Context Clues
What does the word in italics mean?
I thought the math problem was complex, but she thought it was easy?
difficult, hard
Flag Day is an American holiday celebrated on June 14th.
What day is Flag Day celebrated on?
June 14th
What is the main idea?
Homemade pizza is delicious. First, make the dough from flour, water, and yeast. After that, begin making the tomato sauce. Next, add any vegetables you like. Then, bake it in the oven. After a short time, the kitchen begins to smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to eat!
How to make homemade pizza
Simile or Metaphor?
The wind kept pushing them back like an invisible hand.
Simile
Text Evidence:
The students were going on a field trip on Monday, library on Tuesday, and had regular class the rest of the week.
What day did they have library?
Tuesday
What does the word in italics mean?
The waxwing, which is a brown bird, made his home in my tree.
a brown bird
Do you like popsicles? Did you know they were invented by a kid? Not only were they invented by a kid, but it happened by accident! One night in 1905, an 11 year old boy from California named Frank Epperson made a drink for himself by stirring some soda powder with a cup of water. Later, he left the drink outside and went to bed. With the stick still inside the cup, the drink froze during the cold night. When Frank woke up, he had a frozen drink on a stick!
Who invented popsicles?
Frank Epperson
What is the main idea?
If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
There are many ways to make yourself feel better!
Synonym or Antonym?
Boring and dull
Synonym
What is the interjection?
Wow! That must have really hurt!
Wow!
What does the word in italics mean?
The botanist had studied wild plants in the jungle.
Someone who studies plants
We know that summer is almost here when we start to hear those buzzing bees. Although many people are afraid of bees, they are very important to have around. Without them, we would not have honey and there would be less fruit and vegetable plants for us to eat.
Why are bees important insects?
Without bees, we would not have honey and there would be less fruit and vegetable plants for us to eat.
What is the main idea?
I have a dog whose name is Paco. He is almost 10 years old. Paco is very loveable with a brown face and short black fur. He is one of my best friends. He plays with me, sleeps with me, and goes on walks with me. I am so glad to have him around. I love him.
The writer's dog is an important part of his life.
Where should the comma go?
I wanted to go shopping but I had to go to the doctor instead.
I wanted to go shopping, but I had to go to the doctor instead.
Fact or Opinion?
In fall, the trees are the most beautiful.
Opinion
Fill in the blank with an appropriate word to complete the sentence.
The __________ children banged on the pans, played their instruments, and woke up the baby.
noisy, loud, etc.
Although some fish are bigger, like the whale shark, the great white can grow up to 20 feet long. Unlike the calm, slow whale shark that feeds on tiny fish and plants, the great white is speedy and aggressive.
Name one way the great white is different from a whale shark.
What is the main idea?
Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day, and usually not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique, and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live.
Giraffes are unique animals.
Where should the commas go?
My brother Tommy never likes to go to school.
My brother, Tommy, never likes to go to school.
1st or 3rd person narrator?
The man was a terrible dancer. He seemed to be trying hard, but his efforts did not pay off.
3rd person
Fill in the blank with an appropriate word to complete the sentence.
The __________ mayor stole money and took bribes.
corrupt, sneaky, evil, bad, etc.
Kim and her family went to the beach for a summer vacation. They rented a beach house that overlooked the ocean. Every day, she played with a beach ball, looked for seashells to add to her collection, and splashed in the big waves. But her favorite thing to do was build sandcastles!
What are two things Kim liked to do at the beach?
play with a beach ball, look for seashells, splash in big waves, build sandcastles
What is the main idea?
Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success.
The Wright Brothers were inventors who inspired many people.
What is the prepositional phrase?
Sarah sat between Sam and Josh.
between Sam and Josh.
What text feature is at the beginning of a nonfiction work and tells you what will be in the work and on what page you can find certain chapters, sections, or topics?
Table of contents