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 English Language Arts
Learn more
Related pages
- Wet Your Kinders' Chops on the Sound "Op"!: Kinders will explore the sound “Op” with a reading of Charlie Parker Played Be-Bop by Chris Raschka and a showing of the PBS Between the Lions episode #130 “Be Bop,” which also features the Charlie Parker book and explores the “op” sound.
Related topics
- Learn more about English language arts.
Legal
This page copyright ©2008. Terms of use
Learning outcomes
The children will learn to use a dictionary by alphebetic listing, select from that dictionary needed information, and write the necessary information in the correct space on a defintion form.
Teacher planning
Time required for lesson
Minutes
Materials/resources
- Age-appropriate dictionaries for each two children
- Classroom bucket filled with age-appropriate words
- Overhead Projector transparency (attachment #1)
- Worksheets for each pair of children (attachment #2)
Technology resources
None.
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
- Introduce the activity to the children using the overhead projector and the attachment #1.
- Explain to the children that they will be using the same type of design to find the meaning of and a sentence using the word they choose from the classroom word bucket.
- Each pair of children will then take their word, dictionary, and worksheet to the area of their choice.
- The children will be allowed to choose which child will be the ‘reader’ and which will be the ‘writer.’
- 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
Attachment # 1: Teacher’s transparency for introducing the lesson the the children.
Attachment #2: Worksheet to be used by the children during the activity. (This worksheet was developed on Appleworks 5.0)
Related websites
N/A
Comments
This activity is more appropriate for the second semester of first grade.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.03: Read and comprehend both fiction and nonfiction text appropriate for grade one using:
- prior knowledge.
- summary.
- questions.
- graphic organizers.
- Objective 2.09: Read and understand simple written instructions.
- Objective 2.03: Read and comprehend both fiction and nonfiction text appropriate for grade one using:
- Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
- Objective 4.01: Select and use new vocabulary and language structures in both speech and writing contexts (e.g., oral retelling using exclamatory phrases to accent an idea or event).
