Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This lesson supports the development of the key reading skill of using context to understand unfamiliar words or phrases. Specific reading strategies are modelled in a teacher-led activity, then students will work in pairs to apply the strategy while reading a separate section of the same text. Students will share their work with their peers and reflect on the activity and their own approach to it. This lesson is designed to provide valuable practice for NAPLAN, the national literacy test held in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9*.
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Learning intention:
- Students will be able to use context clues found in a text to develop their understanding of unfamiliar vocabulary or familiar vocabulary used in an unfamiliar context.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
- Understand how to use spelling rules and word origins, for example Greek and Latin roots, base words, suffixes, prefixes, spelling patterns and generalisations to learn new words and how to spell them (ACELA1539)
- Use comprehension strategies to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information, critiquing ideas and issues from a variety of textual sources (ACELY1723)
Syllabus outcomes: EN4-3B, EN4-2A.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy.
Relevant parts of Year 7 English achievement standards: Students demonstrate understanding of how the choice of language features, images and vocabulary affects meaning.
Topic: NAPLAN Preparation.
Unit of work: Faber-Castell – NAPLAN Preparation.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – roam while students completing independent task. At times you may provide a vague definition of a word, support them to find further clues, and discuss the importance of trying to develop an understanding of the precise meaning of a word.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. Vocabulary Definitions – Worksheet. Vocabulary Definitions – Answers. Faber-Castell – Colour Theory & Techniques.
Keywords: NAPLAN, English, vocabulary, definition, meaning, word, phrase, antonym, synonym, similar meaning, opposite meaning, prefix, illustration, diagram, synthesise.
*This lesson plan is not an officially endorsed publication of NAPLAN’s creators and administrators – the ACARA body – but is designed to provide practise for the Australian Curriculum’s compulsory NAPLAN testing scheme.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation
