CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.4

ELAKindergartenVocabulary Acquisition and Use

The Standard

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use pictures, nearby words, and familiar word parts to work out meanings. They also decide which meaning of a word fits a sentence.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students choose a meaning that fits the sentence and picture. They explain the clue they used and recognize when the same word has different meanings.
Common Misconceptions: Students may choose a meaning from the picture without checking the sentence. They may think a word can have only one meaning or confuse endings with new words.
How to Assess It: Give students two picture-supported sentences: “The bat flew at night” and “I hit the ball with a bat.” Ask them to explain each meaning and name one clue.

Lesson moves

Have students sort picture cards for bat, bark, and ring under matching sentence cards, then point to the clue that helped.
Ask, “What does light mean in ‘Turn on the light’ and ‘The bag is light’?” Record student explanations.
Play Context Clue Detective by reading short sentences and having students hold up the matching meaning card.
Read a school sign saying “Watch your step,” then compare watch in the sign with a wristwatch.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.4, 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

See the whole path on the Language progression map.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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