Five vocabulary strategies that work — context clues, prefixes, suffixes, literal vs nonliteral language, and shades of meaning. Three Grade 3-specific skills: literal vs nonliteral (L.3.5.a), shades of meaning (L.3.5.c), and dictionary use (L.3.4.b). Six lessons, 55 slides, three worksheets, and a 40-point assessment.

What’s included:

• 1 Complete Slide Deck (PPTX, 55 slides, 6 lessons):
  • Lesson 1: Context Clues (definition, synonym, antonym, and example signal words) — L.3.4.a
  • Lesson 2: Prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-, over- — meanings and decoding strategy) — L.3.4.c
  • Lesson 3: Suffixes (-ful, -less, -ly, -ness, -er, -est, -tion; spelling rules at word boundaries) — L.3.4.c
  • Lesson 4: Literal vs Nonliteral Language (idiom, metaphor, simile, personification) — L.3.5.a
  • Lesson 5: Shades of Meaning (walked/marched/stomped; related adjective scales) — L.3.5.c
  • Lesson 6: Vocabulary Review & Dictionary Use (five-strategy toolkit, guide words, dictionary habit) — L.3.4.b
• 3 Double-Sided Practice Worksheets (PDF) covering all six lessons — context clue analysis, prefix and suffix decoding, literal/nonliteral sorts, shades of meaning, and dictionary skills.
• 1 Unit Assessment — 40 Points (PDF): multiple choice, ten vocabulary strategy tasks, and a labelled paragraph application, with full answer key and teaching notes.

Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.4.a (context clues), L.3.4.b (dictionary use), L.3.4.c (prefixes and suffixes), L.3.5.a (literal vs nonliteral language, Grade 3 specific), L.3.5.c (shades of meaning, Grade 3 specific). No Greek/Latin roots — those begin at Grade 4.