Guide Word Sentences

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students write sentences using dictionary guide words, putting two guide words in the same sentence.

Subjects: Language Arts

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• demonstrate creative-writing and vocabulary skills, and
• write sentences using dictionary guide words.

Keywords
dictionary, guide words, creative writing, vocabulary

Materials Needed

• dictionary (if possible, one per student)
• paper
• pens or pencils

Procedure

1. Review the meaning of the term "guide words" with students.
    
2. Give students any word, such as hot. Tell students to look up that word in their dictionaries and find the two guide words on that page. Have students read the definition of each guide word.
    
3. Ask students to make up a sentence that includes both guide words. For example, if the guide words are horseback and houseboat, a sentence might read "They rode on horseback to the houseboat at the lake."
    
4. Give students a list of ten to 20 words. Have students find the words in the dictionary and locate the guide words. Have students read the definitions of the words and write sentences that include both guide words. Encourage students to be as creative as possible!

Assessment
Evaluate students' sentences.

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