Vocabulary Strategies
Determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases using a flexible range of strategies — including context clues, Greek and Latin affixes and roots, reference materials, and verification of inferred meaning
Suggested ages 11–14
Evidence of understanding
- Use context clues (the overall meaning of a sentence, a word’s position or function) to infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word
- Break down a word using known Greek or Latin roots and affixes to deduce its meaning (e.g., 'malevolent' = mal- (bad) + volent (wishing))
- Look up a word in a dictionary to verify or refine an inferred meaning
Assessment prompt
When Vocabulary Strategies encounters an unfamiliar word in a book or article, can they work out its meaning using context clues, word roots, or a dictionary — and then check whether their guess was right?
Standards alignment
L.6.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 6
L.6.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 6
L.6.4b
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 6
L.7.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 7
L.7.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 7
L.7.4b
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 7
L.8.4
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 8
L.8.4a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 8
L.8.4b
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 8
Learn new vocabulary
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 3