Browse

Dictionary Skills Worksheets

11 free PDFsUS Letter PDFsAnswer key includedNo login

ABC order to the third letter, guide words, the parts of a dictionary entry, choosing the meaning that fits, and using a glossary in a nonfiction book, with answer keys.

Download the dictionary skills worksheets

ABC order to the third letter

Twelve words in groups that share their first two letters. Write them in order, the way a dictionary lists them.

  • Preview of the printable “ABC order to the third Letter: set A” worksheet: putting words in ABC order to the third letter, the way a dictionary doesView all 2 pages

    ABC order to the third Letter: set A

    Putting words in ABC order to the third letter, the way a dictionary does

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages51 KB

  • Preview of the printable “ABC order to the third Letter: set B” worksheet: putting words in ABC order to the third letter, the way a dictionary doesView all 2 pages

    ABC order to the third Letter: set B

    Putting words in ABC order to the third letter, the way a dictionary does

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages51 KB

  • Preview of the printable “ABC order to the third Letter: set C” worksheet: putting words in ABC order to the third letter, the way a dictionary doesView all 2 pages

    ABC order to the third Letter: set C

    Putting words in ABC order to the third letter, the way a dictionary does

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages50 KB

Guide words

Decide whether a word belongs on a dictionary page, and find the page where each word would be.

Reading a dictionary entry

The parts of an entry, and choosing the numbered meaning that fits a sentence.

  • Preview of the printable “Parts of a dictionary entry” worksheet: reading the parts of a dictionary entry: syllables, part of speech, meanings and word formsView all 2 pages

    Parts of a dictionary entry

    Reading the parts of a dictionary entry: syllables, part of speech, meanings and word forms

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages47 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Use the Dictionary: which Meaning? set A” worksheet: using a dictionary entry to choose the meaning that fits a sentenceView all 2 pages

    Use the Dictionary: which Meaning? set A

    Using a dictionary entry to choose the meaning that fits a sentence

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages53 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Use the Dictionary: which Meaning? set B” worksheet: using a dictionary entry to choose the meaning that fits a sentenceView all 2 pages

    Use the Dictionary: which Meaning? set B

    Using a dictionary entry to choose the meaning that fits a sentence

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages54 KB

Using a glossary

A glossary page from a nonfiction book, with questions about meanings, page numbers and ABC order.

  • Preview of the printable “Using a Glossary: weather” worksheet: using a glossary to find word meanings and page numbers in a nonfiction bookView all 2 pages

    Using a Glossary: weather

    Using a glossary to find word meanings and page numbers in a nonfiction book

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages52 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Using a Glossary: fossils” worksheet: using a glossary to find word meanings and page numbers in a nonfiction bookView all 2 pages

    Using a Glossary: fossils

    Using a glossary to find word meanings and page numbers in a nonfiction book

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages53 KB

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these dictionary skills worksheets

Dictionary skills help children check a spelling and find the exact meaning of a word. In 3rd grade they learn to put words in ABC order past the first letter, use the guide words at the top of a page to find a word fast, read the parts of an entry (syllables, part of speech, numbered meanings) and use the glossary at the back of a nonfiction book.

These dictionary skills worksheets practice each step. Three ABC order pages go to the third letter. Guide word pages ask whether a word would be on a page and which page it would be on. The entry pages show a real-looking dictionary entry and ask children to choose the numbered meaning that fits a sentence, and the glossary pages use a glossary from a book about weather or fossils. Every page has an answer key.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.GConsult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.4.DUse glossaries or beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.4Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

How to use them

  1. Start with ABC order to the third letter; it is the skill every other page builds on.
  2. Then teach guide words with a real dictionary: open to any page and ask children to name a word that would be on it and one that would not.
  3. Use the entry and glossary pages during a reading or science lesson, so children see why the skill matters.

Teaching tips

  • Teach guide words with the phrase 'between them in ABC order'. A word belongs on the page if it would come after the first guide word and before the last one.
  • When a word has several meanings, have children try each numbered meaning in the sentence and choose the one that makes sense.
  • A glossary only lists words from its own book, and only the meaning used in that book. Point out the page numbers that lead back to the text.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What dictionary skills are taught in 3rd grade?

Alphabetical order to the third letter, guide words, the parts of an entry (syllables, part of speech, meanings) and choosing the right meaning, plus using a glossary in a nonfiction book.

What are guide words?

The two words printed at the top of a dictionary page. The first is the first word on the page and the second is the last. Every word on the page comes between them in ABC order.