ELA.3.V.1.3

Use context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the meaning of multiple-meaning and unknown words and phrases, appropriate to grade level.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Instruction for this benchmark should include text read-alouds and think-alouds aimed at building and activating background knowledge. Review of words learned in this way is critical to building background knowledge and related vocabulary. Texts read aloud can be two grade levels higher than student reading level. 
Clarification 2: See Context Clues and Word Relationships.

Clarification 3: See ELA.3.R.3.1 and Elementary Figurative Language.

General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 3
Strand: Vocabulary
Standard: Finding Meaning
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5010030: Functional Basic Skills in Communications-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010044: Language Arts - Grade Three (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7710014: Access Language Arts - Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5011030: Library Skills/Information Literacy Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010024: Basic Skills in Reading 3-5 (Specifically in versions: 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010026: Functional Reading Skills 3-5 (Specifically in versions: 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010014: English for Speakers of Other Languages Grade 3 (Specifically in versions: 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
ELA.3.V.1.AP.3: Identify and use picture clues, context clues, word relationships, reference materials and/or background knowledge to determine the meaning of multiple-meaning and unknown words in appropriate to grade-level content at the student’s ability level.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

How does Generative AI work?:

Students will explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the basics on how generative AI models use Large Language Models (LLMs) and Natural Language Processing NLP to generate outputs. This K-3 lesson is an integrated Computer Science, ELA and Math lesson designed for application of math and ELA content knowledge while exploring and using computational thinking to understand how generative AI works, making cross-curricular connections to understand emerging technologies.

Type: Lesson Plan

Abraham Lincoln: Life of Honesty: Words of Freedom:

This is lesson #1 in the text unit series for Abraham Lincoln: A Life of Honesty by Tonya Leslie. Students will be learning vocabulary specific to the content in the text in order to build background knowledge. Students will be using the glossary and background knowledge to define the vocabulary words.

This unit will help students explain why the United States Constitution is an important document that protects the rights of American citizens, the responsibilities of the United States government, and how Abraham Lincoln is an important symbol of the United States Government.

Students will engage in a read aloud spread out over several lessons emphasizing vocabulary, central idea, research, expository and opinion writing, and collaboration in groups.

The teacher will facilitate vocabulary instruction, student research, determination of central ideas, student presentation, expository and opinion writing, and group collaboration to help students demonstrate why the United States Constitution is an important document.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vote: Lesson 1 Voting in the United States:

This is lesson #1 in the text unit series for Vote by Eileen Christelow. Students will be discussing and viewing the powerpoint on the 11 vocabulary words in the text that may be unknown. In addition, students will rotate to centers based on the vocabulary words to complete an activtity meant to strengthen their understanding of the words from the text. These responses will be kept until the end of the unit when they can go back and alter their responses based on previous lessons and the close read. Students will record an exit ticket of what they “think” the author’s purpose will be in the book, Vote.

This unit will explain voting in the United States. Unit lessons include duties of responsible citizens for voting, the voting process, responsibilities of candidates, and voting outcomes. Teacher will utilize a read aloud over several lessons incorporating text structure, text features, figurative language, and the use of multimedia in presentations. Teachers will facilitate research to help students create a presentation.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vote: Lesson 3 Basics of Voting:

Students will connect how school and classroom rules are similar to the United States Constitution in this 3rd lesson in the text unit. When discussing Vote! by Eileen Christelow, students will use the vocabulary words they learned throughout the reading of the text. Students will then complete a graphic organizer to compare and contrast school and classroom rules. Students should make the connection that voting is making your choice heard. The lesson will end with students explaining the importance of voting.

This unit will explain voting in the United States. Unit lessons include duties of responsible citizens for voting, the voting process, responsibilities of candidates, and voting outcomes. Teacher will utilize a read aloud over several lessons incorporating text structure, text features, figurative language, and the use of multimedia in presentations. Teachers will facilitate research to help students create a presentation.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vote: Lesson 4 Why, as Citizens, Do We Need To Vote?:

This is lesson #4 in the text unit series for “Vote”. In this lesson, students will determine multiple meaning words in relation to the text, “Vote” and will choose a class mascot by filling out a “ballot” like they would in a real election. This lesson will help students gain an understanding of the importance of voting and a citizen’s responsibility to vote.

This unit will explain voting in the United States. Unit lessons include duties of responsible citizens for voting, the voting process, responsibilities of candidates, and voting outcomes. Teacher will utilize a read aloud over several lessons incorporating text structure, text features, figurative language, and the use of multimedia in presentations. Teachers will facilitate research to help students create a presentation.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vote: Lesson 7 Election Time:

This is Lesson 7 in the text unit series for Vote! by Eileen Christelow. After a close read of pages 30-33 of the text, students will have the opportunity to voice their choice by voting. Students will create their own ballot to vote on a topic, and then host a mini election in class. Students will also focus on summarizing the text using the central idea and relevant details.

This unit will explain voting in the United States. Unit lessons include duties of responsible citizens for voting, the voting process, responsibilities of candidates, and voting outcomes. Teacher will utilize a read aloud over several lessons incorporating text structure, text features, figurative language, and the use of multimedia in presentations. Teachers will facilitate research to help students create a presentation.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vote: Lesson 2 Why, as Citizens, do we need to Vote?:

This is lesson #2 in the text unit series for Vote! and is an introduction to learning about a citizen's responsibility to vote. This lesson will include a close read of pages 7-12, in which the students will determine the author's claim and will find text evidence to support this claim. Students will utilize vocabulary in context as they learn that it is all citizens' responsibility to be an active member in society by voting for people in an election.

This unit will explain voting in the United States. Unit lessons include duties of responsible citizens for voting, the voting process, responsibilities of candidates, and voting outcomes. Teacher will utilize a read aloud over several lessons incorporating text structure, text features, figurative language, and the use of multimedia in presentations. Teachers will facilitate research to help students create a presentation.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Charlotte's Web: Chapter 1:

In this reading lesson, students will determine the meaning of vocabulary words and explain the development of the main character, Fern, using Chapter 1 of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. Students will respond to the text by writing an opinion paragraph.

Type: Lesson Plan

Poppin' Themes:

Students will learn about theme by exploring classic books such as Where the Wild Things Are and A Chair for My Mother. This will be done using a popcorn and kernels as a guide to how theme works.

Type: Lesson Plan

Amazing Dolphins:

In this lesson, students will explore vocabulary, answer questions about the text, and identify the details and the central idea of an informational text about dolphins. Students will demonstrate their new knowledge about this amazing animal by completing an expository paragraph.

Type: Lesson Plan

Determining the Theme: A Reading of Faithful Elephants:

In this reading lesson, students will work with the teacher and in cooperative groups to read and comprehend Faithful Elephants. Through multiple readings, the students will determine the meaning of words using context clues, discuss questions from the text, and explain the theme of the story by writing an expository paragraph.

Type: Lesson Plan

Point of View: Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg:

During these lessons, students will delve deep into the text Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg. After identifying the point of view in the story, they will answer comprehension questions about the story by playing a small group game. Students will have the opportunity to rewrite the story from a completely different point of view.

Type: Lesson Plan

How to Find a Princess: A Study of The Real Princess by Hans Christian Anderson:

This short text, "The Real Princess," originally told by Hans Christian Anderson, will require students to think deeply, make inferences based on text evidence and learn several new vocabulary words. Students will discuss the components of a fairy tale, play a vocabulary game, and compose an opinion piece of writing about the theme of the story.

Type: Lesson Plan

A Journey with Aesop: The Lion and the Mouse:

Students will listen to the teacher read aloud Aesop's fable "The Lion and the Mouse." They will define vocabulary words and discuss the causes and effects of events in the story. These lessons will culuminte with students writing an expository text about how the lion changes throughout the story by providing details and other required components.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Ballad of Mulan: A Close Reading Activity:

In this lesson, students will read and reread a classic Chinese folktale, The Ballad of Mulan. They will ask and answer text-dependent questions and will recount the events in the story using a story map. Students will determine the theme of the story and analyze Mulan's character development through her actions, thoughts, and feelings along with their contribution to the sequence of events and, ultimately, the theme of the story.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vocabulary Detective:

In this lesson, students will collaborate to use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases. The class will then take a "field trip" around the room to discuss, reflect, and revise previous conclusions. Students will demonstrate their ability to use context clues by defining unknown words in an unfamiliar text.

Type: Lesson Plan

Our Amazing World – Informational Reading:

Students will write a summary of the text Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest by Steve Jenkins. In doing so, students will focus on identifying the central idea and relevant details in the text. Students will participate in vocabulary development activities to aid in the understanding of the informational text.

Type: Lesson Plan

Can You Find a Clue?:

In this lesson students will be working with a new, non-fiction text to identify unknown words and determine their meaning using context clues.

Type: Lesson Plan

Affix-a-Go-Go:

In this lesson, students will use prefixes, suffixes, and root words to create their own Affix Books. Students will use word parts to build new words and determine their definitions. Students will also include meaningful sentences and illustrations in their Affix Books.

Type: Lesson Plan

Crickwing: A Lesson in Using Strong Words to Convey Precise Meaning:

Using the book Crickwing, students will demonstrate understanding of the connection a writer needs to make between the words they use and the meaning they would like the reader to secure.

Type: Lesson Plan

Multiple Meaning Words:

In this lesson, students will explore the concept that many words have multiple meanings. The students will be engaged in activities where they will use reference materials to look up the various definitions of the words and identify their parts of speech, as well as understand how the meaning of the words change depending on the context of the sentence. Students will compose sentences for words with multiple meanings. Students will work independently, as well as with their peers, to gain a better understanding of multiple meaning words and how to identify their correct meanings using reference materials and context clues.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Making Meaning:

Learn how to identify explicit evidence and understand implicit meaning in a text.

You will be able to identify literal and nonliteral words and phrases in sentences and stories. You will also be able to find the meaning or words and phrases by looking carefully at what the author is saying.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Student Center Activities

Vocabulary: Ask-Explain-List:

In this activity, students will demonstrate understanding of words by applying them to a variety of contexts.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Inside Information:

In this activity, students will write simple definitions, sentences, and examples of target words in a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Meaning Exchange:

In this activity, students will identify the meaning of words in context by playing a matching game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Meaning Maker:

In this activity, students will identify unknown words, determine their meaning, and rewrite sentences to demonstrate their understanding.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Multiple Meaning Match:

In this activity, students will identify the multiple meanings of words in context.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Oh My Word!:

In this activity, students will write simple definitions, sentences, and synonyms of words on a recording sheet.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: What-A-Word:

In this activity, students will identify words to complete text.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Express:

In this activity, students will identify the meaning of words in context.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Filler:

In this activity, students will identify words to complete sentences.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Web:

In this activity, students will identify the multiple meaning of words by constructing a web.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Wise:

In this activity, student will determine the meaning of words. NOTE: To fully meet the expectations of the aligned standards, students will need to identify unknown words in text they are reading and use strategies to determine the meanings of the unknown words.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Wrap:

In this activity, students will describe a target word using a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

Text Resources

Case Study: Is there a wrong path?:

Students will use the case study to answer the question "How can personal decisions affect the outcome of different situations?".

Type: Text Resource

Case Study: Teamwork Makes Our Dreams Work:

Using this case study, students can discuss, "How can we solve problems that arise when we work in teams?"

Type: Text Resource

Plants Responding to Different Factors:

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article is a description of how a plant responds to light, gravity, and heat.

Type: Text Resource

Parts of a Plant:

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article describes the function of the different parts of a plant.

Type: Text Resource

Can You Read a Tree?:

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article explains how tree rings are used to determine the Earth's climate many years ago.

Type: Text Resource

Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts - Grades K-5

Making Meaning:

Learn how to identify explicit evidence and understand implicit meaning in a text.

You will be able to identify literal and nonliteral words and phrases in sentences and stories. You will also be able to find the meaning or words and phrases by looking carefully at what the author is saying.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Making Meaning:

Learn how to identify explicit evidence and understand implicit meaning in a text.

You will be able to identify literal and nonliteral words and phrases in sentences and stories. You will also be able to find the meaning or words and phrases by looking carefully at what the author is saying.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.