Transcript Dictionaries and Spellcheckers

Target Level 4 - Bread and
Butter Skills – Dictionaries
and Spellcheckers
Icons key:
For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation
Flash activity. These activities are not editable.
Extension activities
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Web addresses
Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page
Accompanying worksheet
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Contents
Using a dictionary – introductory activities
Using a dictionary – guide words
Dictionary definitions
Dictionary practice
Spellcheckers
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Using a dictionary – introductory
activities
Using a dictionary
– introductory activities
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Alphabetical order
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Alphabetical order
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Using a dictionary – guide words
Using a dictionary
– guide words
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Guide words
Dictionaries usually have guide words at the top of each
page, indicating the first and last words on the page.
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Guide words activity
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Dictionaries and Spellcheckers –
Dictionary definitions
Dictionary definitions
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Dictionary definitions
A dictionary will tell you how to spell a word, but it can
tell you far more than this. Here are some types of
information that you will find in a good dictionary.
origin
meaning
pronunciation
uses
It may also tell us word type, whether it is slang, different
meanings, etc. The bigger the dictionary, the more
information you can expect to find.
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Dictionary definitions
Look at how the information is set out in this definition.
main
definition
noun
colloquial
– which
means
informal
use
circus n. Travelling show with
clowns, performing animals, etc.;
(colloq.) a disturbance; [L. circus ring]
further definition
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origin
(L. stands
for Latin)
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Dictionary definitions
Use a dictionary to see how much you can find out about
these words, then report back to the class.
buccaneer
___________________________________
asteroid
___________________________________
poppy
___________________________________
sinister
___________________________________
gargoyle
___________________________________
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Dictionaries and Spellcheckers –
Dictionary practice
Dictionary practice
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Dictionary practice
From a dictionary you will find out that sometimes
words perform more than one function.
E.g. paint can be both a noun and a verb
Use your dictionary to find out the functions of these
words:
hammer –
mirror –
county –
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Word origins
Using a dictionary, find out which languages these words
come from.
bungalow
________________
potato
________________
carousel
________________
volcano
________________
chocolate
________________
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Dictionaries and Spellcheckers Spellcheckers
Spellcheckers
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Spellcheckers
Electronic spellcheckers can be very useful items. You
might have access to a handheld one, and there will
probably be one as part of a word-processing program on
your computer.
They often give various alternatives and you can choose
the correct word.
Make sure you use it wisely, however. A computer
spellchecker may miss some of your errors – particularly
homophones and incorrect apostrophe use.
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Spellcheckers
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Spellcheckers
Another possible problem with a computer
spellchecker is that it might use American English.
In this case, you will have to look out for words which
are spelt differently in American English.
For example: color
favorite
theater
What should these be in British English?
colour
favourite
theatre
Can you think of any other examples of American English
words?
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