Using a Dictionary
English: Year 3 & 4 National Curriculum, topic 2.10.1
Using a Dictionary for Spellings
Using a dictionary helps us check our spellings. Let's look at how you can use the first 2 or 3 letters of a word to check if it is spelt correctly...
Why do we use a dictionary?
- In our writing, we sometimes find words we are not confident at spelling. It is important that we use a dictionary to help us.
- The first few letters of the word will help us begin to find it.
1) Pick a word
- Imagine you are looking up the word 'disguised' to see if you have spelt it correctly.
2) Look up 'd'
2) Look up 'di'
3) Look up 'dis'
4) Find 'disguised'!
- By now, you should be able to find the word 'disguised'. But if you cannot find it just yet, don't worry! You can look up the fourth or fifth letter if that helps you.
- Once you have found the word, you can check its spelling!
Test yourself on Using a Dictionary
What do we use dictionaries for?
What do we use to help us check our spellings?
Checking the Spelling of 'Animal' in a Dictionary
Checking the Spelling of 'Dentist' in a Dictionary
Checking the Spelling of 'Hippopotamus' in a Dictionary