Reading Skills: Figuring Out an Unfamiliar Word

One strategy that is important for students to learn is how to figure out an unfamiliar or new word in a reading passage.  

1. The student could look for a definition of the unknown word inside the sentence.  Clue words might be "is", "are", and "has".
2. The student could look for a synonym.  Clue words would be "or", "in other words", "that is", and "similarly".
3. The student could look for examples that show the meaning of the unknown word.  Clue words would be "such as" and "for instance".
4. The student could look for a cause-effect relationship.  Clue words would be "therefore", "as a result", and "due to".

What are some strategies that you teach your students for figuring out an unfamiliar word in a reading passage?