Reading Wrap-Up: Character Traits, Context Clues, & Text Features

What have we been working on? Character traits, context clues, including synonyms & antonyms, and using text features to support our thinking. Here is more information about what students should be able to do with their own texts during independent reading.

Context Clues: Students should be able to figure out the meaning of unknown words by using other information the author has given (context clues). Sometimes the author gives a direct definition, a synonym, an antonym, examples, or an explanation of what is happening in the story.

Context Clues Example: On page 40 of Charlotte's Web, Goose thinks that Wilbur is "a very INNOCENT little pig". We can determine that innocent must mean not knowing about things that go on in life because the author writes "Wilbur doesn't know about life... doesn't know what's going to happen to him... has no idea".

Synonyms & Antonyms: Students should be able to understand what an author means when using a specific word by thinking of other words that would fit in the same context. Sometimes the author will even give synonyms in another sentence to help the reader understand.

Synonym Example: On page 40 in Charlotte's Web, the author writes that "He knew Templeton was getting soaked out there in the pouring rain, but even that didn't comfort him." Another word or phrase for soaked could be "very wet" or "drenched". Both of these would fit in place of soaked and I know that you can get very wet when it is "pouring rain".

Text Features: Students should use text features to help them understand what the author means. While there are many types of text features, some that we have worked on in the last few weeks are: illustrations, table of contents, chapter titles, and bold or italicized words.

Text Features Example: We can better understand what Charlotte means when she says, "Next, I wrap him up" because the illustration on page 38 shows Charlotte completely covering a fly with her "tiny, silken thread". Here is the illustration:

Character Traits: Students should be able to use a character's actions, thoughts, feelings, and words to describe that character using character traits.

Character Traits Example: In the third chapter of Charlotte's Web, we can describe Goose as "bossy". We can say she is bossy because she tells Wilbur to break out of his pen by saying "One of the boards is loose. Push on it... and come on out". Once Wilbur is out, Goose tells Wilber all the places he should go. Goose also tells Wilbur what to do when he is being chased by the dog and Lurvey. Goose yells things like "run-run-run downhill, make for the woods" and "turn and twist...dodge about...skip around". When Wilbur is lured back into the pen, Goose continues to be bossy by trying to yell at Wilbur to keep his freedom and not be fooled by the slops he is being lured with. (Pages 17-23)

Students can practice these same skills when reading their independent texts at school and at home!

Happy Reading!
~Mrs. Coleman