Destination Dictionary
Submitted by: Michael Miller
Endorsed by: Dr. Don E. Descy, Mankato State
Date: 10/28/96
Description:
So many times children come across many words that are unfamiliar to them. Most of the
time they choose to ignore the word without really understanding what the word really
means. We have access to several resources around the classroom or in our homes that can
help combat this problem. This lesson gives the children an opportunity to use the
dictionary, and to become more familiar with using it.
Grade Level: 3-5
Goal:
To have the children become more familiar with the uses of the dictionary.
Objectives:
- Have the children read a short story that I select, and find three unfamiliar words.
After they have found three unfamiliar words, look up the definitions in the dictionary.
- After the definitions have been found, proceed to use the words in sentences, while
constructing a short story.
Background information:
This activity can be used with any Reading or Spelling unit at virtually any age level.
The lesson is designed to show children just how easy and beneficial using the dictionary
can be.
Concepts:
Students will be able to:
- Discover the importance of using the dictionary in the understanding of unfamiliar
words.
- Identify the difficulty of reading a short story with several unfamiliar words.
Materials:
- 5 dictionary's
- 25 short stories (1 for each child)
Procedure:
- Have the students read the short story that they have been given, and come up with three
unfamiliar words.
- Divide the class in half, half with dictionary's, the other half without.
- The half with dictionary's look up their unfamiliar words and put them into sentences,
while the other half tries to put their unfamiliar words in sentences without the use of
the dictionary.
- Then switch the class around, giving each child a new short story and repeat the
process.
- After they have been given sufficient time to complete the task, split them up into five
groups of five and discuss the unfamiliar words they have found with one another.
- Have each child use one of their unfamiliar words in a group short story that will be
handed in.
Assessment:
- Ask the students which activity was easier, the one with the dictionary's or the one
without.
- Ask them if it was hard to make a short story with so many unfamiliar words.
- Give them a small list of tough words to find in the dictionary, and put them into
sentences.
|
