Discussing and Questioning New Words
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in texts; discuss word meanings and link new vocabulary to words already known
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“When a new word appears, readers can discuss what it may mean and ask questions about its use, parts, or context.”
Bring to the table
- A short age-appropriate passage
- Paper
- Pencil
Extra for the adult
Worked example. In “The trail was treacherous after the ice,” the danger clue suggests treacherous means unsafe. Ask, “Can a plan also be treacherous?”
Optional challenge. Use the word accurately in a new sentence with a different context.
What to notice. Save a photo of one completed word card, or a short note recording the word, question, and revised meaning.
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
When a new word appears, readers can discuss what it may mean and ask questions about its use, parts, or context.
Choose three unfamiliar or interesting words from a short passage and make a question-and-meaning card for each.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
UF Literacy Institute · Practice link — not the full lesson
Instructional Activities
Before you open · source notes
Free UFLI instructional-activity catalogue useful for discussing and questioning new words. An adult picks one activity; the page is a catalogue, not a single vocabulary quiz.
Free literacy activities, no sign-in. An adult picks one activity.
Before you openAsk the learner to ask one question about a new word and say what helped them understand it.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public UF Literacy Institute page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this page. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult must choose an appropriate lesson or activity for the learner.
UF Literacy Institute. “Instructional Activities.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Ask 'What does ___ mean?' when meeting unfamiliar words during reading
- Use context and pictures to work out what a new word might mean
- Explain a new word by connecting it to a known word (e.g. 'enormous means really really big')
“When your child comes across a word they don't know in a book, do they try to figure out what it means from the other words around it and connect it to words they already know?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Language
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Vocabulary
- Age range
- Ages 5–12
Standards