#2121. Dictionary Game

Language, level: Elementary
Posted Wed Feb 7 23:41:44 PST 2001 by TW Main (adorable@xtra.co.nz).
Tommophonic Ltd, Kaikohe New Zealand
Materials Required: Set of dictionaries
Activity Time: 10 to 20 minutes
Concepts Taught: Locating words alphabetically

As part of your language time or as an activity when 10 or 20 minutes are spare you elect 2 or 3 children to be seated at the front of the class. They fold their arms. A dictionary is placed before each of them. I also have a dictionary (the same as they have) and I find a word I wish them to locate. I give the children the word orally. At my command the children find the word in their dictionary. Once one of the children locates the word they raise their hand and call out "stop!" I check to see if the word is correct. If it is then that person becomes the champion and remains seated whilst the other children go and sit down. I then select new challengers to begin a second round. If the word is incorrect (when a child calls out "stop!") I announce that it is incorrect and the game continues. This game can be played in levels so that the children at each level are as equally matched as possible. The children learn alphabetical, dictionary and spelling skills.