- English Language Arts and Reading
- Grade 5
- Developing and sustaining foundational language skills
use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words;
1. Kuhn, M. R., & Stahl, S. A. (1998). Teaching children to learn word meanings from context: A synthesis and some questions. Journal of Literacy Research, 30(1), 119–138. doi:10.1080/10862969809547983
Summary: This article is an overview of 14 studies that focused on different strategies to improve the students' ability to learn word meaning by using context. The primary findings show that strategy was not a variance in students' learning but practicing the strategy was a factor. The conclusion is that each strategy is of value, but the student must be given ample time to practice the skill.
2. Ehri, L. C., & Rosenthal, J. (2007). Spellings of words: A neglected facilitator of vocabulary learning. Journal of Literacy Research, 39(4), 389–409. doi.10.1080/10862960701675341
Summary: This topic of this study is the importance of spelling in retaining the meaning and pronunciation of words. The authors review theory and evidence, which reveals that spelling is routinely overlooked as a critical element in learning vocabulary.