New York State Elementary Test Prep- ELA 4- Kindergarten

What do you do when you are reading and you come across a word you don't know? What happens when you don't know the meaning of the word?

Worm reading a book, sitting on an apple.

Here are some tips to help you with those unfamiliar words, or words you aren't sure of, to help you determine, or figure out, the meaning.

	Read on, do not give up!
	Pay close attention to the words after the word you aren't sure of. Many times these words will tell you the definition.
	If you think you know what the word means, go back and reread the sentence. Instead of using the word you aren't sure of, read the sentence using the definition and see if that makes sense. Look below for an example.

Look at the tips above as we try this one together.

"Here are some tips to help you with those unfamiliar words, or words you aren't sure of, to help you determine, or figure out, the meaning."

Hmmm...what is this word...unfamiliar?

	Look at the words, "unfamiliar words."
	In the same sentence, it reads "words you aren't sure of."
	Now reread the sentence using the new words. "Here are some tips to help you with those words you aren't sure of." Does that make sense? It sure does! So, unfamiliar means you aren't sure of something! Let's try another one.

Read the following sentences. Pay close attention to the bolded word and the words that follow the bolded word.

The mammoth whale swallowed, the tiny fish. The fish squirmed and moved all around. The whale looked very large next to the tiny fish.

	Look at the word, "mammoth."
	The last sentence also describes the whale as looking "very large..."
	Now reread the sentence using the new words. "The very large whale swallowed the tiny fish." Does that make sense? It sure does! Mammoth means very large! Great job!

Click on the boy to go to the practice page!!


Created by Kristyn Harrison Updated by Marie Smith