To help students understand unfamiliar words, they can use the following strategies:
1. Context clues: Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that help readers infer the meaning of unfamiliar words. These clues can be definitions, examples, comparisons, or contrasts that provide insight into the word's meaning. For example, if you read, "The dog was barking loudly," you can infer that "barking" means making a loud noise based on the context of a noisy dog.
2. Prior knowledge or experiences: Drawing upon your existing knowledge and experiences can help you make connections to new words. By relating unfamiliar words to what you already know, you can better grasp their meanings. For instance, if you encounter the word "frigid" and know that it refers to extremely cold temperatures, you can use this prior knowledge to understand its meaning in a sentence like, "The frigid wind chilled me to the bone."
3. Other resources: Utilizing other resources such as dictionaries, thesauruses, online websites, or even asking a teacher or utilizing educational apps can provide additional information and explanations for unfamiliar words. These resources can offer definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and examples to deepen your understanding of the word.
By combining these strategies, students can enhance their vocabulary comprehension and develop stronger language skills.
