Lesson Planning of Dictionary Skills

 

Lesson Planning of Dictionary Skills

Subject English

Grade 3^rd

Students` Learning Outcomes

• Familiarize them with a dictionary in preparation for its use.

Information for Teachers

• A dictionary provides meanings to the words. Sometimes one meaning and at times as many meanings the word can have.
• With a dictionary, we can learn how to spell a word.

• All the dictionaries provide different meanings of the word. Dictionaries give us:

1. 1. Definitions
   2. Correct pronunciation
   3. Grammar usage (word form/ part of speech)
   4. Division of syllables
   5. Sometimes,  a sample sentence is given to clarify usage / meaning.
      

 

• A dictionary has guide words. Guide words are found at the top of each page in the dictionary (some dictionaries place them on the far left and right of two facing pages. They tell the first and last words found on that page.
• When you teach the lesson plan on syllables, stress and intonation patterns, and then use the dictionary again to show the pronunciation and division of syllables which is given in the dictionary.

• Select words for the lessons from textbook and find their meaning from the dictionary.
• While teaching the lesson, the teacher should also consult the textbook where it is required.

Material / Resources

Writing board, chalk / marker, duster, dictionary, paper, pencils, chart, textbook

Introduction

Show the dictionary to the students.

 

• Ask them how it is different from all other books they have seen so far.
• (Possible responses: List form, some words written on the top of the page and some words written in a bigger or bold font)
• Tell the concept behind the guide words. Explain why they are at the top of each page. Also show them how they can find the desired word from the related page.
• Take one word and read its meaning.
  

 

• Tell its part/s of speech, correct pronunciation and the division of syllables.(Each syllable is marked by a slash(/)

 

Development

Activity 1

• Draw the following table on a chart and paste it on the board.

Words	Guide Words	Page Number	Meaning in Local language / English

• Ask the class to find new words from the lesson from the textbook they will study next.
• Now call some students to write words on the chart. Help them find the guide words which will lead towards these words from the dictionary. If possible have two or more different types of dictionaries with you.
• Tell the students that even though the pages are numbered, but they need guide words to locate / find words in a dictionary.
  

 

• Help them write the page number and related simple meaning.
• Check and discuss the chart with the students. Then display it in the classroom.

 

Activity 2

• Introduce a word which may have different meanings (e.g. row: it is both a noun and a verb). Ask if anyone knows the meaning.
• Tell the students that dictionary tells the specific part/s of speech of a word.
• Take out the word from the dictionary and read its different meanings given there.
• Read the sentence, if given in the dictionary about the word or make a sentence of your own.

Activity 3

• Use the dictionary page given in the textbook or take a page from the dictionary and make photocopies for students. (You can give a photocopy to every pair of students.)
• Follow the instructions given in the textbook to read and now about the dictionary.
• Do the exercises given in the textbook related to this topic.

Sum up / Conclusion

• Conclude the lesson by helping the students find different words in the dictionary and make them understand that dictionary is important in finding meanings of different words.

Assessment

• Assess the students by asking them to find a word from the dictionary.
• Ask about guide words.
• Ask about the parts of speech of the word.

Follow up

• Ask the students to prepare ‘My Word Book’ by finding one word each day from dictionary (If they have it with them at home). They can be encouraged to use the class dictionary after they have finished their work. Give them a different word each time to make them self-directed learners.
• Call one student daily to share one new word and its meaning. Students may have turns according to their names in the register.