CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4d
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 need to make a smart first guess about an unknown word or phrase, then check that guess. They should use nearby clues, word parts, and the sentence’s meaning, then confirm with a dictionary, glossary, or another reliable source.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “I thought it meant annoyed because of the sentence, and the dictionary meaning fits.” Students often stop after guessing, pick the first dictionary definition without checking context, or ignore phrases whose meanings are not literal. They need practice matching the definition to the exact sentence.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs five sentence strips with bold words, then have them write a guess, check a dictionary, and revise if needed.
- Ask students to explain: When has a word looked familiar but meant something different in a sentence?
- Use an exit ticket with one unknown word in context, asking for a guess, evidence, dictionary check, and final meaning.
- Show a product review or sports article sentence, then have students verify the meaning of one tricky word before paraphrasing it.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4d
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.6.4d
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.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).