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Guide Words
Grade 4
Student Learner Expectations:
IR.12.4.3 - Use guide words to locate words in dictionaries and topics in
encyclopedias.
Materials:
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Dictionaries
Encyclopedias
Guide Word Riddles Activity (See attached.)
Groovy Guide Words Activity (See attached.)
Guide Words to the Stars http://www.quia.com/rr/45806.html
Directions:
1. Use the dictionaries located in the reference section for discussion about
guide words.
2. Have students look at the top of the page and locate the words in bold
face print. Identify them as guide words because they guide you to the
entry word.
3. Note the guide word is the first entry word and the second guide word is
the last entry word on the page.
4. Complete one of the guide word activities.
a. Detective Guide Word uses guide words and clues to determine an
answer.
b. Groovy Guide Words includes three sets of guide words. Students
put entry words on the correct “page”.
c. Guide Words to the Stars is an internet game. Students are shown
an entry word and must select the correct guide words.
Assessment:
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Observe as students identify guide words and use them to locate an entry
word in a dictionary and an article in the encyclopedia.
Guide Word Activities
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Name ____________________________________ Date _________________________
The two words represent guide words on a dictionary page. The clue is for a word that
would appear on the same page. The first one is done for you.
Guide Words
gab
apple
ball
gambol
arbor
base
Clue
Answer
to run with leaps
gallop
tank for fish
building for animals
cover
crazy
something to eat with soup
dome
draw
entrance to a house
element
lightning
fare
fence
covering for a bird
harp
head
pull or drag
elect
ingenious
treasure
spine
remorse
instant
tub
stone
restaurant
head, thorax, abdomen
woody stem of a tree
suffer from hunger
newspaper staff
Make up your own Guide Word Riddles
Guide Words
Clue
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Answer
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Answers
The two words represent guide words on a dictionary page. The clue is for a word that
would appear on the same page. The first one is done for you.
Guide Words
gab
apple
ball
gambol
arbor
base
Clue
Answer
to run with leaps
gallop
tank for fish
aquarium
building for animals
barn
cover
crazy
something to eat with soup
cracker
dome
draw
entrance to a house
door
element
lightning
electricity
fare
fence
covering for a bird
feather
harp
head
pull or drag
haul
head, thorax, abdomen
insect
woody stem of a tree
trunk
suffer from hunger
starve
newspaper staff
reporter
elect
ingenious
treasure
spine
remorse
instant
tub
stone
restaurant
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Name ________________________________ Date _____________________________
Guide words are words that are located at the top of each dictionary or encyclopedia
page. The first guide word is the first word or article on the page. The second guide
word is the last word or article on the page. All other words on that page occur
alphabetically between the two guide words. Choose words from the box and list them
below the correct guide words.
gadget
gazette
garlic
gnaw
gape
garment
gab
garret
glory
gelatin
glowworm
garnet
gnome
gobble
gate
gear
gloss
general
gentle
grovel
golden
geyser
gloom
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guffaw
groan
garbage
ground
gulp
game
goose
garage
grotto
gnarl
genius
geometry
get
grim
gum