CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4d
The Standard
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students make a smart first guess about an unfamiliar word or phrase, then check that guess. They should use the sentence, nearby clues, word parts, and tone before confirming with a dictionary or another trusted source.
Mastery looks like students explaining both steps: “I thought it meant ___ because ___, then I checked ___.” Students often stop after the first guess, pick the first dictionary definition, or ignore how the word is used in the sentence.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs sticky notes to mark unknown words in a short article, write inferred meanings, then verify each with a dictionary.
- Prompt students: “When has a word in a book or text meant something different than you first thought?”
- Show five sentences with bold words, and ask students to write an inferred meaning plus one source used to verify it.
- Use a restaurant review, sports article, or game instructions, and have students confirm meanings of domain-specific words in context.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4d
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.4d
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.4d
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).