3 rd Grade Dictionary Skills 1

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 2

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. 3

Alphabetical Order Practice 4 ABC Train Alphabetical Order Powerpoint Paw Park Alphabet Bears ABC Order

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: forgetshakeopposite 5

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. Handout Vacabulary 4 Square worksheet You will write the definition of the word. Once you write the definitions of all the words, you will locate the same words in an on-line dictionary. 6

pronunciation (a way of speaking a word). A dictionary uses symbols to indicate the sounds of the letters in a word. 7

syllable (part of a spoken word). A dictionary generally uses dots between the syllables of a word. Practice clapping the number of syllables in these words. continent bin/student?book=Student&va=cont inent bin/student?book=Student&va=cont inent Ecosystem bin/student?book=Student&va=ecos ystem bin/student?book=Student&va=ecos ystem 8

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 9

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 happy short? tall Can you guess an antonym for dark? light 10

part 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. 11

Can you guess what parts of speech these words are? Click on the link to check your answers. Capitol bin/student?book=Student&va=capitol rapidly bin/student?book=Student&va=rapidly My bin/student?book=Student&va=my Listen bin/student?book=Student&va=listen 12

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