English Language Arts
Grade 3
15 min
Use dictionary entries: set 1
Use dictionary entries: set 1
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the entry word in a dictionary.
Use guide words to find a word on a page.
Locate the part of speech for an entry word.
Read and understand a simple definition.
Explain what a dictionary entry is used for.
Find a word in the dictionary based on its first three letters.
Have you ever read a word you didn't know and wished you had a secret decoder? 🕵️ A dictionary is just that!
In this lesson, we will learn how to use a dictionary to find new words and understand what they mean. Knowing how to use a dictionary is like having a superpower that helps you become a better reader and writer.
Real-World Applications
Looking up new words you find in a book.
Checking the meaning of a word before you use it in your writing.
Learning how to spel...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Entry WordThe word you are looking up in the dictionary. It is usually in bold print.In the entry for 'happy', the word **happy** is the entry word.
Guide WordsThe two words at the very top of a dictionary page. They tell you the first and last words on that page.If the guide words are 'cat' and 'cow', you know that a word like 'cookie' will be on that page.
Part of SpeechThis tells you what kind of word it is, like a noun, verb, or adjective. It is usually a short abbreviation.For the word 'run', the dictionary might show (v.) which means it is a verb, an action word.
DefinitionThe meaning of the word. It explains what the word means.For the word **brave**, a definition might be 'ready to face danger; showing co...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Guide Word Rule
The word you are looking for must come alphabetically between the two guide words at the top of the page.
Use this rule to quickly find the right page. If your word comes before the first guide word or after the second guide word, you need to turn the page.
The Alphabetical Order Rule
Words are sorted by their first letter, then their second, then their third, and so on.
When looking for a word, you must follow the A-B-C order letter by letter. This is how you find the word on the page after you've used the guide words.
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Challenging
You need a word that is a verb, is pronounced (rūn), and means 'to be in charge of something'. Look at the entry:
**run** (rūn) v. 1. to move with your legs at a speed faster than walking. 2. to be in charge of something, like a club. n. 3. a trip you take by running.
Which part of the entry best fits what you need?
A.The part labeled 'n.'
B.Definition 1
C.Definition 2
D.Definition 3
Challenging
Look at this dictionary entry:
**fall** (fawl) n. 1. the season after summer; autumn. v. 2. to drop down from a higher place.
In the sentence, 'The king's fall from power was a surprise,' which definition is being used in a more thoughtful, less direct way?
A.Definition 2, because 'fall' is used to mean a drop, but not a physical one.
B.Definition 1, because the king lost power during the autumn season.
C.Neither, because the sentence is about a new meaning of 'fall'.
D.Both, because he lost power in the fall and it was a drop.
Challenging
Look at this dictionary entry:
**cool** (kool) adj. 1. slightly cold. 2. calm and not emotional. *He stayed cool under pressure.* 3. stylish or impressive.
What is the purpose of the sentence 'He stayed cool under pressure.' written in italics?
A.It is a fourth definition of the word 'cool'.
B.It is the most important meaning of the word.
C.It is a mistake that should not be there.
D.It is an example showing how to use definition 2 in a sentence.
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