Dictionary Skills
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Grade
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
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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.
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Alphabetical Order Practice
 ABC Train
 Paw Park Alphabet Bears
 ABC Order
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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
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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
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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.
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syllable
 (part of a
spoken word).
A dictionary
generally uses
dots between
the syllables
of a word.
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 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
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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Look up the word cold. How many meanings does the
word cold have? Click for the answer.
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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.
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Look up the word grade. How many meanings does the
word grade have? Click for the answer.
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Which one of the meanings for grade is used in this
sentence? “ Sam got an A on his paper.” Click for the
answer.
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You are a dictionary expert.
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Created by:
Jeannye Glidden, Librarian
Susquehanna Community Elementary School
Susquehanna, PA 18847
jglidden@scschools.org
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