Digging in the dictionary

In this activity, first grade children will learn to use an age-appropriate dictionary to find a word, write its definition, write a sentence using that word, and report their results to their classmates.

A lesson plan for grade 1 Information Skills

By Mary Waldrup

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Related topics

• Learn more about dictionaries, language arts, and reference materials.

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Learning outcomes

The children will learn to use a dictionary by alphabetic listing, select from that dictionary needed information, and write the necessary information in the correct space on a definition form.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• Age-appropriate dictionaries for each two children
• Classroom bucket filled with age-appropriate words
• Attachment #1: Teacher’s transparency for introducing the lesson the the children.
• Attachment #2: Worksheet to be used by the children during the activity

Pre-activities

• Students working in a 4-Block, Word Wall classroom will already be versed in word and definition activities. Those who are not in a 4-Block classroom should be so versed.
• Students will benefit from having prior experience working in pairs, with one child being responsible for one duty (reader) and the other child in the pair being responsible for another duty (writer).

Activities

1. Introduce the activity to the children using the overhead projector and the transparency.
2. Explain to the children that they will be using the same type of design to find the meaning of a word and a sentence using the word they choose from the classroom word bucket.
3. Each pair of children will then take their word, dictionary, and worksheet to the area of their choice.
4. The children will be allowed to choose which child will be the ‘reader’ and which will be the ‘writer.’
5. After the children have completed their worksheets, each pair of children will report to their classmates the word, definition, and sentence written on their worksheets.

Assessment

• Teacher observation during the work session will be documented in anecdotal records.
• Worksheets will be assessed by the teacher for correctness and the children’s understanding of the task to provide a concrete form of assessment of this lesson.

Supplemental information

Comments

This activity is more appropriate for the second semester of first grade.