Glossary: Terms Starting with C
137 definitions in English & Language Arts with links to the lessons that teach each word.
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All terms starting with C
call to action
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a sentence asking readers to do something
Learn it in: Conclusions (Grade 3), Persuasive speaking (Grade 5), Conclusions (Grade 6)
capital
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a big letter at the start
Learn it in: Writing complete sentences (Grade 1)
capital letter
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a big letter
Learn it in: Words and sentences (Grade 1), Words and sentences (Grade 1), Capital letters (Grade 1)
caption
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a sentence under a picture
Learn it in: Writing about pictures (Grade 1), Creating picture stories (Grade 1), Informational texts (Grade 2)
case
EnglishFrom Grade 6
the form of a pronoun, such as I or me
Learn it in: Pronoun reference (Grade 6)
cast
EnglishFrom Grade 4
the characters in a play
Learn it in: Drama scripts (Grade 4), Drama (Grade 5), Drama scripts (Grade 6)
category
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a group of things that go together
Learn it in: Word categories (Grade 1), Organising findings (Grade 3), Word relationships (Grade 4)
causal chain
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a series of linked causes and effects
Learn it in: Cause-and-effect writing (Grade 6)
cause
EnglishFrom Grade 3
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
EnglishFrom Grade 5
what happens and why
Learn it in: Text organisation (Grade 5), Transitions (Grade 5), Text structure (Grade 6)
central idea
EnglishFrom Grade 6
the most important point of a text
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Central ideas (Grade 6), Central ideas (Grade 6)
chain of events
EnglishFrom Grade 4
events that lead one to the next
Learn it in: Cause and effect (Grade 4)
change y to i
EnglishFrom Grade 4
change y to i before a suffix
Learn it in: Spelling and morphology (Grade 4)
chapter
EnglishFrom Grade 2
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
EnglishFrom Grade 1
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
EnglishFrom Grade 5
how a character changes across a story
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 5)
character change
EnglishFrom Grade 3
how a character is different at the end
Learn it in: Short fiction (Grade 3)
character development
EnglishFrom Grade 4
how a character changes in a story
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 4), Character development (Grade 6)
character trait
EnglishFrom Grade 5
a quality that describes a person
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 5)
characterisation
EnglishFrom Grade 5
how a writer shows a character
Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 5), Characterisation (Grade 6)
chart
EnglishFrom Grade 2
a table for recording facts
Learn it in: Recording information (Grade 2), Visual presentations (Grade 4)
check
EnglishFrom Grade 1
look again
Learn it in: Blending sounds into words (Grade 1), Segmenting words for spelling (Grade 1), Making predictions (Grade 1)
checklist
EnglishFrom Grade 2
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
EnglishFrom Grade 4
in the order events happened
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 4)
chronological order
EnglishFrom Grade 3
the order in which things happen in time
Learn it in: Chronological organisation (Grade 3)
citation
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a note crediting a source in the text
Learn it in: Introductory citations (Grade 6), Research-based writing (Grade 6)
cite
EnglishFrom Grade 4
to name where the evidence comes from
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 4), Research reports (Grade 4), Textual evidence (Grade 5)
claim
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a statement you say is true
Learn it in: Textual evidence (Grade 3), Using evidence orally (Grade 4), Logical reasoning (Grade 4)
claim sentence
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a sentence stating the paragraph’s point in support of the thesis
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
clarify
EnglishFrom Grade 3
to make something clear
Learn it in: Asking clarifying questions (Grade 3), Active listening (Grade 5), Academic listening (Grade 6)
clause
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a group of words with a subject and a verb
Learn it in: Conjunctions (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4), Clauses (Grade 5)
clear
EnglishFrom Grade 1
easy to hear and understand
Learn it in: Speaking clearly (Grade 1), Making simple posters (Grade 1), Giving clear explanations (Grade 2)
clickbait
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a headline designed to attract clicks, often misleading
Learn it in: Evaluating online information (Grade 6)
climate
EnglishFrom Grade 4
the usual weather of a place over many years
Learn it in: Academic vocabulary (Grade 4)
climax
EnglishFrom Grade 3
the most exciting part
Learn it in: Setting and plot (Grade 3), Plot development (Grade 3), Plot structure (Grade 4)
closed question
EnglishFrom Grade 5
a question answered with yes or no
Learn it in: Research questions (Grade 5)
closed syllable
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a syllable that ends in a consonant, with a short vowel
Learn it in: Syllable patterns (Grade 3)
closing
EnglishFrom Grade 2
the ending: Your friend,
Learn it in: Friendly letters (Grade 2), Organised oral presentations (Grade 3), Presentation organisation (Grade 4)
closing sentence
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a sentence that ends the paragraph
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 3), Explanatory paragraphs (Grade 6)
clue
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a small hint that helps you find out
Learn it in: Understanding spoken words (Grade 1), Identifying settings (Grade 1), Making predictions (Grade 1)
collaborate
EnglishFrom Grade 2
work together
Learn it in: Collaborative storytelling (Grade 2), Collaborative projects (Grade 3), Collaborative inquiry (Grade 4)
colon
EnglishFrom Grade 5
a mark that introduces a list or explanation
Learn it in: Punctuation and editing (Grade 5), Punctuation (Grade 6)
colour
EnglishFrom Grade 1
red, blue, green and so on
Learn it in: Describing familiar objects (Grade 1), Describing words (Grade 1)
combine
EnglishFrom Grade 2
join together
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Sentence variety (Grade 5)
comma
EnglishFrom Grade 2
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
EnglishFrom Grade 6
two clauses wrongly joined by only a comma
Learn it in: Compound sentences (Grade 6)
command
EnglishFrom Grade 2
a sentence that tells someone to do something
Learn it in: Sentence types (Grade 2)
command verb
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a verb that tells someone what to do
Learn it in: Explaining processes (Grade 3)
commentary
EnglishFrom Grade 6
your explanation of how evidence proves the point
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
common noun
EnglishFrom Grade 2
a noun for any person, place or thing
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Common and proper nouns (Grade 2)
comparative
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a form that compares two things, such as taller
Learn it in: Adjectives and adverbs (Grade 3)
compare
EnglishFrom Grade 1
tell how things are alike and different
Learn it in: Story characters (Grade 1), Observing familiar objects (Grade 1), Comparing stories (Grade 2)
complete
EnglishFrom Grade 1
whole
Learn it in: Simple sentence construction (Grade 1), Evaluating explanations (Grade 5)
complete sentence
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a sentence with all its parts
Learn it in: Writing complete sentences (Grade 1), Subject and predicate (Grade 2), Complete sentences (Grade 2)
complete thought
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a meaning that makes sense on its own
Learn it in: Simple sentences (Grade 3)
complex character
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a character with several, sometimes opposing, traits
Learn it in: Character analysis (Grade 6)
complex sentence
EnglishFrom Grade 4
a sentence with an independent clause and a dependent clause
Learn it in: Complex sentences (Grade 4), Complex sentences (Grade 5)
complex text
EnglishFrom Grade 5
a text with difficult ideas or language
Learn it in: Reading complex texts (Grade 5), Complex informational texts (Grade 6)
compound sentence
EnglishFrom Grade 2
two sentences joined by a conjunction
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Compound sentences (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4)
compound subject
EnglishFrom Grade 3
two or more subjects joined by and
Learn it in: Subject–verb agreement (Grade 3)
compound word
EnglishFrom Grade 2
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
EnglishFrom Grade 5
two main clauses and at least one subordinate clause
Learn it in: Compound-complex sentences (Grade 5), Compound-complex sentences (Grade 6)
compromise
EnglishFrom Grade 3
to agree by each giving a little
Learn it in: Collaborative projects (Grade 3)
concede
EnglishFrom Grade 6
to admit a point is partly true
Learn it in: Alternative viewpoints (Grade 6)
concise
EnglishFrom Grade 5
brief but complete
Learn it in: Summarising arguments (Grade 5), Summarising complex texts (Grade 6)
concision
EnglishFrom Grade 6
saying much in few words
Learn it in: Editing for clarity and style (Grade 6)
conclude
EnglishFrom Grade 4
to decide after thinking about the facts
Learn it in: Academic vocabulary (Grade 4), Advanced academic vocabulary (Grade 5)
concluding sentence
EnglishFrom Grade 4
a sentence that wraps up the idea
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 4), Main ideas (Grade 5)
conclusion
EnglishFrom Grade 2
the end that sums up
Learn it in: Short presentations (Grade 2), Short factual reports (Grade 2), Making inferences (Grade 3)
condense
EnglishFrom Grade 4
to make shorter without losing meaning
Learn it in: Summarising complex information (Grade 4)
condition
EnglishFrom Grade 4
what must be true for something to happen
Learn it in: Subordinating conjunctions (Grade 4)
confirm
EnglishFrom Grade 3
to check that something is correct
Learn it in: Asking clarifying questions (Grade 3)
conflict
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a struggle or problem
Learn it in: Plot development (Grade 3), Conflict and resolution (Grade 4), Conflict and resolution (Grade 5)
conjunction
EnglishFrom Grade 2
a word that joins, such as and or but
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Conjunctions (Grade 3), Compound sentences (Grade 3)
connection
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a link between two things
Learn it in: Connecting stories to experiences (Grade 1), Responding to literature (Grade 2), Literary response (Grade 3)
connotation
EnglishFrom Grade 5
the feeling a word carries
Learn it in: Synonyms and shades of meaning (Grade 5), Precise language (Grade 6)
consequence
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a result or effect of an action
Learn it in: Academic vocabulary (Grade 6)
consistency
EnglishFrom Grade 6
using the same tense unless time changes
Learn it in: Verb forms and consistency (Grade 6)
consistent
EnglishFrom Grade 4
staying the same throughout
Learn it in: Narrative voice (Grade 4), Verb tense consistency (Grade 5)
consolidate
EnglishFrom Grade 6
to strengthen and make secure
Learn it in: Academic vocabulary review (Grade 6)
consonant
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a letter that is not a vowel
Learn it in: Consonant sounds (Grade 1), Reviewing consonant blends (Grade 2)
consonant-le
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a final syllable such as ble or tle
Learn it in: Syllable patterns (Grade 3)
constructive feedback
EnglishFrom Grade 6
helpful comments that help someone improve
Learn it in: Evaluating presentations (Grade 6)
context
EnglishFrom Grade 1
the words around a word
Learn it in: Multiple-meaning words (Grade 1), Self-correction (Grade 2), Context clues (Grade 2)
context clue
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a hint in nearby words about a word meaning
Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 3), Contextual meaning (Grade 4), Contextual meaning (Grade 5)
contraction
EnglishFrom Grade 2
two words joined with an apostrophe
Learn it in: Commas and apostrophes (Grade 2)
contrast
EnglishFrom Grade 2
find how things are different
Learn it in: Comparing stories (Grade 2), Antonyms (Grade 2), Comparing literary texts (Grade 2)
contrast clue
EnglishFrom Grade 3
a clue that gives an opposite
Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 3), Contextual meaning (Grade 6)
contribute
EnglishFrom Grade 2
to add your idea
Learn it in: Collaborative storytelling (Grade 2), Collaborative discussions (Grade 5)
conventions
EnglishFrom Grade 2
rules for writing
Learn it in: Editing spelling and punctuation (Grade 2)
conversation
EnglishFrom Grade 1
people talking and listening to each other
Learn it in: Taking turns in conversations (Grade 1)
coordinating conjunction
EnglishFrom Grade 3
and, but, or, so
Learn it in: Conjunctions (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4), Compound-complex sentences (Grade 5)
coordination
EnglishFrom Grade 6
joining equal clauses
Learn it in: Compound-complex sentences (Grade 6)
copyright
EnglishFrom Grade 6
the legal right of a creator to control their work
Learn it in: Ethical information use (Grade 6)
correct
EnglishFrom Grade 1
right
Learn it in: Capital letters (Grade 1), Basic sentence correction (Grade 1)
corroborate
EnglishFrom Grade 6
to confirm with another source
Learn it in: Synthesising information (Grade 6), Evidence and unsupported claims (Grade 6)
count
EnglishFrom Grade 1
say numbers in order
Learn it in: Recognising syllables (Grade 1), Segmenting spoken words (Grade 1)
counterargument
EnglishFrom Grade 4
a reason on the opposite side
Learn it in: Logical reasoning (Grade 4), Opinion and persuasive writing (Grade 5), Organising arguments (Grade 6)
counterclaim
EnglishFrom Grade 5
an opposing view
Learn it in: Claims and reasons (Grade 5), Comparing arguments (Grade 6)
creative commons
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a licence allowing sharing with conditions
Learn it in: Ethical information use (Grade 6)
creative expression
EnglishFrom Grade 5
sharing original ideas and feelings in writing
Learn it in: Creative expression (Grade 5)
creator
EnglishFrom Grade 2
the person who makes something
Learn it in: Understanding media messages (Grade 2)
credit
EnglishFrom Grade 5
to name the person whose work you used
Learn it in: Avoiding plagiarism (Grade 5)
criteria
EnglishFrom Grade 6
standards used to judge quality
Learn it in: Evaluating presentations (Grade 6), Comparing literary works (Grade 6)
critical thinking
EnglishFrom Grade 6
careful, reasoned judgement of information
Learn it in: Critical thinking (Grade 6)
cross-check
EnglishFrom Grade 6
to confirm a fact in several sources
Learn it in: Evidence and unsupported claims (Grade 6)
culture
EnglishFrom Grade 2
the way of life of a group
Learn it in: Folktales (Grade 2), International folktales (Grade 3), Cultural perspectives (Grade 5)
custom
EnglishFrom Grade 6
a traditional way of doing something
Learn it in: Cultural perspectives (Grade 6)
CVC word
EnglishFrom Grade 1
a word with consonant, vowel, consonant
Learn it in: Consonant–vowel–consonant words (Grade 1)
cyberbullying
EnglishFrom Grade 6
bullying using digital devices
Learn it in: Responsible digital communication (Grade 6)