Standard: 6.RL.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
Grade level: Grade 6
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Reading: Literature
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on students’ ability to determine the meaning of words and phrases within a text, including understanding figurative and connotative meanings, and analyzing how specific word choices impact the overall meaning and tone. This skill is crucial as it enhances students’ reading comprehension and analytical abilities, preparing them for more complex texts in higher grades. Students need to have a solid grasp of basic vocabulary and context clues, as well as some experience with identifying literal meanings of words within different contexts.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to critically analyze texts, understand the author’s purpose, and enhance their own writing by selecting words that convey specific tones and meanings effectively.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that all words have only one fixed meaning. This is incorrect because many words have multiple meanings that can change depending on the context in which they are used.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide students with various examples of words used in different contexts and discuss how their meanings change. Encourage students to use context clues to infer the correct meaning.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that tone is always explicitly stated. In reality, tone is often implied through the author’s choice of words and phrases, and understanding it requires careful analysis.
Intervention 2
To remediate this, provide texts where tone is conveyed through subtle word choices. Have students practice identifying the tone by examining the language used and discussing how it influences their interpretation of the text.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand basic vocabulary, context clues, and have experience with identifying literal meanings of words in texts.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop skills in critical analysis of texts, understanding author’s purpose, and enhancing their own writing by carefully choosing words to convey specific tones and meanings.
Instructional Activities
- Have students read a poem and identify figurative language, then discuss how it contributes to the poem’s tone.
- Provide excerpts from novels and ask students to determine the connotative meanings of specific words.
- Analyze speeches for word choice and discuss how it impacts the overall message and tone.
- Examine advertisements to identify the intended tone and how word choice influences consumer perception.
- Read news articles and discuss how the choice of words affects the reader’s understanding and perception of the events.
