Using Dictionary Entries

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

Students answer work sheet questions about dictionary entries.

Subjects: Language Arts

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• answer questions about locating syllable breaks, parts of speech, cross references, usage guides, and pronunciations on a dictionary page

Keywords
dictionary, entries, syllable, cross reference, parts of speech, pronunciations

Materials Needed

• Using Dictionary Entries work sheet, one per student
• Scholastic Children's Dictionary page, one copy per student, or display a single copy of the page on a screen for all to see and use
• pencils or pens

Procedure

1. Review where syllable breaks, parts of speech, cross references, usage guides, and pronunciations are found on a dictionary page. Give students examples of each.
    
2. Distribute the Using Dictionary Entries work sheet to students. Have students find the answers to the questions on the work sheet. Variation: Give students a specific amount of time to complete the work sheet.

Assessment
Evaluate students' completed work sheets.

Answer Key

1. 22
2. 11; four-syllable word: counterclockwise; three-syllable words: cottontail, counselor, counteract, counterfeit, counterpart, and countryside
3. the hard c sound (k)
4. nouns and verbs: cough, counsel, and count; adjective and adverb: counter
5. counsel and council
6. counteracting, counteracted
7. My mom counseled me on how to study for the test. Your opinion is counter to mine. In our family, everyone's opinion counts. OR We count ourselves lucky to have survived the earthquake.

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