Glossary: Terms Starting with C
232 definitions with links to the lessons that teach each word.
calendar
Maths
A chart showing days, weeks and months.
Learn it in: Months of the year (Grade 1), Calendars (Grade 2)
call to action
English
a sentence asking readers to do something
Learn it in: Conclusions (Grade 3), Persuasive speaking (Grade 5), Conclusions (Grade 6)
capacity
Maths
How much a container holds.
Learn it in: Capacity (Grade 2), Measuring capacity (Grade 3), Standard units (Grade 4)
capital letter
English
a big letter
Learn it in: Words and sentences (Grade 1), Words and sentences (Grade 1), Capital letters (Grade 1)
caption
English
a sentence under a picture
Learn it in: Writing about pictures (Grade 1), Creating picture stories (Grade 1), Informational texts (Grade 2)
care
Science
to look after something
Learn it in: Caring for living things (Grade 1), Caring for plants (Grade 1), Animal care (Grade 2)
carry
Maths
The new ten or hundred moved to the next column.
Learn it in: Regrouping in addition (Grade 2), Addition with regrouping (Grade 3)
cast
English
the characters in a play
Learn it in: Drama scripts (Grade 4), Drama (Grade 5), Drama scripts (Grade 6)
category
English
a group of things that go together
Learn it in: Word categories (Grade 1), Organising findings (Grade 3), Word relationships (Grade 4)
category
Maths
A group in the data.
Learn it in: Collecting data (Grade 3), Frequency tables (Grade 3), Organising data (Grade 6)
causal chain
English
a series of linked causes and effects
Learn it in: Cause-and-effect writing (Grade 6)
cause
English
why something happens
Learn it in: Cause and effect (Grade 3), Cause and effect (Grade 4), Cause-and-effect writing (Grade 6)
cause and effect
English
what happens and why
Learn it in: Text organisation (Grade 5), Transitions (Grade 5), Text structure (Grade 6)
centimetre
Science
a unit of length; 100 make one metre
Learn it in: Measuring using simple tools (Grade 2)
centimetre (cm)
Maths
A standard unit for measuring short lengths.
Learn it in: Introduction to centimetres (Grade 1), Measuring length (Grade 2), Centimetres and metres (Grade 2)
central idea
English
the most important point of a text
Learn it in: Central ideas (Grade 6), Central ideas (Grade 6)
change
Maths
Money you get back.
Learn it in: Simple money problems (Grade 1), Making change in simple situations (Grade 2), Money calculations (Grade 3)
change
Science
to become different
Learn it in: Growth and change (Grade 1), Weather changes (Grade 1), Asking investigable questions (Grade 2)
chapter
English
a main part of a book
Learn it in: Tables of contents (Grade 2), Longer literary texts (Grade 5), Extended literary texts (Grade 6)
character
English
a person or animal in a story
Learn it in: Reading familiar stories (Grade 1), Identifying characters (Grade 1), Story characters (Grade 1)
character arc
English
how a character changes across a story
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 5)
character development
English
how a character changes in a story
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 4), Character development (Grade 6)
characterisation
English
how a writer shows a character
Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 5), Characterisation (Grade 6)
chart
English
a table for recording facts
Learn it in: Recording information (Grade 2), Visual presentations (Grade 4)
check
English
look again
Learn it in: Blending sounds into words (Grade 1), Segmenting words for spelling (Grade 1), Making predictions (Grade 1)
check
Maths
Make sure an answer is right.
Learn it in: Addition using objects (Grade 1), Taking away objects (Grade 1), Relationship between addition and subtraction (Grade 1)
checklist
English
a list of things to check
Learn it in: Editing spelling and punctuation (Grade 2), Revising and editing (Grade 3), Revision and editing (Grade 4)
chronological order
English
the order in which things happen in time
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 3)
circle
Maths
A round shape with no corners.
Learn it in: Circles (Grade 1), Shape patterns (Grade 1), Division using pictures (Grade 2)
citation
English
a note crediting a source in the text
Learn it in: Introductory citations (Grade 6), Research-based writing (Grade 6)
cite
English
to name where the evidence comes from
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 4), Research reports (Grade 4), Textual evidence (Grade 5)
claim
English
a statement you say is true
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 3), Using evidence orally (Grade 4), Logical reasoning (Grade 4)
claim sentence
English
a sentence stating the paragraph’s point in support of the thesis
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
clarify
English
to make something clear
Learn it in: Asking clarifying questions (Grade 3), Active listening (Grade 5), Academic listening (Grade 6)
classify
Maths
Sort into groups by a rule.
Learn it in: Classifying objects (Grade 1), Shape classification (Grade 3), Geometric reasoning (Grade 5)
clause
English
a group of words with a subject and a verb
Learn it in: Conjunctions (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4), Clauses (Grade 5)
clear
English
easy to hear and understand
Learn it in: Speaking clearly (Grade 1), Making simple posters (Grade 1), Giving clear explanations (Grade 2)
clickbait
English
a headline designed to attract clicks, often misleading
Learn it in: Evaluating online information (Grade 6)
climate
English
the usual weather of a place over many years
Learn it in: Academic vocabulary (Grade 4)
climax
English
the most exciting part
Learn it in: Setting and plot (Grade 3), Plot development (Grade 3), Plot structure (Grade 4)
closed syllable
English
a syllable that ends in a consonant, with a short vowel
Learn it in: Syllable patterns (Grade 3)
closing
English
the ending: Your friend,
Learn it in: Friendly letters (Grade 2), Organised oral presentations (Grade 3), Presentation organisation (Grade 4)
closing sentence
English
a sentence that ends the paragraph
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 3), Explanatory paragraphs (Grade 6)
clue
English
a small hint that helps you find out
Learn it in: Understanding spoken words (Grade 1), Identifying settings (Grade 1), Making predictions (Grade 1)
clue word
Maths
A word that helps, like altogether or in all.
Learn it in: Addition word problems (Grade 1), Subtraction word problems (Grade 1)
coin
Maths
A small round piece of metal money.
Learn it in: Recognising local coins and notes (Grade 1), Counting money (Grade 2)
collaborate
English
work together
Learn it in: Collaborative storytelling (Grade 2), Collaborative projects (Grade 3), Collaborative inquiry (Grade 4)
colon
English
a mark that introduces a list or explanation
Learn it in: Punctuation and editing (Grade 5), Punctuation (Grade 6)
colour
English
red, blue, green and so on
Learn it in: Describing familiar objects (Grade 1), Describing words (Grade 1)
colour
Science
how a thing looks, such as red, blue or green
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1)
column
Maths
Things one above another, top to bottom.
Learn it in: Numbers to 100 (Grade 1), Addition within 1,000 (Grade 2), Regrouping in addition (Grade 2)
comma
English
a mark that means a short pause
Learn it in: Punctuation and phrasing (Grade 2), Commas and apostrophes (Grade 2), Combining sentences (Grade 2)
comma splice
English
two clauses wrongly joined by only a comma
Learn it in: Compound sentences (Grade 6)
commentary
English
your explanation of how evidence proves the point
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
common denominator
Maths
A shared denominator.
Learn it in: Comparing fractions (Grade 4), Equivalent fractions (Grade 5), Comparing fractions (Grade 5)
common factor
Maths
A factor shared by both numbers.
Learn it in: Simplifying fractions (Grade 4), Equivalent fractions (Grade 5), Greatest common factor (Grade 6)
common multiple
Maths
A multiple shared by two numbers.
Learn it in: Understanding multiples (Grade 4), Least common multiple (Grade 6)
common noun
English
a noun for any person, place or thing
Learn it in: Common and proper nouns (Grade 2)
commutative
Maths
The order of the factors does not change the product.
Learn it in: Multiplication properties (Grade 3), Multiplication properties (Grade 4)
comparative
English
a form that compares two things, such as taller
Learn it in: Adjectives and adverbs (Grade 3)
compare
English
tell how things are alike and different
Learn it in: Story characters (Grade 1), Observing familiar objects (Grade 1), Comparing stories (Grade 2)
compare
Maths
Look at two numbers to see which is bigger or smaller.
Learn it in: Comparing two-digit numbers (Grade 1), Comparing lengths (Grade 1), Reviewing numbers to 100 (Grade 2)
compare
Science
to look at two things and say how they are the same and different
Learn it in: Comparing objects (Grade 1), Making simple predictions (Grade 2), Comparing objects (Grade 2)
compatible numbers
Maths
Numbers easy to compute.
Learn it in: Estimating products (Grade 4), Estimation (Grade 5)
complete
English
whole
Learn it in: Simple sentence construction (Grade 1), Evaluating explanations (Grade 5)
complete change
Science
a big change in body shape during growth
Learn it in: Comparing life cycles (Grade 2)
complete sentence
English
a sentence with all its parts
Learn it in: Writing complete sentences (Grade 1), Subject and predicate (Grade 2), Complete sentences (Grade 2)
complex character
English
a character with several, sometimes opposing, traits
Learn it in: Character analysis (Grade 6)
complex sentence
English
a sentence with an independent clause and a dependent clause
Learn it in: Complex sentences (Grade 4), Complex sentences (Grade 5)
complex text
English
a text with difficult ideas or language
Learn it in: Reading complex texts (Grade 5), Complex informational texts (Grade 6)
composite
Maths
More than two factors.
Learn it in: Factors and multiples (Grade 6), Area of composite figures (Grade 6)
composite figure
Maths
A shape made of simpler shapes.
Learn it in: Area of composite rectangular figures (Grade 4), Perimeter (Grade 5), Area (Grade 5)
compound sentence
English
two sentences joined by a conjunction
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Compound sentences (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4)
compound subject
English
two or more subjects joined by and
Learn it in: Subject–verb agreement (Grade 3)
compound unit
Maths
A measure using two units, like 3 L 250 ml.
Learn it in: Standard measurement units (Grade 3)
compound word
English
a word made of two smaller words
Learn it in: Compound words (Grade 2), Word origins (Grade 5), Word origins (Grade 6)
compound-complex sentence
English
two main clauses and at least one subordinate clause
Learn it in: Compound-complex sentences (Grade 5), Compound-complex sentences (Grade 6)
concise
English
brief but complete
Learn it in: Summarising arguments (Grade 5), Summarising complex texts (Grade 6)
conclude
English
to decide after thinking about the facts
Learn it in: Academic vocabulary (Grade 4), Advanced academic vocabulary (Grade 5)
concluding sentence
English
a sentence that wraps up the idea
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 4), Main ideas (Grade 5)
conclusion
English
the end that sums up
Learn it in: Short presentations (Grade 2), Short factual reports (Grade 2), Making inferences (Grade 3)
conclusion
Maths
What the data tells us.
Learn it in: Drawing conclusions (Grade 3), Drawing conclusions (Grade 5)
condense
English
to make shorter without losing meaning
Learn it in: Summarising complex information (Grade 4)
condition
English
what must be true for something to happen
Learn it in: Subordinating conjunctions (Grade 4)
conflict
English
a struggle or problem
Learn it in: Plot development (Grade 3), Conflict and resolution (Grade 4), Conflict and resolution (Grade 5)
conjunction
English
a word that joins, such as and or but
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Conjunctions (Grade 3), Compound sentences (Grade 3)
connection
English
a link between two things
Learn it in: Connecting stories to experiences (Grade 1), Responding to literature (Grade 2), Literary response (Grade 3)
connotation
English
the feeling a word carries
Learn it in: Synonyms and shades of meaning (Grade 5), Precise language (Grade 6)
consistency
English
using the same tense unless time changes
Learn it in: Verb forms and consistency (Grade 6)
consistent
English
staying the same throughout
Learn it in: Narrative voice (Grade 4), Verb tense consistency (Grade 5)
consonant
English
a letter that is not a vowel
Learn it in: Consonant sounds (Grade 1), Reviewing consonant blends (Grade 2)
constructive feedback
English
helpful comments that help someone improve
Learn it in: Evaluating presentations (Grade 6)
context
English
the words around a word
Learn it in: Multiple-meaning words (Grade 1), Self-correction (Grade 2), Context clues (Grade 2)
context clue
English
a hint in nearby words about a word meaning
Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 3), Contextual meaning (Grade 4), Contextual meaning (Grade 5)
contrast
English
find how things are different
Learn it in: Comparing stories (Grade 2), Antonyms (Grade 2), Comparing literary texts (Grade 2)
contrast clue
English
a clue that gives an opposite
Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 3), Contextual meaning (Grade 6)
contribute
English
to add your idea
Learn it in: Collaborative storytelling (Grade 2), Collaborative discussions (Grade 5)
control
Science
the cup where nothing is changed
Learn it in: Conditions affecting plant growth (Grade 2)
conversation
English
people talking and listening to each other
Learn it in: Taking turns in conversations (Grade 1)
convert
Maths
Change from one unit to another.
Learn it in: Centimetres and metres (Grade 2), Solving measurement problems (Grade 2), Standard measurement units (Grade 3)
coordinating conjunction
English
and, but, or, so
Learn it in: Conjunctions (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4), Compound-complex sentences (Grade 5)
copyright
English
the legal right of a creator to control their work
Learn it in: Ethical information use (Grade 6)
core
Maths
The part of a pattern that repeats.
Learn it in: Recognising patterns (Grade 1), Colour patterns (Grade 1), Continuing patterns (Grade 1)
corner
Maths
Where two sides meet.
Learn it in: Circles (Grade 1), Triangles (Grade 1), Squares (Grade 1)
corroborate
English
to confirm with another source
Learn it in: Synthesising information (Grade 6), Evidence and unsupported claims (Grade 6)
cost
Maths
How much you pay for something.
Learn it in: Simple money problems (Grade 1), Adding money amounts (Grade 2)
cotton
Science
a soft plant fibre used to make cloth
Learn it in: Uses of plants (Grade 1), Fabric (Grade 1)
count
English
say numbers in order
Learn it in: Recognising syllables (Grade 1), Segmenting spoken words (Grade 1)
count
Maths
To say numbers one by one as you touch each thing.
Learn it in: Understanding numbers (Grade 1), Counting objects from 0–10 (Grade 1), Counting categories (Grade 1)
count back
Maths
Say the numbers in order, getting smaller.
Learn it in: Counting forwards and backwards (Grade 1), Subtraction within 20 (Grade 1), Subtraction within 100 (Grade 2)
count on
Maths
Say the next numbers in order, getting bigger.
Learn it in: Counting forwards and backwards (Grade 1), Counting-on strategies (Grade 1), Counting hundreds (Grade 2)
count up
Maths
Add on to reach the amount paid.
Learn it in: Making change in simple situations (Grade 2)
counterargument
English
a reason on the opposite side
Learn it in: Logical reasoning (Grade 4), Opinion and persuasive writing (Grade 5), Organising arguments (Grade 6)
counterclaim
English
an opposing view
Learn it in: Claims and reasons (Grade 5), Comparing arguments (Grade 6)
counterexample
Maths
An example that shows a claim is false.
Learn it in: Mathematical reasoning (Grade 5), Geometric reasoning (Grade 5)
creative commons
English
a licence allowing sharing with conditions
Learn it in: Ethical information use (Grade 6)
creative expression
English
sharing original ideas and feelings in writing
Learn it in: Creative expression (Grade 5)
criteria
English
standards used to judge quality
Learn it in: Evaluating presentations (Grade 6), Comparing literary works (Grade 6)
critical thinking
English
careful, reasoned judgement of information
Learn it in: Critical thinking (Grade 6)
cross out
Maths
Draw a line through to show taken away.
Learn it in: Taking away objects (Grade 1), Subtraction using pictures (Grade 1)
cross-check
English
to confirm a fact in several sources
Learn it in: Evidence and unsupported claims (Grade 6)
cube
Maths
A solid shape with 6 square faces.
Learn it in: Cubes (Grade 1), Surface area using nets (Grade 6)
culture
English
the way of life of a group
Learn it in: Folktales (Grade 2), International folktales (Grade 3), Cultural perspectives (Grade 5)
curved
Maths
Bending like a rainbow, not straight.
Learn it in: Circles (Grade 1), Properties of 2D shapes (Grade 2)
CVC word
English
a word with consonant, vowel, consonant
Learn it in: Consonant–vowel–consonant words (Grade 1)
cyberbullying
English
bullying using digital devices
Learn it in: Responsible digital communication (Grade 6)
cylinder
Maths
A solid shape with 2 flat circle faces and a curved side.
Learn it in: Cylinders (Grade 1)