Special Words in Texts
Aligned to RI.3.4 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
True texts use special topic words. Use the sentences around a word, or a glossary, to figure out what it means.
Worked examples
Example 1
In a space text, 'orbit' is explained nearby as 'the path a planet takes around the sun,' so now you know the word.
Example 2
In a weather text, 'humidity' is explained right after as 'how much water is in the air,' so the book taught you the word.
Example 3
Technical words are worth learning because they are shortcuts. Saying 'humidity' saves you a whole sentence every time.
Practice questions
- Find a topic word in a text and guess its meaning from nearby words.
- Check a glossary or dictionary to confirm the meaning.
- Use the new word correctly in your own sentence.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Palabras Especiales en los Textos
Los textos reales usan palabras especiales del tema. Usa las oraciones alrededor de una palabra, o un glosario, para descubrir qué significa.
Ejemplo 1: En un texto sobre el espacio, 'órbita' se explica cerca como 'el camino que sigue un planeta alrededor del sol', y así aprendes la palabra.
Ejemplo 2: En un texto sobre el clima, 'humedad' se explica justo después como 'cuánta agua hay en el aire', así que el libro te enseñó la palabra.
Ejemplo 3: Vale la pena aprender palabras técnicas porque son atajos. Decir 'humedad' te ahorra una oración entera cada vez.
More Reading: Informational lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required