CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4d

ELA8th GradeVocabulary Acquisition and Use

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

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase from its context. They check a dictionary or another reliable source, then confirm or revise their first interpretation.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students state a likely meaning and point to words in the passage that support it. They select the fitting dictionary sense, then explain how the source confirmed or changed their first idea.
Common Misconceptions: Students often choose the first dictionary definition, even when it does not fit the sentence. They may copy a definition without comparing it with context clues. They may also overlook figurative meanings or phrases that must be checked as a whole.
How to Assess It: Give students a sentence using “austere.” Ask them to infer its meaning, underline context clues, check a dictionary, and explain whether they revised their answer.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a printed paragraph, sticky notes, and dictionaries. They record an initial meaning, check it, then move the note if needed.
Ask, “Which source best confirms your inferred meaning, and what evidence changed or strengthened your thinking?” Students answer with one cited clue.
Run a verification relay. Teams match context sentences to dictionary senses, then earn a point by explaining each match.
Students choose an unfamiliar phrase from a news article, infer its meaning, verify it with two sources, and report any revision.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4d, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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