CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4
The Standard
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
What This Standard Means
Students need to figure out unfamiliar words while reading, not just skip them or ask for the answer. They should use nearby clues, word parts, known roots, and a dictionary or glossary when needed. They also need to notice when a word has more than one possible meaning.
Mastery looks like a student explaining the strategy they used and checking that the meaning fits the sentence. Students often get stuck by choosing the first dictionary definition, ignoring tone or context, or guessing from one clue without checking the whole sentence.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs four sentence strips with unknown words, highlighters, and root cards, then have them annotate clues and choose meanings.
- Ask students to write: Which clue helped you most with today’s hardest word, and how did you check your answer?
- Use an exit ticket with three sentences using the same word differently, and have students define the word in each sentence.
- Bring in a school menu, sports article, or game instructions, and have students solve five unfamiliar words using context and reference tools.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strate...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strate...