All About Words: Dictionary Activities!

by Lois Lewis, Education World®

Calling all wordsmiths! October 17, 2007 is Dictionary Day, named in honor of the birthday of that famous American wordsmith, Noah Webster. To recognize this special day, we offer eight lessons to involve students in using dictionaries.

• What do the letters ZIP in the word Zip Code stand for?
• What is a shaddock?
• What does the word somnambulate mean?

Where can your students find the answers to those and other baffling word questions? Check the dictionary!

Celebrate the wonder of words! Encourage the future lexicographers in your classroom with the lessons below. A brief description is provided for each lesson. Click any headline for a complete teaching resource.

Answers:

• The letters ZIP in the word Zip Code stand for "Zone Improvement Plan."
• A shaddock is tropical tree that grows in southeastern Asia. The shaddock is related to the grapefruit.
• Somnambulate means "to sleepwalk."

Eight Lessons for Dictionary Day

1. Noah Webster and His Dictionary
   Students use library or online sources to create time lines about Noah Webster, who compiled the first American dictionary, and the development of dictionaries.
    
2. Create a Word
   Students brainstorm new words for a class dictionary!
    
3. My Own Picture Dictionary
   Students create a personal picture dictionary.
    
4. Guide Word Game
   Students play a timed word game to locate guide words in a dictionary.
    
5. Guide Word Sentences
   Students write sentences using dictionary guide words, putting two guide words in the same sentence.
    
6. Using Dictionary Entries
   Students answer work sheet questions about dictionary entries.
    
7. Sound It Out
   Students match phonetic spellings with real spellings of words on a dictionary page.
    
8. Up from the Roots
   Students create new words by combining root words and/or short words.
    

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