Teach Dictionary Skills With Word Wizard
As teachers, we know spell-check is not a substitute for solid dictionary skills. This lesson plan focuses on using the Word Wizard Dictionary to supplement and reinforce the basic skills needed for using a dictionary.
OBJECTIVE
Support teaching valuable dictionary skills. English and Language Arts Standards for most states require that:
Students use a dictionary to learn the meaning, pronunciation, and other features of unknown words by third grade.
SELECTED STATES DICTIONARY STANDARDS
- California Reading 1.7
- Illinois 1.A.2b (pdf)
- Indiana Reading 3.1.7 (pdf)
- New York English Language Arts 1.1
- Florida LA.A.1.2.3 (pdf)
- Texas 110.4 (b)
MATERIALS
- Reproducible Sample Word Wizard Dictionary Page (PDF)
- Print Dictionary (optional)
SET UP AND PREPARE
Ask students to brainstorm different reasons for using a dictionary. List these reasons on the chalkboard. Reasons may include:
- How to spell a word
- How to pronounce a word
- Determine how to break a word into syllables
- Find the meanings of a word
- Find synonyms and antonyms
- Find out where a word comes from, or its history
DIRECTIONS
Begin by introducing the structure of a dictionary. Explain that words are listed alphabetically. Use this Sample Word Wizard Dictionary Page (PDF) to illustrate the following features:
- Entry Words: Each defined word is called an entry. Ask: What is the entry on this page? [mountain]
- Syllables: Show students how dots and spacing are used to indicate syllable breaks. Discuss why it can be useful to know how a word is divided into syllables. [When a word won't fit at the end of a line, you can break it with a hyphen. The break should occur at the end a syllable. Knowing syllables also helps you apply spelling rules and figure out pronunciation.] What syllables form the word "mountain?" [moun * tain]
- Pronunciation: The pronunciation guide tells you how the word should sound when spoken. Point out that dictionaries have pronunciation keys that help you read the phonetic spellings. Also point out that the Word Wizard Dictionary allows you to hear the pronunciation, as well as reading the phonetic respelling. Allow students to try to read some pronunciations on the computer, and then test their accuracy by clicking on the audio icon
. - Parts of Speech: The part of speech information tells you how each entry is used in a sentence. It indicates whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or other part of speech. Note that some words are used in multiple ways. What part of speech is mountain? [noun]
- Definitions: The definitions give the meaning of the word. Some words have more than one meaning. The different meanings are listed in order of how they are most commonly used.
ASSIGNMENTS
Have students to look up the word mistake. Ask: How this word pronounced? Encourage students first to read the phonetic respelling, and then to check their pronunciation by listening with the audio button.
Remind students that some words can be used as different parts of speech. What part of speech is mistake? [It can be both a noun and a verb.]
Ask: What does it mean? Have students read both definitions, as a noun [a thought or action that is not correct] and as a verb [to confuse someone or something with another].
Ask students to read the example sentences on the page. How does the word change when used a past tense verb? [mistake becomes mistook]
TRY IT NOW!
Have students look up a word of their choice. Then have them write the word, showing the syllable breaks. Have them identify the part of speech (choosing only one) and the definition.
Bonus: Have students write their own context sentences, and list synonyms and antonyms.
ARTICLE
ONLINE ACTIVITY
