Context Clues
She said she had a pet tiger, but I suspected she was lying.
What is the meaning of suspected?
Persuade/Inform/Entertain
What is "entertain"
Cake comes in many flavors. You can bake a chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla cake. You can add sprinkles to make a funfetti cake, or cheese to make it a delicious cheesecake!
What is the main idea?
What is "cake comes in many flavors"
Sam sat with his toes deep in the sand, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his cheeks. He lifted his head to the sky and inhaled the fresh scent of salty air, while seagulls soared past, seeking food from the water below.
Where is Sam?
What is "the beach"
If I make a connection to a story based on something that happened in my life, what kind of connection is that?
What is "text to self"
When the teacher called my name, I was so mortified that my face turned bright red.
What is the meaning of mortified?
What is "embarrassed"
Is the author's purpose to Persuade/Inform/Entertain?
What is "inform"
There are a variety of pets a person can own. One of the most popular is a dog. Dogs make great companions by providing protection, exercise, or just a buddy to cuddle at night. However, dogs require a lot of time and care.
What is the main idea?
What is "one of the most popular pets is a dog"
Huffing deeply, Jane ran through the empty halls, groaning as she heard the bell echo off the metal lockers. Her backpack bounced against her back as she ran, hoping to avoid another angry look from her teacher.
Why is Jane running?
What is "she is late to class"
If I connect something in a story to something I heard about on the news, what kind of connection am I making?
What is "text to world"
I saw the bird emerge from the bushes where it was hiding.
What is the meaning of emerge?
What is "to come out"
An article about the dangers of drinking soda every day. Is this to Persuade/Inform/Entertain?
What is "persuade"
What is this paragraph mainly about?
What is "Valentine's Day"
The old man rose at the alarm, which rang at 5 AM every morning. He put on his hat and headed out to the field, a bucket of chicken feed in his hand. He loved the smell of fresh hay and the way the roosters called out with the sunrise.
What does the old man do for a living?
What is "farmer"
After reading a story, I write "This reminds me of a book I read in second grade." What kind of connection am I making?
What is "text to text"
The caustic floor cleaner spilled onto Jimmy's paper, burning a hole through it.
What does caustic mean?
What is "something that burns"
A book about the advantages of going to college, including information about the different colleges you can attend and what each one offers.
Persuade/Inform/Entertain?
What is "persuade"
Mother's Day is a very special day. It is the perfect time to tell your mother how much she means to you. You can create coupons for special treats, or make her a delicious breakfast. Mother's Day is always the second Sunday of May.
Which sentence is the main idea?
What is "Mother's Day is a very special day"
Sara's cheeks burned as she moved toward the stage. Her heart felt like a drum beating against her ribs. Boom, boom, boom. She took a deep breath as she approached the microphone to deliver her speech. Below her, the eyes of her 20 classmates looked up, but it felt like an audience of 200.
What is Sara feeling?
What is "nervous"
What should I do when I make a connection with something while reading a story during STAAR?
What is "write it down"
The ants surrounded the fallen potato chip in a swarm to take back to their nest.
What does swarm mean?
What is "a large group"
A poem about the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus, using a lot of interesting metaphors and sensory language.
Persuade/Inform/Entertain?
What is "entertain"
The butterfly is one of the most unique insects in the world. It begins as a small worm called a caterpillar, before enveloping itself into something called a "chrysalis" using a hard shell known as a cocoon. When it emerges, it is a beautiful butterfly!
Which sentence contains the main idea?
What is "the first sentence"
Dan sat in the hospital bed, staring at the new green cast on his arm. His friends, Joe and Tim, came running into the room laughing. "Wow," said Tim, "I've never seen anyone make a catch like that!" Joe nodded, "Yeah, I can't believe we won the game!" Dan smiled. His mitt would go unused for a few weeks, but it was worth it!
How did Dan break his arm?
What is "playing baseball"
As I'm reading a story about teddy bears, I think to myself "Wow, I still have my favorite teddy bear from when I was a little kid." What kind of connection did I just make?
What is "text to self"