Alphabetizing and Using Dictionary Skills

Reference Materials

Using dictionaries and glossaries

Second GradeUsing Google Clipart Images

A dictionary…...It’s a book filled with words that are alphabetized. That means they are in ABC order.

You can find the meaning of a word, it’s correct spelling, the syllables in the word, and how to say it correctly.

Dictionary setup…..A dictionary is setup in alphabetical order so it’s easier to find words.

At the top of each page you will find GUIDE WORDS.

Guide words……...Guide words tell you the first word on that page and the last one.

If you know your alphabet, and your word is between these, your word is on this page.

Glossaries…..These are little dictionaries at the back of your reading book.

They are dictionaries of the important words that are in your book.

Getting ready to use a dictionary..Before you can use a dictionary, you need to practice alphabetizing words.

Let’s try….friendpigcatdeer

Which letter comes first in the alphabet?

Alphabetizing….Step 1- Look at the first letter of the word

friend fpig pcat cdeer d

a b c d e f g h i j k l mn o p q r s t u v w x y z

Step 2 Find the letters in the alphabet…

Yes, C comes first. so CAT is first when we alphabetize


Step 3 Find the next letters in the alphabet…

Yes, D comes next. so DEER is second when we alphabetize



Yes, F comes next. so FRIEND is third when we alphabetize



Yes, P comes next. so PIG is last when we alphabetize

Write your list…..friend catpig deercat frienddeer pig

Hard work, thanks for not giving up!Now you’re ready to look up words in the dictionary

Alphabetizing and Using Dictionary Skills

Education