LAFS.5.L.3.4Archived Standard

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Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  1. Use context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  2. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
  3. Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.
General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts
Grade: 5
Strand: Language Standards
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Cluster: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Date Adopted or Revised: 12/10
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications
  • Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: EBSR , MS , ST , MC item(s)
    • Assessed with: LAFS.5.RL.2.4, LAFS.5.L.3.5
    Also assesses: LAFS.5.RF.3.3 and LAFS.5.RF.4.4
  • Assessment Limits :
    Items may ask the student to use the text to determine the meaning of words and phrases. Items should ask the student to consider literal and figurative meanings of words. Items may ask the student to use context clues including Greek and Latin roots or affixes to determine the meaning of a word. Items may ask the student to interpret figurative language. Items may ask the student about nuances of word meanings as well as the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. Items may ask the student to determine the relationship between words in order to increase understanding. Items should focus on words and phrases that are central to the meaning of text. Items should not exclusively ask the student to determine the meanings of basic, everyday words and phrases that commonly appear in spoken language.
  • Text Types :
    The items assessing these standards may be used with one or more grade-appropriate literary texts. Texts may vary in complexity.
  • Response Mechanisms :
    The Enhanced Item Descriptions section on page 3 provides a list of Response Mechanisms that may be used to assess this standard (excluding the Editing Task Choice item type). The Sample Response Mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, the examples below.
  • Task Demand and Sample Response Mechanisms :

    Task Demand

    Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Selectable Text

    • Requires the student to select words or phrases from the text that show the meaning of words used in the text.
    • Requires the student to correctly identify the meaning of a word or phrase and then to select words or phrases from the text that provide clues to the meaning of that word. 
    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the meaning of a word or phrase used in the text. 
    EBSR
    • Requires the student to select the meaning of a word or phrase and then to select words or phrases from the text that support the correct meaning. 
    Multiselect
    • Requires the student to select words, phrases, or quotations that show the meaning of words used in the text. 

    Task Demand

    Use common Greek and Latin text. affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Multiple Choice

    • Requires the student to select the meaning of words used in the text that include a Greek or Latin affix or root. 
    Multiselect
    • Requires the student to select a Greek or Latin affix or root that shows the meaning of words used in the text.
    Task Demand

    Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    EBSR

    • Requires the student to select one or more examples of figurative language and then to select the correct explanation of their meaning. 
    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of figurative language. 
    Selectable Text
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of figurative language and then to select words or phrases from the text to support the meaning.
    Task Demand

    Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs or nuances in word meaning.

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    EBSR

    • Requires the student to select the meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb and then to select words or phrases from the text to support the meaning. 
    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb or to recognize nuances in word meaning. 
    Selectable Text
    • Requires the student to select the correct meaning of an idiom, adage, or proverb and then to select words or phrases from the text that support that meaning.
    Task Demand

    Use the relationships between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words. 

    Sample Response Mechanisms

    Multiple Choice
    • Requires the student to select the meaning of the word using a synonym, antonym, or homograph. 
     Multiselect
    • Requires the student to identify all related words from a list.

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5010010: English for Speakers of Other Languages-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated))
5010020: Basic Skills in Reading-K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 and beyond (current))
5010030: Functional Basic Skills in Communications-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5010046: Language Arts - Grade Five (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7710016: Access Language Arts - Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Close Reading of the National Geographic article "Animal Farm":

In this lesson, students will complete a close reading of "Animal Farm," a nonfiction article found online at National Geographic that describes the incredible work one man accomplished as he turned a cattle ranch in Costa Rica into a national wildlife refuge. The students will conduct three close readings of the article, each time for a different purpose. The students will create vocabulary charts and find evidence in the article to answer a set of text-dependent questions. Students will then write an informative essay where they explain how the work of Jack Ewing changed this land. Sample responses are provided along with a writing response rubric.

Type: Lesson Plan

Not Such a Secret: Summarizing, Central Idea, and Vocabulary:

In this lesson, students will be read the non-fiction article, "A Well-Kept Secret." The students will work to determine the meaning of selected vocabulary from the article and find evidence in the passage to answer a set of text-dependent questions. Students will also explain how the relevant details support the central ideas and summarize the article.

Type: Lesson Plan

Save the Plants!:

This MEA asks the students to design a system to water plants using rain water. Students apply their knowledge of the water cycle and grade specific content vocabulary to label and justify their design. Students also use context clues and dictionary skills to define the term permeability.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Affix-a-Go-Go:

In this lesson, students will use prefixes, suffixes, and root words to create their own Affix Books. Students will use word parts to build new words and determine their definitions. Students will also include meaningful sentences and illustrations in their Affix Books.

Type: Lesson Plan

Close Reading Exemplar: "The Making of a Scientist":

The goal of this two to three day exemplar is to give students the opportunity to use the reading and writing habits they've been practicing on a regular basis to absorb deep lessons from Richard Feynman's recollections of interactions with his father. By reading and rereading the passage closely, and focusing their reading through a series of questions and discussion about the text, students will identify how and why Feynman started to look at the world through the eyes of a scientist. When combined with writing about the passage, students will discover how much they can learn from a memoir.

Type: Lesson Plan

It's Greek to Me!:

Students will use Greek root words, suffixes and prefixes, to 'create' polysyllable words.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

What's the Meaning of This?:

Meet Detective Brown! He and his friends are all detectives.You know, readers are just like detectives. Detectives try to solve mysteries when they're on a case and readers try to solve mysteries when they're trying to determine the meaning of what they're reading. Just like detectives, readers need to look for clues to help them figure out the meanings of unknown words and phrases. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to use context clues to help you understand the meaning of a word or phrase.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Student Center Activities

Vocabulary: Rooting for Meaning!:

In this activity, students will identify the meaning of roots while playing a match game. As an extension activity, students will use roots to create words.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Affix Game:

In this activity, students will make words containing affixes and use them in a sentence to show meaning while playing an affix game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Make it Meaningful:

In this activity, students will determine and record the meanings of words with affixes. They will then sort them by affix meaning.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Dissect:

In this activity, students will segment words into base words and affixes to determine the meaning.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Meaningful Affixes:

In this activity, students will make words to match meanings by combining base words and affixes.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Affix Concentration:

In this activity, students will match affixes to their meanings by playing a memory game.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: All For One:

In this activity, students will produce the multiple meanings of words and use the words in sentences that demonstrate understanding of the multiple meanings.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Ask-A-Word:

In this activity, students will demonstrate a deeper understanding of the meaning of words by completing a questionnaire.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Choice Meanings:

In this activity, students will identify the meaning of words in context.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Cloze Encounters:

In this activity, students will choose words based on meaning to complete sentences in a cloze passage.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Context Clues:

In this activity, students will read sentences containing context clues and sort by the type of context clue.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Defining Depictions:

In this activity, students will depict words by drawing pictures that relate to their meaning.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Dictionary Cube:


In this activity, students will identify the meaning of words and word-related information using a dictionary.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Dictionary Digs:

In this activity, students will look up target words in a dictionary and record specific information.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Get a Clue!:

In this activity, students will determine the meanings of unknown words using context clues.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Getting to the Root of It:

In this activity, students will identify words with common roots and related meanings and sort them on a sorting board.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Know or No:

In this activity, students will sort words based on their understanding of the words' meanings. They will then determine the meanings of the words and record them.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Looking for Meaning:

In this activity, students will determine the meanings of unknown words and rewrite sentences from text to demonstrate their understanding.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Meaning Extender:

In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of words by applying them to a variety of contexts.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Oh My Word!:

In this activity, students will write simple definitions, sentences, and synonyms of words on a recording sheet.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Root-A-Word:

In this activity, students will identify and sort words containing the same root.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Root-O!:

In this activity, students will produce words containing the same root and identify their meanings.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Undercover Meanings:

In this activity, students will write simple definitions, sentences, and examples of target words in a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: What Do You Mean?:


In this activity, students will match words to their meanings.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Clues:


In this activity, students will use reference materials to develop clues about target words. They will provide the clues to a partner until the target word is identified.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Share:

In this activity, students will find, discuss, record, and define selected words in a text.

Type: Student Center Activity

Vocabulary: Word Winner:

In this activity, students will use strategies to identify the meanings of unknown words in context.

Type: Student Center Activity

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade poetry unit using the book Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art by Belinda Rochelle. This poetry unit addresses genre, main idea, tone, theme, author's purpose, and figurative language. The unit concepts are supported through a student packet, which includes worksheet activities and graphic organizers.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

"The Wizard of Oz" 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade unit on the novel The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The unit explores fantasy fiction, setting, effects of character decisions, plot, conflict, and theme. The student packet that accompanies the unit includes graphic organizers and worksheets to assist with reinforcing the unit concepts.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

"Dogs Don't Tell Jokes" 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade novel unit on Dogs Don't Tell Jokes by Louis Sachar. A variety of concepts are explored throughout the unit, including genre, characters, relationships, prediction, textual evidence, plot conflict, and theme. The student packet provides graphic organizers and worksheets that can assist with implementing the unit concepts.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

The Story of Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball:

This is a fifth grade book unit on The Story of Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball by Margaret Davidson (Lexile 760). The unit features a series of lessons titled: Distinguish Between Biography and Autobiography; Author's Opinion; Retelling a Life; Events and Effects; Text Features. The resource also includes an 18-day pacing guide, student resource packet and answer keys, and a unit assessment and answer keys.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

The Great Gilly Hopkins 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade unit on the novel The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson. Several concepts are explored throughout this lesson, including plot, conflict, prediction, characters, theme, and relationships. The student packet and accompanying materials provide practice with these concepts.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Riding Freedom 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade unit on the historical fiction novel Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan. Several concepts regarding the novel are explored, including genre, setting, real-world connections, and effects of a character's past. The student packet and accompanying materials provide ample opportunities for practice.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade novel unit on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The unit incorporates instruction relating to the novel's setting, characters, plot, and theme - as well as the basic elements of fantasy fiction. The student packet that accompanies the unit provides some additional structure for the lesson content.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Maniac Magee 5th Grade Unit:

This is a fifth grade unit on the novel Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Graphic organizers, charts, comprehension and vocabulary worksheets, and authentic collaborative activities are used to enhance interaction with the novel. Several concepts are pursued, including theme, conflict, relationships, plot, and characters.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

5th Grade Novel Unit: Bridge to Terabithia:

In this novel unit, broken up into seven lessons, students will learn about the genre of realistic fiction, making predictions, identifying plot conflicts, analyzing character relationships, examining gender roles, determining themes, and tracking character changes through reading and discussing the novel Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Lexile 810).

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Virtual Manipulative

Online Practice of Words with Multiple Meanings:

These online activities ask students to explore the use of words with multiple meanings. There are two sample worksheets provided on building vocabulary and remembering new words. In addition, there is a video on multiple meanings. Students will enjoy this online practice!

Type: Virtual Manipulative

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Save the Plants!:

This MEA asks the students to design a system to water plants using rain water. Students apply their knowledge of the water cycle and grade specific content vocabulary to label and justify their design. Students also use context clues and dictionary skills to define the term permeability.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts - Grades K-5

What's the Meaning of This?:

Meet Detective Brown! He and his friends are all detectives.You know, readers are just like detectives. Detectives try to solve mysteries when they're on a case and readers try to solve mysteries when they're trying to determine the meaning of what they're reading. Just like detectives, readers need to look for clues to help them figure out the meanings of unknown words and phrases. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to use context clues to help you understand the meaning of a word or phrase.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

What's the Meaning of This?:

Meet Detective Brown! He and his friends are all detectives.You know, readers are just like detectives. Detectives try to solve mysteries when they're on a case and readers try to solve mysteries when they're trying to determine the meaning of what they're reading. Just like detectives, readers need to look for clues to help them figure out the meanings of unknown words and phrases. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to use context clues to help you understand the meaning of a word or phrase.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.