Winter Context Clues Graphic Organizer FREEBIE!

I have been searching high and low for an organizer to fit my needs for working on context clues.  My students are having a hard time identifying HOW they developed their answers.  They have a hard time locating the actual clues.  I took ideas from a variety of sources and put them all together to create one that works for me and my students.

I created one with a fun winter/snow theme to use for the next few weeks!  How will I use it?  I will use this graphic organizer worksheet while reading a text or playing a context clues game.  Students can fill out a row each time we come to a work they do not know the meaning of!  It doesn't need to be completed in one sitting or one activity which is best part!  It can be used with a wide variety of activities/task cards/texts!  I love graphic organizers that can be used so widely!  It teaches students how to use context clues and offers tons of practice!

It is available as a freebie in my TpT store which you can access HERE!

Context Clues Detectives!

I have been working hard to teach my students how to use context clues the last few weeks.  I find the hardest part for my students is to figure out how they developed their answers!  I decided to create an activity to teach help teach them just that!

Using this activity:
-Cards are broken down into 4 different clue types.

-You can work on each clue one at a time or mix them all together and have students identify the type of clue given.

-Visuals are provided as the divider for each clue card section.

-You can use these cards with any motivating game or activity.

-The same graphic is used on the visual/clue type page and the cards that go with it to make it easier for you to grab and use.


-Review worksheets are provided.

You can access this activity in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

Love It & List It: Vocabulary Activities!

It is that time again, another Love It & List It linky party by Jenna over at Speech Room News!  This month the topic is, my favorite, vocabulary!

 I gathered my favorite book, favorite tool, and favorite new game to share!

 My favorite book is "Boris Ate A Thesaurus."  It is a great way to teach synonyms!!!  Have you seen my companion pack for this book?!  Click HERE to check it out!

My favorite tool, if you have not noticed from my MANY blog posts, is the EET!  It is such a great way to teach students new vocabulary and build verbal expression in a multi-sensory approach.  Have you seen THIS post on how I used it to work on non-fiction texts?!

I always like to add a new game each year into my therapy closet.  This year, I was eyeing the game, Hidden Hints on Amazon and went ahead and purchased it!  It is a cute way to work on context clues with a detective theme.  It comes with that cute "briefcase" which is placed in the center of the game.  You can see in the image above the bag of "images."  Each student picks which they want to be their "reward."  Students must take a context clues question card and answer it.  If they are correct, they take a game piece, if not they do not.  Once they get 3 pieces, they can get a "hidden hints" card.  If they can solve the "mystery" using the hints provided they are the winner!  If not, they have to wait until their next turn!  I am so excited to introduce this game this year to my students!

How do you work on vocabulary?!  What are your top three tools, games, and books?!

Glasses Building Vocabulary FUN!

Have fun learning and practicing using new vocabulary words with this fun activity!  

 Goals addressed:
-Context clues
-Synonyms
-Antonyms
-Expressing definitions
-Using new vocabulary in sentences
-Turn taking and other social skills through learning games!

Using this activity:
-Print and laminate the glasses cards.  

-In one lens is a sentence with a bolded/underlined word.  In the next lens are 3 choices for the definition of the vocabulary word.

-Each card has a point value.  When students select the appropriate definition, they can earn that many points.

-Use the “extra points” visual to allow students an opportunity to earn more points by using the new vocabulary words in a variety of ways!  You can allow your students to pick their task, allow them to do as many as they can, or let them roll a dice in order for the task to be selected for them!  The choice is yours!

-Score keeping page is provided!  You can print and laminate to use with dry erase markers!

-New vocabulary worksheet is provided for students to write down the new words learned.  This will help students stay active while other students are taking their turns!  This worksheet can be sent home for review as well if desired.

**Black-and-white activity! No color ink required!


You can access this activity in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

Top Secret! Context Clues Fun! ((and giveaway!!))

Have fun solving the mystery and cracking the code while practicing using context clues!

Using this activity:
-Print, laminate and visually display the “confidential” file.  On one side should say the word “confidential” and on the other side should be the “code” for students to figure out.  

**You can also use a file folder and put the "confidential" image on the front, and the code to crack as well as the visual aid on the inside** 

-Each card will contain a sentence with a bolded/underlined word.  

-Students must identify the meaning of that word using their context clues strategies.  If they respond correctly, there will be a letter provided on their card.  They may hold onto their “clue.”  If students respond incorrectly, the card with their “clue” should go back in the pile to be tried again.  Once all of the cards are used, students should work together to unscramble the letters to “crack the code” or solve the mystery!

-2 levels are provided with 2 codes to crack!  First level is recommended for grades 2-4 and the second level is recommended for grades 5-8.


-A review worksheet is provided for each level.

You can access this activity in my TpT store by clicking HERE!

Want to win this activity so you can use it next year or over the summer?!  Enter to win below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fiesta Fun: Context Clues!

People are always asking me to create more context clues activities.  Since this is one skill I am constantly working on in my speech room, I decided to make an activity for Cinco de Mayo!

Using this activity:

-Print and laminate all of the cards.

-Have students one at a time pick a card from the pile.

-They must identify the meaning of the bolded word from the choices provided in order to hold onto the card.

-If they pick the “fiesta” card, they get an extra turn!
The student with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner!

You can access this activity by clicking HERE!

Context Clues Games!

Since my Main Idea Games and Wild Context Clues Fun activities are such a hit, I have decided to create a 2-in-1 context clues games just for you!

In this file:

-Visual to assist

-Context Clues BINGO:  Print and laminate the BINGO cards for each student.  Then print and cut the sentence cards.  Read to or have student read each card.  They must listen and locate the meaning of the unknown word on their BINGO board.  Keep going until a student gets 5 in a row!

-Context Clues Jeopardy:  Print and laminate the Jeopardy board.  Print and laminate the “candy cover tokens.”  Use the candy tokens or BINGO chips to cover up when a point value has been used.  Print and laminate the task cards.  You can keep them in piles by color to help locate them when students request them.  Students can take turns picking a category and a point value.  Locate the corresponding task card.  Students must express the meaning of the unknown word in order to receive the points.  You can keep track of points on a separate paper or board.  As students respond, students on both teams can complete the “note-taking sheet” with the meaning of the unknown word.   Students can go back and forth picking and responding until all cards are used (or time runs out). 

-Review worksheets: as you can see one is multiple choice and the other has lines for students to develop their own responses.  I gave plenty of lines so students can even write their "clues."

You can access this download in my TpT store by clicking HERE!!

St. Patrick's Day Word Fun!

I know it is a long way off but I wanted to help those that plan way in advance!  I created my popular word fun downloads with a St. Patrick's Day theme!


Have fun practicing receptive and expressive language skills with this fun download!

In this file:

-Where’s the shamrock?  Practice answering “where” questions and using prepositions with this card game.  If a student picks the card, “luck of the Irish,” students will get an extra turn!  The student with the most cards at the end will be the winner!

-Why Questions Board Game:  Students can practice responding to “why” questions using this fun board game.  Visual provided.

-Lucky Context Clues:  Students will pick a card and use their context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word.  Each card has a point value.  The students will add up the points when the game is over.  The student with the most points is the winner!

-Lucky Definitions:  Students will pick a card.  A word will be provided for them to define.  Students should be encouraged to use the visual provided to instruct in different ways to define words provided.  For each definition stated, they will get a point.  At the end, the students with the most points is the winner!

-Green Things Word Search:  Practice categorizing items by color and have fun with this worksheet!

Grab this fun download HERE!

Wicked Word Fun- Context Clues!

I purchased some more Halloween themed clip art and had to create a new activity that I can use with my older students.  It is very hard to find motivating activities for this age group.  I did my research on vocabulary grades 4 and 5 are expected to know and understand.  Introducing, Wicked Word Fun - Context Clues!

What does this activity pack include?  It has a visual of the different types of clues to look or listen for.  Feel free to use this visual as a way to introduce and review.

Then there is a card game to practice this skill.  One each card, there is a sentence or two with a word that is bolded and underlined.  Student must determine which clue was provided and select the meaning from the choices.  The students select a card from a pile, bag, or other motivating option.  You can decide if you want the student reading or listening.  If you want to use this as an auditory comprehension activity, you can read it or the students can read it to each other. 

There are Peek-a-Boo cards included.  You can decide if you want to make students lose a turn, get a bonus turn, or lose their cards.  The choice is yours!

To review, I have included a worksheet with two more words to determine the meaning of.  You can use this for home practice or to just review at the end of the session after playing the game.

I hope you find the vocabulary challenging enough for your older students.  I worked hard to find the perfect words to use!  Special thanks to my previewers of this activity.  They had great feedback!  Check out this activity at my TpT store!