The lesson plan template provides details for a 30-minute lesson on using dictionaries for 3rd grade students. The purpose is for students to learn how to get different types of information from dictionary entries. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to look up words using guide words, identify parts of an entry, and find needed information. The lesson involves reviewing guide words, teaching dictionary entry elements like pronunciation and definitions, and having students investigate example words in groups.

1. LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE
Your name: Caitlin Bergan Cooperating teacher-librarian: Kelly Friedlein
Date: April 13, 2010 School & City: Fisher Grade School
Lesson Title: Dictionary
Grade level: 3rd Length of lesson: 30 min
Purpose: (“why” of the lesson; where and how does it fit in the curriculum?)
Students will learn how to get different kinds of information from a dictionary entry.
Learning Outcome(s): (what will students be able to do/know by the end of the lesson?)
Students will be able to look up words using guide words (review from last week), be
able to identify different parts of a dictionary entry, and find the pieces of information that
you need.
Illinois Learning Standard(s) Addressed:
1.A.2b Clarify word meaning using context clues and a variety of resources including glossaries, dictionaries and
thesauruses
5.B.1a Select and organize information from various sources for a specific purpose
Standards for 21st Century Learner Addressed:
1.1.2 Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.
1.1.4 Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions.
Materials:
Needed by you: Needed by students:
Set of Dictionaries Pencils
Worksheet
White Board and Markers
Instructional procedures:
Focusing event: (how will you get the students’ attention?)
As a quick review from last week, all students will be asked to look for the word “habitat” (a
tie in from their science work). What are the guidewords? (H, haggler). What other kinds of
information to we have about the word “habitat” from the entry?
Input from you: (what are you teaching & how are you delivering the content?)
Syllables – the word is divided into syllables by a small space in our dictionaries. Sometimes a raised
dot or a dash in other dictionaries.
Pronunciation – in parenthesis in our dictionary – it is not related to the spelling but how the word is
usually said in American English. There is a guide to the symbols at the top right of every two pages.
Definitions – it only has one definition for habitat – are there other words on the page that have
more than one definition? How do they keep the definitions separate?

2. Example sentence – the dictionary will often show you the word in a sentence so you can see how it is
used correctly.
Part of speech – there is a little “n” at the end of the definition – what could that stand for? Can
some words be more than one?
Etymology – in brackets, this dictionary tells us something more. Does it does it do this for all the
words on this page?
Guided practice: (application of knowledge by students)
You are going to work together at your table to investigate some words for me. You need to
tell only the information asked for about each word your group is assigned. We will go over
it together as a class so you can get the answers to the words your group does not get to.
(Give each table 2 questions to work on and then come back together)
Worksheet
Closure (how will you end the lesson?)
Let’s go over the worksheet together. Which ones were the most tricky.
Check for understanding (what questions will you ask and when to determine students’
understanding?)
Review – How is the dictionary organized? How do we know if the word we want is on the page?
What kinds of information can you learn from a dictionary? What is the most common reason that
you think you would look for most often?
What’s next? (another related lesson, review, end of unit?)
Reference resources and using an encyclopedia.

3. Name: ____________________
Parts of a Dictionary Entry
mistake
What is the part of speech of mistake? ________________
How many definitions does the dictionary list for mistake? _________
poor
What are the guide words for the page that this word is on?
______________ ______________
What does the dictionary tell you about where the word comes from?
_________________________________________________________
record
What is the part of speech of record? ________________
How many definitions does the dictionary list for record? _________
estimation
How many syllables are there in estimation? _________
Copy the pronunciation guide for this word. ___________________
hand
What is the part of speech of hand? ________________
How many definitions does the dictionary list for hand? _________
zenith
What is the example sentence for this word?
_________________________________________________________
Copy the pronunciation guide for this word. ___________________