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
What a learner can do afterwards
- 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')
The lesson
Sometimes you read a word you do not know. Stop and ask, 'What does that word mean?' Asking is smart, not silly.
Mia reads about a giant. The book says the giant is 'enormous.' Mia asks, 'What does enormous mean?' She looks at the picture. The giant looks huge. Enormous means really really big.
You can also connect new words to words you know. Enormous is like saying super big. That helps you remember it.
Ask what a word means. Use clues and connect it to a word you know.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
Nothing; this is a starting point.
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.