Thanks to all who posted hits for "team" dictionary games!
Holly Roge
Library Media Specialist
Cudahy Public Schools
hroge@wi.rr.com
*****
I have students play "Dictionary Grand Prix" to practice dictionary skills.
I have 5 tables for students. Each table has a dictionary. My game board
is a grid made with about 5-6 squares across and lines for 5 vehicles (I
downloaded pictures from the web - have a bus, a tank, a race car, a truck
and a train). I have words typed in large letters and laminated for reuse
(list attached). Students at each table take turns looking the word up -
one in charge, one to help (checks spelling, guide words, etc.), the rest
cheering silently. I tell them to keep their finger on the word and raise
their hand when they get the word. Other teams are supposed to keep looking
until I check the word (county versus country, legislature vs. legislative,
etc.). Kids like the game and often ask to play it again.
Hope this is helpful
Sally Bub
School Library Media Specialist
#23 School
Rochester, NY 14607
sch23lib@yahoo.com
*********
I don't know if this is what you want, but it sure is fun! We introduce
dictionaries in second grade. In third and fourth grades we play
"Dictionary Balderdash" to teach dictionary use. We do not use electronic
dictionaries.
We have a class set of dictionaries, so each student can use one. I made a
Power Point game based on the old Balderdash game. In it, I ask questions
and reveal one possible answer at a time. For example, one question is:
Is QUAHOG a
A. NOUN - As in "We ate a lot of quahog for lunch"
B. VERB - As in "Elephants quahog through the
jungle"
C. An ADJECTIVE - As in "That is a really quahog
whale!"
The students guess which answer is correct by choosing from a deck of A, B
and C cards at their place. Once all have guessed (the fun is in trying to
trick them!), they look the word up in the dictionary. Along the way, we
reinforce guide words, pronunciation and definitions as well as parts of
speech. It's a fun way to learn what can be found in the dictionary, as
well as reinforcing alphabetization and guide word skills.
I can send the file, if you like, but each dictionary has different words,
and I have had to revise as we get new sets.
Have fun!
MaryAnn Karre, Librarian
Horace Mann Elementary School
Binghamton, New York
I have used Human Dictionary for a number of years with third grade and it
is one of the most popular activities we do. Using an actual student
dictionary, I chose four different pages to use for the game. Using the
four pages I chose, I copied each pair of guide words onto a strip of
colored poster board. Then on smaller cards, I wrote several words from the
dictionary pages, one word per card.
To play the game, I usually ask the teacher to choose students to be the
"guide words." We generally chose students who already understand the
concept. These four students are posted in alphabetical order in the four
corners of our working space and are asked to hold up their cards (and keep
them held up) so everyone can see them. The remainder of the students are
given the individual word cards. The object is to find the "page" on which
you belong. Once all the "words" are on their proper page, they need to be
arranged in alphabetical order.
I am sure this is not something I thought up, but found and adapted from
someone else. Let me know if you need further instructions.
Carol Burr burrc@k12tn.net
Library Media Specialist
Goodlettsville Elementary School
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
I have played a dictionary relay race where I put at the top of a white
board two words that would be guide words. I then put a series of words
that would fit between the two guide words and some that won't. The kids
are divided into teams (I have two lists of word sets), and they take turns
going up and circling the word that fits between the guide words. It's a
lot of fun and the kids enjoy it. Each student gets a chance to circle a
word. I make it a silent game, so there is no running or yelling. They're
not suppose to help each other either. Also, they hand off the white board
marker to the next person (like a relay race).
Good luck.
Kerrlita Westrick
Media Specialist
Verrado School
Buckeye, AZ
I have a flipping score keeper. It has a red set of numbers and a blue set.
The scores can go up to 99. If I want to be sure to have the attention of
the students and review what we have learned, I just bring out the score
keeper. It doesn't matter what the questions are...the kids love it and
don't even think they are reviewing/learning!
I'd ask questions like:
Name one thing you can find out from the dictionary. (spelling,
pronounciation, meaning, origin...) How are words arranged? (alphabetically)
What feature helps you locate a word more quickly? (guide words) etc.
You could also have a set of words they are using in their classroom studies
(science terms, historical terms, math terms):
Have a race to see which team can locate the word first to get a point. Have
them find the guide words are for that word or show 2 guide words and have
the team select which word would be located between those guide words. Have
them tell you how many meanings the word has. Have them select the correct
meaning of the word if it has multiple meanings. Have them locate the origin
of the word. Have them spell the word with a suffix added.
An idea from a fellow librarian:
A "dart board" type game also works. If they get the correct answer, they
can through a ball with velcro at a "dart board" and see where their ball
sticks. Each area has a designated number of points. They add these points
to their team score.
Hope this helps.
Peggy Simpson, lms
Mountain View Elementary (preK-5)
Harrisonburg, VA
I recently (Christmas) did a game with 3rd graders with the encyclopedia -
it might work for the dictionary. I took Christmas terms, typed them up on
paper, cut them up and put them in a basket. They chose their own term. Then
I had them write down the first sentence of the entry to practice their
writing skills. You could have them write the first definition and maybe a
synonym. With Valentine's Day coming up, maybe you could do this theme. I
would make sure that the dictionary has all the terms first. I was surprised
that the encyclopedia didn't have all the terms I came up with.
I was surprised at the results. Some of the smarter students had trouble
with alphabetizing letter by letter. One student who's considered a
troublemaker really took off with the project, and helped the smart kids
finish their words. I pushed the use of the guide words, and they easily
understand this concept.
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth Van Pate, Grafenwoehr, Germany
One of my teachers told me of a fun game which I have used successfully at
a number of schools. It is called The Dictionary Duel. First, I make
certain that the students know what a "duel" is. I place 2 identical
dictionaries in opposite corners of the room. Then I tell them the
rules. Two students meet in the front of the room, shake hands and
salute. Each stands in front of a dictionary. I call out a word, repeat
it and then say fire. They cannot open the book until then. The first one
who finds the word wins. That student reads out the guide words, brief
definition, and part of speech. The entire class claps for the
duelists. It is more fun if the entire class can look up the word at the
same time (they are not allowed to say anything, but can hold up a hand
when they have the answer). You can use seasonal words, etc.
Kathleen Murdock [kmurdock@columbus.rr.com]
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