CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4c
The Standard
Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to use dictionaries, glossaries, and thesauruses on purpose, not just guess from context. They should be able to find a word, check pronunciation, choose the right meaning for the sentence, and use reference tools to clarify key words in reading and writing.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “That meaning does not fit here,” then checking another definition or source. Common sticking points are picking the first definition, ignoring part of speech, skipping pronunciation guides, or using a thesaurus word that sounds wrong in the sentence.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs a printed dictionary and five tricky text words, then have them mark pronunciation, part of speech, and the best-fitting definition.
- Ask students to explain in writing how the meaning of one word changes when used in two different sentences.
- Show three possible definitions for a word from today’s reading, and have students circle the one that fits the sentence.
- Have students use a recipe, game manual, or sports article to find one key word and verify its meaning with a reference tool.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4c
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4c
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- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4c
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