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

What This Standard Means

Kindergarteners need to figure out what a new word might mean when they hear it or see it in a book. They use pictures, nearby words, teacher clues, and what is happening in the story or lesson. They also learn that one word can mean more than one thing, like bat or bark.

Mastery looks like a child saying, “I think it means…” and giving a reason from the picture, sentence, or situation. Students often get stuck by guessing from one letter, repeating the whole sentence, or knowing only one meaning of a word and forcing it to fit every use.

Ways to Teach It

  • Use picture cards for words like bark, bat, and ring, then have students sort each card by meaning with a partner.
  • Ask, “What do you think this word means, and what clue helped you?” after reading a page with an unfamiliar word.
  • Show a sentence and two picture choices for one tricky word, then have students point to the meaning that fits.
  • Bring in a menu, map, or classroom tool label, and have students use pictures and context to explain one new word.

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What This Unlocks

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

Related Standards

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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