Stage 3 reading - Vocabulary in context
Learning focus
Students learn to identify and build meaning of words and their affixes and use contextual clues to determine best word choice.
Syllabus outcome
- EN3-3A: uses an integrated range of skills, strategies and knowledge to read, view and comprehend a wide range of texts in different media and technologies.
National Literacy Learning Progression
Understanding texts
- UnT8: use knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to read and interpret unfamiliar words; identifies how technical and discipline-specific words develop meaning in texts; recognises how the use of antonyms, synonyms and common idiomatic language enhance meaning in a text; understand precise meaning of words with similar connotations (generous, kind-hearted, charitable) (vocabulary)
- UnT9: applies knowledge of root words and word origins to understand the meaning of unfamiliar, discipline specific words;uses a range of context and grammatical cues to understand unfamiliar words (vocabulary)
NAPLAN item descriptors
The relevant NAPLAN item descriptors are included in the resource, available for download on this page.
Task outline
Full task descriptions are included in the resource, available for download on this page.
Task 1: Morphology
Students identify base words, prefixes, suffixes and Greek and Latin roots (four activities).
Task 2: Synonyms and antonyms
Students explore synonyms and antonyms (three activities).
Task 3: Nuance and word clines
Students learn the subtle differences between closely related words (four activities).
Task 4: Cloze
Students complete cloze passages with a particular focus (two activities).
Task 5: Word webs
Students use word webs to define and visually represent words as well as to find antonyms and synonyms for selected vocabulary (four activities).
Task 6: Vocabulary in context
Students determine the correct word choice, justify their choice and offer a subsitution to maintain meaning (three activities).
Task 7: Word gotcha!
Students use morphological, decoding, etymological skills and prior knowledge to create a plausible definition in a game (two activities).
