Library Instruction Lesson
LEARN Reference Tools - Using the Dictionary)
Resource Title
File Name
Resource Description
(This is information about
the resource.)
LEARN Reference Tools - Using the Dictionary
LEARN Reference Tools - Using the Dictionary.doc
This lesson allows students to practice using the
dictionary in a game format.
Standard
Strand
Indicator
Benchmark
SOL
POS
Materials
(Books, files, links,
graphic organizers,
databases, etc.)
AASL
AASL
AASL
AASL
Eng 3.7; Eng 4.3; Eng 5.4;
Lesson Length
30 minutes
Keywords or key
phrases
Year Created?
Teacher Editable?
Dictionary; reference tools; game
Audience
(Resources may have
more than 1 audience.)
Purpose
(Resources may have
more than 1 purpose.)
Create By
(written by or adapted
from)
Grade Level
FCPS
FCPS
FCPS
FCPS
“Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Atlases” PowerPoint
(see file)
Transparency or scanned image of dictionary entry for the
word “hieroglyphics”
Class set of dictionaries (one dictionary per student group)
“Using the Dictionary Game Questions” Sheet
(Note: questions may need to be edited to reflect specific
reference source)
2008
XYes
No
Librarian
Lesson Plan
Created by Suzy Heimbach; adapted by Pat Gualtieri
Pre-K
K
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Adult
LEARN Lesson Plan
Using the Dictionary
Link
We have been learning about the Reference Section of the
Library and how to use it. We will continue using a variety of
reference tools to locate information and/or answer specific
questions.
Assessment:
Engage
and
Educate
Today our focus will be on using the dictionary. We will first
review the parts of a dictionary, and then play a game to
practice finding specific information. Let’s look: Project Slides
#6, 7, and 8 from the “Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Atlases”
PowerPoint. Review the content and arrangement of a dictionary.
Model locating specific information, using a single word (e.g.,
“hieroglyphics”). Project the dictionary page for the selected
word and ask student volunteers to identify meaning,
pronunciation, spelling, and part of speech. Remind students to
use the Guide Words at the top of a dictionary page to locate the
entry word.
Assessment: Student Response
Active
Learning


Reflect
Now and
Then
Divide the class into two
teams. Designate one student
on each team to serve as
spokesperson. Explain that all
of the team members will be
responsible for finding the
answer to the specific question
but only the spokesperson may
give the answer.
Ask the questions in order. The
spokesperson who gives the
correct answer first earns one
point for the team. The team
with the most points is the
winner.


As an extension, a
new question sheet
could be created.
Working in pairs,
students use the
dictionaries to
answer the
questions.
As a further
extension, ask
students to use an
online dictionary
Assessment: Students participate fully and are Assessment: Check answers
able to work cooperatively to locate the
against key
needed information.
Ask students to share one fact they learned while playing the
dictionary game. Discuss whether playing the game made the
learning more interesting and fun.
Remind students that the dictionary is a resource for
investigating unfamiliar words. Reinforce that dictionaries are
both print and online sources of information. Remind them that
they can use either resource when they are reading or writing.