How To: Match & Fill

• Lesson Objective: Review morphemes to build automaticity. Apply context clues and morphological knowledge to complete cloze sentences.

• Grouping:  Independently at seats

• Methodology: Students match all morphemes and vocabulary to their definitions. Then students complete cloze sentences using targeted vocabulary.

• Duration: 20-25 minutes

  
  

Cloze Encounters of the Fun Kind

Fun fact: Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind was the last horror movie I ever watched—back in my mid-twenties. I couldn’t sleep for weeks. Every strange noise was definitely an alien about to abduct me.

Luckily, we’re dealing with cloze encounters—and usually of the humorous variety. Although, there was that one unit where I described a zombie attack. But zombies don’t scare me. They’re not real.

I only believe in ghosts, aliens… and the magic of literacy.

Sample matching. The matching section includes all previously taught morphemes

🖍 How the Routine Works

This lesson is completed independently, especially since it falls near the end of the unit. I encourage students to use their flashcards and capture sheets as references while they work. As we learn more morphemes, I begin grouping them together to help students make meaningful connections.

I often keep the cloze sentences light and playful by including student names and infusing some humor. I can tell they appreciate it when they make an appearance in one of my nutty sentences.

If a student requires extra guidance, my co-teacher may work with them more closely. I meet with students one on one for phonemic awareness instruction.

Check out the Interactive Unit Guides to see how this lesson fits within each unit. There, you’ll find links to unit-specific Match & Fills.