Context Clues Pyramid Puzzles and Bump Game

Teen Looking into the Night Sky

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Instructions

These puzzles will help you use context clues to figure out how words relate to one another.

Puzzle 1
B I T O R
L A Y G X A
T A N P E L
S C E T E L O P E

What do these words describe?

Puzzle 2
K B A E
V E N O
S H K I W
C P E R I E

What do these words describe?

Puzzle 3
P M A
H S P I
S D A I L N
R T E S A U R E

What do these words describe?

Puzzle 4
Z B Z U
S G I W N
W R C A L
T N A N N A E

What do these words describe?

Puzzle 5
D W A N
K C A L O
L P S E L
T P I O O N

What do these words describe?

Bump Game Instructions


Objective: When all spaces on the game board are claimed, the player with the most claimed or frozen spaces wins by correctly matching definitions to their corresponding words.

How to Play:

Notes: 

If you choose the wrong answer, the box will flash gray, and you will have another chance to try again! 

Even if a box is frozen, you must interact with the gameboard to proceed.

Bump Game

Context Clues


orbit
galaxy
planet
telescope
whisk
recipe
bake
oven
ship
map
treasure
island
antenna
wings
buzz
crawl
spell
wand
cloak
potion

For Teachers

💡 Teacher Tip

Have students complete the pyramid puzzles as a hook activity. Before students dive into the bump game, walk through a few examples using think-aloud strategies. Highlight how to spot signal words, use surrounding sentences, and eliminate distractors. This builds confidence and gives students a mental checklist they can apply during independent practice.

What Teachers Are Saying

"The meaning is often hiding in plain sight—teach kids to be clue detectives."
— Inspired by every teacher who’s ever said, “Read it again, but slower.”

From the Blog

Effect vs Affect Blog Post

In this blog post, you will find some fun and engaging activities that will help you teach context clues to your students.

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Context Clues Lessons and Activities

Effect vs Affect Blog Post

Explore this resource for teaching context clues with both digital and printable formats. Students start with vocabulary practice and a playful “Jabberwocky” hook, then build skills through grade-leveled lessons aligned to CCSS from definitions and examples in 4th grade to tone and word function in 6th. Activities include task cards, cloze stories, sentence strips, and games like Sorry and Dots & Boxes, plus literature-based challenges using “Casey at the Bat” and “The Road Not Taken.”

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Vocabulary Power Pack Grades 4–6

Vocabulary Power Pack Grades 4–6

A growing bundle of skill-based vocabulary activities featuring Greek and Latin roots, affixes, and monthly themes. Includes printable practice, digital games, video lessons, and Google Slides—perfect for centers, morning work, and independent practice.

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