How to Figure Out New Words Using Context Clues

Khan Academy

This educational video introduces students to specific strategies for determining the meaning of unfamiliar words while reading. Narrated by David, the video acknowledges that even adults encounter unknown words and presents "context"—the language surrounding a word—as the primary tool for deciphering meaning without immediately reaching for a dictionary. The core of the video is built around the mnemonic acronym "IDEAS," which stands for Inference, Definition, Example, Antonym, and Synonym. Using a passage about primatologist Jane Goodall and the word "unconventional," the narrator demonstrates how each of these five distinct types of context clues functions. The video modifies the original text to illustrate how authors might provide definitions, examples, opposites, or synonyms directly within the narrative flow. For educators, this resource provides a clear, memorable framework for teaching vocabulary acquisition skills. It encourages students to be active readers who use detective work to solve linguistic puzzles. The video is particularly useful for English Language Arts lessons focusing on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and independent reading strategies for upper elementary and middle school students.