Context Clue Activities for Middle or High School

Help your students use context clues! Understanding how to determine the meaning of an unknown word is essential to the Common Core. Struggling readers will particularly benefit from extra practice.

Here's what's included in the listing:

• A presentation that reviews 4 types of context clues: definition, synonym, antonym, and inference. There are practice sentences at the end. The presentation is available as both a PowerPoint and Google Slides.

• A version of the presentation as an interactive PearDeck with the correct answers embedded. To use this activity, you will need the PearDeck add-on.

• Five worksheets, available as both Word documents and Google Docs. An answer key is included.

- Activity 1 (10 questions): Students determine the meaning of nonsense words using context clues. Students write the definitions of the words and highlight the clues in the sentence. This activity is available FOR FREE by downloading the preview!

- Activity 2 (10 questions): A multiple-choice worksheet where students use context clues to choose the correct definition of real words that are probably unfamiliar.

- Activity 3: Students write definitions of nonsense words and use them in sentences. Students' sentences need to include enough context clues so that a partner can correctly guess the definitions of the words.

- Activity 4 (10 questions) : Students determine the meaning of words using context clues. This is the same as Activity 1, but with using real words students are probably unfamiliar with.

- Activity 5: Students read 3 short passages that include nonsense words and use context clues to guess their meanings.

One challenge I have had is that sometimes, my students already know the meaning of words in context clue worksheets. Using nonsense words forces students to use the context clues instead of their prior knowledge. In the two worksheets that use real words, I tried to choose words that students in grades 7-10 would be unlikely to know.

All documents are editable in case you want to make adjustments to better fit your classroom!