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
What This Standard Means
Students need to figure out unfamiliar words and phrases while reading, not just look them up every time. They should use context clues, word parts, grammar, nearby examples, and reference tools. They also need to handle words with more than one meaning and choose the meaning that fits the sentence and text.
Mastery looks like a student explaining how they solved the word, not just giving a definition. They can say which clue helped and revise a first guess when it does not fit. Students often get stuck by choosing the first dictionary meaning, ignoring tone, or skipping over academic words that carry the main idea.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students a short article, highlighters, and five boxed words, then have them mark context clues and write a best-fit meaning.
- Ask students to explain which strategy helped most with a difficult word from today’s reading and why their first guess changed.
- Use an exit ticket with three sentences using the same word differently, and have students identify each meaning with evidence.
- Bring in a job posting or product review, then have students infer unfamiliar terms before checking a dictionary or website.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.4
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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...