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Dictionary Search

SUBJECT: English

GRADES: 3-5, 6-8

by Richard Linville, 8th Grade Teacher
Washington Middle School ,California

BRAINPOP MOVIES	BRAINPOP JR. MOVIES
Dictionary and Thesaurus

OBJECTIVES Students will:

1. Use the guide words in a dictionary to find a word and its information.
2. Students will create a dictionary challenge for their classmates including guide words as clues

MATERIALS

• Dictionary for each student or one dictionary for each small group of students
• A record sheet and pencil for each student
• Computer with internet access and BrainPOP

PREPARATION
The teacher makes a list of 5 words for the students and has a computer set up for viewing BrainPOP. Create a record sheet with a heading that includes: NUMBER (#); WORD; PAGE; GUIDE WORDS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

LESSON PROCEDURE


1. Ask students to explain why people use dictionaries.
2. Take BrainPOP's Dictionary and Thesaurus POP Quiz to quickly assess what students already know.
3. Start the movie. Pause and discuss where necessary
4. After the movie, have the students complete the Quiz again.
5. Next, give each student a record sheet and pencil.
6. Pass out dictionaries to each student or each group of students.
7. Explain that each student or group is going to look up a word using the guide words at the top of each page.
8. When the students find the word, they write down its page number and guide words.
9. Students can share their findings and create dictionary challenges for the other students/groups to find their words using the guide words and a few other clues.
10. Students can correct one another's dictionary challenges.

VOCABULARY
dictionary; thesaurus; entry word; guide words; syllables; definitions; synonym

EXTENSION ACTIVITY


• Change the GUIDE WORDS heading to DEFINITIONS, or PARTS of SPEECH.
• Use a thesaurus instead of a dictionary.
• Tap into the FYI for homework or partner reading activities to extend this topic