How can a teacher assess students' understanding of context clues in a reading assignment?

Having students summarize the text is an effective way to assess their understanding of context clues because summarization requires students to process the information and identify the main ideas, key details, and relationships within the text. When summarizing, students must demonstrate their ability to infer meaning from context, as they need to synthesize and articulate what they have read in their own words. This process reveals not only their comprehension of the text but also how well they can use context clues to infer meaning and make connections between various elements of the text.

While other methods, like vocabulary quizzes or providing lists of new words, can assess vocabulary knowledge separately, they do not directly evaluate how well students can discern meaning within the context of a reading passage. Peer discussions may provide insights into students’ understanding, but they do not offer a direct mechanism for individual assessment of their ability to use context clues. Overall, summarization is a comprehensive approach that encapsulates students' comprehension and application of context clues effectively.