The four most common types of context clues are synonyms, antonyms, explanations and examples. A synonym is a word whose meaning is similar to the vocabulary word; an antonym has its opposite meaning. Use the structure of sentences you read to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word. For example, in a sentence such as "some men are vociferous, while others never object or complain about anything," the context clue is found in the words "some" and "others," which indicate opposite meanings.
A multiple-choice sentence activity will help children learn through context clues. A typical example of this activity involves two sentences: the first contains a vocabulary word, while the second explains the meaning of the word through a natural flow of thought. If the first sentence relays that someone was "penalized," the second sentence can add the detail that the person received a ticket and was fined for a specific violation. Single sentences can also be used to explain a new vocabulary word. For example, a "monstrous" sofa in the first half of a sentence can be described as needing several grown men to move it.
Use "word maps" to learn more about unfamiliar terms. Read a story with your class, giving them basic information of the topic. For a story about the zoo, for example, tell the children they will have to learn to describe the look, feel and action of several animals. Find an advanced word from the story and begin to create a "map" of it: define it, use it in a sentence, list a synonym and antonym. Ask students to make a personal connection to the word, and, finally, have them write their own sentences using the word. The growing vocabulary will better enable them to use parts of a sentence to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Poems and other types of rhyming text can be used to entertain students while familiarizing them with using context clues. In a poem or story that includes talking about someone who makes deliveries at the same time every day, wears a uniform, works for the government and has Sunday off, students can gather the clues together to figure out the story is about a postman.