Discussing and Questioning New Words
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in texts; discuss word meanings and link new vocabulary to words already known
Suggested ages 5–11
Learning journey
Your child is building their word knowledge — asking about unknown words, understanding opposites, recognising how word parts give clues to meaning, and using new vocabulary in their own speech and writing.
Evidence of understanding
- Ask 'What does ___ mean?' when meeting unfamiliar words during reading
- Use context and pictures to work out what a new word might mean
- Explain a new word by connecting it to a known word (e.g. 'enormous means really really big')
Assessment prompt
When Discussing and Questioning New Words comes across a word they don't know in a book, do they try to figure out what it means from the other words around it and connect it to words they already know?
Standards alignment
L.1.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
L.1.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
L.2.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2
L.2.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2
L.3.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3
L.4.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 4
L.5.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 5
L.K.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
L.K.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
RI.1.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
RI.K.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
RL.K.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
Discuss word meanings
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1
Ask questions
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Use dictionaries
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Discuss words and phrases
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Check text makes sense
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Discuss word meanings
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key stage 1