CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.4
The Standard
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9—10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students work out unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words by using context, word parts, and reference tools. They choose a useful strategy, check the result, and explain their reasoning.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students infer a likely meaning from context, word parts, or both. They confirm it with a reliable reference and explain why that meaning fits better than other definitions.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose the first dictionary definition without checking whether it fits the sentence. They may treat prefixes and roots as complete definitions, or mistake nearby details for useful context clues.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Read, “Her measured response calmed the room.” Define measured, underline the context clue, and explain why “calculated with a ruler” does not fit.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs word cards, context sentences, affix tiles, and dictionary entries; have them build and defend the best meaning for each word.
Discuss: “The prosecutor charged him with theft.” What does charged mean, and which words prove it?
Play Definition Match: teams pair unfamiliar words with meanings, then earn a point by citing a context clue or word part.
Students choose an unfamiliar word from a news article, infer its meaning, verify it online, and report which strategy worked best.
Free download
Printable L.9-10.4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetBefore This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strat...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4
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 strat...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.