Word Meanings | Teacher Guide

FL B.E.S.T. Standard ELA.6.V.1.3

Apply knowledge of context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

Use multiple types of context clues (definition, example, synonym, antonym, inference) to determine word meanings
Apply knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes to determine meanings of unfamiliar words
Distinguish between denotation (dictionary definition) and connotation (emotional associations)
Analyze how word choice affects meaning and tone in texts
Select the most appropriate word meaning based on context when words have multiple meanings
Use reference materials to verify word meanings and usage

Essential Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Student-Friendly Explanation
Context Clues	Words or phrases surrounding an unknown word that hint at its meaning	The detective words around an unfamiliar word that help you figure it out
Denotation	The literal, dictionary definition of a word	What the word actually means - the basic definition
Connotation	The emotional feeling or association a word carries	How a word makes you feel - the positive or negative vibe
Root	The base part of a word that carries the main meaning	The core part of a word that other parts attach to
Prefix	A word part added to the beginning of a root	Letters added BEFORE a word that change its meaning
Suffix	A word part added to the end of a root	Letters added AFTER a word that change its meaning or part of speech
Multiple-Meaning Word	A word that has more than one definition	A word that means different things in different contexts

Essential Greek and Latin Roots for Grade 6

Root	Origin	Meaning	Examples
aud	Latin	hear	audience, audible, auditorium
bio	Greek	life	biography, biology, antibiotic
dict	Latin	say, speak	dictate, predict, dictionary
graph/gram	Greek	write	paragraph, telegram, autograph
port	Latin	carry	transport, portable, export
spec/spect	Latin	see, look	inspect, spectator, perspective
tract	Latin	pull, drag	attract, subtract, tractor
rupt	Latin	break	interrupt, erupt, corrupt

Lesson Sequence (5-10 Minute Mini-Lessons)

Day	Focus	Activities
1	Types of Context Clues	Introduce CLUES strategy (Context, Look for clues, Understand, Examine, Substitute). Use Student Concept Worksheet.
2	Greek and Latin Roots	Teach root/prefix/suffix analysis. Practice breaking down unfamiliar words.
3	Denotation vs. Connotation	Explore how words with similar denotations have different connotations and effects on tone.
4	Multiple-Meaning Words	Practice using context to select the correct meaning. Complete Practice Worksheet.
5	Assessment	Administer FAST Format Quiz. Review and reteach as needed.

Teaching Strategies

Strategy 1: CLUES Method for Context Clues

Teach students this step-by-step approach:
Circle the unknown word
Look at the surrounding sentences
Understand what type of clue is given (definition, example, synonym, antonym, inference)
Examine the clue to form a prediction
Substitute your prediction - does it make sense?

Strategy 2: Word Part Analysis

Teach the "Break It Down" method:
1. Identify any prefix (beginning)
2. Identify the root (middle)
3. Identify any suffix (ending)
4. Combine the meanings
Example: un (not) + break (break) + able (able to be) = "not able to be broken"

Strategy 3: Connotation Spectrum

Create a spectrum line from negative to positive. Place synonyms along the spectrum to show how similar words carry different feelings:
Negative -------- Neutral -------- Positive
stubborn -------- determined -------- persistent -------- strong-willed
cheap -------- inexpensive -------- affordable -------- thrifty

Strategy 4: Word Choice Detective

Give students passages and ask: "Why did the author choose THIS word instead of another?" Have them identify the connotation and explain how a different word choice would change the meaning or tone of the passage.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Context clues always give exact definitions

Correction: Context clues often provide hints, not definitions. Students must make inferences and use multiple clues together. Teach them to make educated guesses and verify with substitution.

Misconception: All words with the same root mean the same thing

Correction: Roots provide a hint about meaning, but prefixes, suffixes, and context significantly change the word. "Dictate" and "contradict" both have "dict" (say/speak) but mean very different things.

Misconception: Connotation doesn't matter if the denotation is correct

Correction: Word choice significantly affects tone and meaning. Saying someone is "childish" vs. "childlike" communicates very different messages even though both relate to children.

Misconception: The first dictionary definition is always the right one

Correction: Words have multiple meanings, and context determines which definition applies. "Bank" can mean a financial institution OR the side of a river. Students must use context to select the appropriate meaning.

Differentiation Strategies

For Struggling Learners

Provide a reference chart of common roots, prefixes, and suffixes
Use visual clue cards showing context clue types with examples
Start with obvious context clues before moving to inferential ones
Create sentence frames: "Based on the context clue ___, I think ___ means ___"

For Advanced Learners

Explore etymology and word histories
Analyze sophisticated texts with nuanced vocabulary
Compare word choice across different authors' writing styles
Have students write passages using specific connotations to achieve desired effects

FAST Test Connection

On the FAST assessment, vocabulary questions typically ask students to:

Determine the meaning of a word or phrase as used in a specific passage
Identify the type of context clue that helps reveal meaning
Analyze how word choice contributes to tone or meaning
Distinguish between different meanings of multiple-meaning words
Apply knowledge of word parts (roots, prefixes, suffixes) to determine meaning

Key Strategy: Train students to always return to the passage and find evidence for their answer. The correct meaning is determined by HOW the word is used in THAT specific context.

Word Meanings - Teacher Guide