Context clues worksheets
Aligned with Common Core L.3.4a
Printable third-grade context clue worksheets: a chart of clue types, choosing and writing meanings of new words, underlining the clues in a sentence, and multiple-meaning words.
The worksheets
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Context Clues Chart
Definition, synonym, antonym and example clues, each with a sample sentence and the clue underlined.
Use the Clues
Sentences with a bold word like enormous or timid. Circle its meaning from three choices.
Find the Clue
Underline the words in each sentence that help explain the bold word.
Write the Meaning
Write your own meaning for each bold word on a handwriting line.
Multiple-Meaning Words
Words like bat, bark and trunk used two ways. Decide which meaning each sentence uses.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Context clues are the words around a new word that help explain what it means. A sentence might define the word, give a synonym or an opposite, or list examples. Third graders use these clues to figure out unknown words and to tell which meaning a multiple-meaning word has in a sentence.
What comes next
Text features.
How to teach it
- When you hit a new word while reading, stop and look at the words around it together.
- Look for clue words like or, means, such as, like, but and not.
- Try putting a guess in place of the word and see if the sentence still makes sense.
- Collect multiple-meaning words, like bat and bark, and act out both meanings.
- Praise good guesses that use the clues, even when they aren't exact.
Common mistakes
- Guessing from the first letters of the word instead of the clues.
- Missing an opposite clue, like "not brave," and guessing the reverse meaning.
- Using only the most common meaning of a multiple-meaning word.