1. Dictionary Skills
3rd Grade

2. Why Use a Dictionary? to see how to spell a word
to learn how to pronounce a word correctly
to define a word
to find synonyms and antonyms for a word
to find out how many syllables are in a word
to find out what part of speech a word is
Have students brainstorm the different uses. Put on the side of the whiteboard.
When finished, display uses.

3. Using guide words and entry words
Guide words – show the first word and the last word on the page.
The guide words on this page are alone and alumnus.
Entry words – are in ABC order. They are in bold print. Alone is the first entry word on this page.

4. Alphabetical Order Practice
ABC Train
Paw Park Alphabet Bears
ABC Order

5. Quick way to look for a word
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Start by going to the beginning, middle or end of the dictionary to locate a word.
Example: If you were looking for the word cat, would you find the word in the beginning, middle or end of the dictionary? How about:
forget shake opposite

6. Now lets find words in the dictionary using the Quick way.
You will work with a partner to put a set of words in alphabetical order. You will use the guide words to help you locate the words in the dictionary.
You will write the definition of the words on the Vacabulary 4 Square worksheet.
Once you write the definitions of all the words, you will look up any three (3) words from the list in an on-line dictionary.
Click on the link below.
Merriam-Webster Word Central

7. pronunciation
(a way of speaking a word). A dictionary uses symbols to indicate the sounds of the letters in a word. This is found in the beginning of the dictionary.

8. syllable
(part of a spoken word). A dictionary generally uses dots between the syllables of a word.
Practice clapping the number of syllables in these words. Click on the words below to find out how many syllables are in each word. Click to check your answers.
Continent
3 syllables
Ecosystem
4 syllables

9. synonym
(one of two or more words that have highly similar meanings). A dictionary may list synonyms for a word.
Can you guess the synonym for little? Click for answers
small
Can you guess the synonym for rock?
stone
Can you guess the synonym for funny?
silly

10. antonym
(a word that is the opposite of another word). A dictionary may list an antonym for a word.
Can you guess an antonym for happy? click for answers
sad
Can you guess an antonym for short?
tall
Can you guess an antonym for dark?
light

11. parts of speech
(how a word is used in a sentence). A dictionary generally indicates what part of speech a word is, depending upon how it is used in a sentence.
n. (noun) The word names a person, place, or thing; e.g., child, dog, park.
v. (verb) The word expresses an action or state of being; e.g., jump, fall, was.
adj. (adjective) The word describes a person, place, or thing; e.g., happy, wet, tiny.
adv. (adverb) The word describes an action; e.g., quickly, well, loudly.

12. Can you guess what parts of speech these words are
Can you guess what parts of speech these words are? Click on cat, slowly, different, and hear to find your answers. Then click under the sentence to see if you are correct.
My cat likes to lick my face. noun Cars going into the tunnel were moving slowly. adverb She looks different with her hair cut short. adjective I can hear the rain falling on the roof. verb

13. More than one (1) meaning
Sometimes a word can have more than one meaning. Look at the picture on the right. Find the word audience. This word has 3 meanings.
How many meanings does audio have? Click the mouse for the answer. 2

14. Look up the word cold. How many meanings does the word cold have
Look up the word cold. How many meanings does the word cold have? Click for the answer. 3 Which one of the meanings for cold is used in this sentence? “ Emily’s hands were cold so she put on a pair of mittens.” Click for the answer. 2

15. Look up the word grade. How many meanings does the word grade have
Look up the word grade. How many meanings does the word grade have? Click for the answer. 7 Which one of the meanings for grade is used in this sentence? “ Sam got an A on his paper.” Click for the answer. 6

16. You are a dictionary expert.

17. Created by: Jeannye Glidden, Librarian Susquehanna Community Elementary School Susquehanna, PA