Many students love the challenge of a scavenger hunt. When first formally introducing elementary students to a dictionary or glossary, allow them to have a little fun with a scavenger hunt. Each student will need an identical copy of the reference. Photocopy a list of objects to find throughout their dictionary or glossary. Use clues such as:
What page is the word "dog" on?
How many pages of words beginning with "x" are in this dictionary?
What is the last word in this dictionary?
Locate the word "one." What three parts of speech is "one"?
How many syllables does the word "fire" have according to this dictionary?
What is the first noun in this dictionary with four syllables?
Allow students to work independently or in groups to find all the items on their scavenger hunt list.
Guide words help dictionary readers narrow the search for a particular word. In order to build familiarity with guide words, lead a class through activities that make students work this idea backward. Write down a list of 10 random words for upper-elementary pupils or 20 words for middle school students that can be found in the dictionary. Post this list of words on the board or photocopy one list for each student. Instruct students to locate each word from the list in the dictionary or glossary. Students must write down the two guide words from the page containing the selected word from the list. As an additional challenge, rather than simply listing the two guide words, ask students to use the two guide words in a sentence.
In order to help students understand the format of a dictionary, have them create their own. Divide a class of upper-elementary or middle school students into groups of three or four. Instruct them to invent 10 to 15 new words. Students must provide the base word, synonym, antonym, definition and syllabication for each word. Allow students to refer to a dictionary as their guide. Assess each group's demonstration of dictionary knowledge based on the thoroughness of information provided for each word.
Play fast-paced games that motivate students to navigate their way through a dictionary efficiently in order to win the game. Call out any word to the class. Challenge them to see who can call out the page number the word is found on first. For a more challenging game, offer dictionary clues for students to use to find a word. For example, use clues such as: "I begin with the ninth letter of the alphabet. My second letter is an a. I have two syllables. I have three definitions." The first student to call out the correct word wins the round.