important to share the goal and purpose with them. It is essential that students understand that part of growing one’s vocabulary means learning new words within the context of a sentence. After all, all readers can add to their depth of vocabulary by interacting with diverse and rigorous texts.
After establishing the purpose for learning, it is helpful to use two acronyms to prepare students with strategies that they can use to understand words they may not recognize. Those two acronyms include LEADS and IDEAS.
LEADS stands for Logic, Examples, Antonyms, Definition, and Synonyms
IDEAS stands for Inference, Definition, Examples, Antonyms, and Synonyms
Using Logic and Inferencing
Both strategies are similar in that they encourage students to use “logic” and “inferencing skills” in order to make a relevant conclusion about what an unknown word might mean based on what they are reading.
In other words, students must be prompted to anticipate the definition based on the context of the sentence itself, those that surround it, and the story as a whole.
Using Examples as Context Clues
It is important to also direct students to examples that the sentence may include. When examples are used as context clues, students can make better and more precise inferences about what an unfamiliar word might mean.
For instance, this sentence uses an example that can help the student determine the meaning of the word:
“Breeds, like Huskies and Poodles, make for excellent pets for any family who likes to enjoy walks and games of fetch.”
The word “breeds” is followed by the example, “like Huskies and Poodles,” which can help the reader determine the meaning of the word “breeds.”
Synonyms as Context Clues
Synonyms also help learners determine the meaning of unknown words.
For example, this sentence uses a synonym in order to help the reader understand the meaning of the word:
“Kira, my pet iguana, is very friendly and sociable, as she likes to hang out with my other pet iguana, Lucy.”
The word “friendly” precedes the word “sociable,” and an example to clarify the meaning of the unknown word.
Antonyms as Context Clues
Antonyms, when evaluated as a context clue, also help learners determine the meaning of unknown words when they oppose others in a sentence.
For instance, this sentence uses an antonym.
“George was against staying up late, but Connie advocated for staying up late to see the full moon.”
The word “advocated” follows the word “against,” so readers can determine that “advocate” will mean the opposite. The signal word “but” also helps, too!
Definitions as Context Clues
Definitions are great context clues that clarify the meaning of unknown words. Readers are very lucky when one of the context clues is a definition!
To illustrate, this sentence includes a definition.
“Ernie is voluble, or very talkative, and I love listening to his stories.”
The words “very talkative” define an unfamiliar word, “voluble” in plain sight for the reader.
Using both the LEADS and IDEAS strategies during instruction can help your students work through a helpful and simple process to decode the meaning of unknown words.
While context clues help students determine the meaning of a specific word, they also serve to boost inference skills as students navigate challenging texts that have sentences, segments, or paragraphs that are more complex.
