CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.4
The Standard
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use pictures, nearby words, sentence meaning, and familiar word parts to work out a new word. They try different meanings when a word has more than one.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can use a picture, sentence clue, or familiar word part to explain an unfamiliar word. They can select the correct meaning of a word with several meanings.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may guess from the first letter or picture alone. They may choose the most familiar meaning even when the sentence points to another meaning.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Read, “The enormous dog could barely fit through the door.” Write what enormous means and circle the words that helped you.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place mystery objects in bags, give one clue sentence for each, and have students infer and explain the matching word.
Ask, “What could light mean?” Students draw two meanings and write a sentence for each.
Play Context Clue Match by pairing unknown-word cards with clue sentences and explaining each match.
Read signs, menus, or classroom labels, then use pictures and nearby words to work out unfamiliar vocabulary.
Free download
Printable L.1.4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetBefore This Standard
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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