Materials

• Worksheets - Print these printable worksheets (see below).

• One dictionary and thesaurus per student, or students may share.

Procedure:

Teachers:  Most students have heard about dictionaries and may have used them before. Review the importance of proper spelling and the use of creative, exact words in all writing: the reader will understand what the writer is trying to say, and there will be less confusion if words are spelled and used correctly. (Review" alphabetical order" if needed.)

A dictionary shows:
          1.  The proper spelling of a word
          2.  How to pronounce the word
          3.  The syllables of a word
          4.  The meaning of a word

Exercise: have each student look up various words in their dictionary. As a class or individually, let students read out loud the meaning, spelling, and syllable/pronunciation of each word.
          Some example words:  pronounce, technique, dazzle, etc....

A thesaurus shows:
          1.  Synonyms (same meaning) for words - sometimes you need an alternate word, instead of repeating the same word over and over.
          2.  Antonyms (opposite) for words (sometimes offered in a thesaurus).

Exercise:  have each student look up the same words that they looked up earlier in the dictionary. Read out loud any synonyms and/or antonyms for those words.

More Language Arts Lesson Plans and Teaching Worksheets

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