Context Clues

Context clues are hints or definitions that a writer uses in the text to help the reader understand the meaning of new or unfamiliar words. These clues can appear within a sentence, a paragraph, or in other areas of a passage. Want to learn more about Context Clues? Here’s a refresher on the different types of context clues.

Biography: George Washington

One of the greatest heroes of American history is George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and first President of the United States. This story is about his life. ————————————— George had shown that he could do the work of a man on the farm…

The Story of the Three Bears

Once upon a time there were Three Bears, who lived together in a house of their own, in a wood. One of them was a Little, Small, Wee Bear; and one was a Middle-sized Bear, and the other was a Great, Huge Bear. They had each a pot for their…

Stop That Noodle!

Mario and his brothers were cooking dinner as a surprise for their parents. Vincent was stirring the spaghetti as it cooked in a pot of hot water. Joseph was opening the jar of fresh tomato sauce his mother had made from scratch. And Mario was trying to keep little Johnny…

Delos

This story from Greek mythology uses many of the Roman names for the gods. Zeus is called Jupiter, Hera is called Juno, and Neptune is the Roman name for Poseidon. —————————– Long before you or I or anybody else can remember, there lived with the Mighty Folk on the mountain…

Robert Louis Stevenson: Pirate Tales, Treasure Maps, and Monsters

Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was very sick as a child. He suffered from fevers and coughs which confined him to bed. His imagination kept him company. He loved listening to stories and dreaming up stories. Robert’s father wanted him to study…

The Gold Rush: Rise of the Golden State

California was forever changed the day James Marshall saw flakes of gold sparkling in the American River. Between the years of 1848 and 1855, the discovery of gold would inspire more than 300,000 people to move to California. This “gold rush” helped California to officially become a state. James Marshall…

At the Sign of the “Spy-Glass”

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is about a boy named Jim Hawkins who discovers a pirate’s treasure map. Jim, along with Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey, have decided to buy a ship, hire a crew, and look for the treasure. In this passage, Jim has been sent to an inn…

The Climb

One sunny day, Marco went outside to play. He looked at the tall tree in his front yard. It was the tallest tree in the neighborhood. The tree was taller than Marco’s parents. It was even taller than his house! Marco tipped his head back to look at the top of the…

The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf

A Shepherd Boy tended his master’s Sheep near a dark forest not far from the village. Soon he found life in the pasture very dull. All he could do to amuse himself was to talk to his dog or play on his shepherd’s pipe. One day as he sat watching…

A Week of Birthdays

Monday’s child is fair of face, Tuesday’s child is full of grace, Wednesday’s child is full of woe, Thursday’s child has far to go, Friday’s child is loving and giving, Saturday’s child works hard for its living, But the child that’s born on the Sabbath day Is bonny and blithe,…