Context clues
Use the surrounding sentence to choose the right meaning.
For parents and teachers
About this game
Grade 3 readers use context to decide which meaning of a familiar-looking word is intended. Context clues pairs short sentences with plain definitions, using bark, bank and bat in two different senses each. The letters alone do not settle the meaning: nearby words such as river, check, flew or ball help the reader choose an interpretation that fits the complete sentence. Read A bat flew out at dusk and explain why a piece of sports equipment is not the intended meaning. Then change the sentence to She swung the bat at the ball and identify the clues that changed the interpretation. A dictionary can confirm possible meanings, but the reader still needs to connect a definition to the sentence being read.
Common Core connection: RF.3.3. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
Suggested for ages 8–9. Grade 3 is a starting point, not a rule for every class.
How to play
Read the cards and match each one to its partner. Find six pairs, with no timer. Think about the meaning before choosing.
Step by step
- Read. Read the card, sentence or story clue all the way through.
- Choose. Use the meaning, not a guess from the first word.
- Talk. After the round, explain one choice out loud.
Worked examples
Use the first item as a model. Read it aloud, name the clue that decides the answer, then choose. The same steps work for the next item.
Common mistakes
Choosing too quickly. Slow down and use the whole sentence or clue. A familiar word can still be the wrong choice.
At home
Play one round together, then let the learner try the next round. Ask which words decided the answer.
In class
Use one round as a warm-up. Invite a learner to explain a choice before the next card.
Printable
This on-screen game does not include a worksheet. Practice the same idea with paper and a pencil, using an example from the guide.
Questions
Does this cover a whole standard?
No. It practices one part of the connected standard.