Discussing and Questioning New Words
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in texts; discuss word meanings and link new vocabulary to words already known
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
When a new word appears, readers can discuss what it may mean and ask questions about its use, parts, or context.
Choose three unfamiliar or interesting words from a short passage and make a question-and-meaning card for each.
Learning resources
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0 before · 5 after
Before
No prerequisite
This concept
Check understanding
- Ask 'What does ___ mean?' when meeting unfamiliar words during reading
- Use context and pictures to work out what a new word might mean
- Explain a new word by connecting it to a known word (e.g. 'enormous means really really big')
“When your child comes across a word they don't know in a book, do they try to figure out what it means from the other words around it and connect it to words they already know?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Language
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Vocabulary
- Age range
- Ages 5–11
Standards