Use of the Dictionary
The “dictionary habit” is a most desirable one. Those children are fortunate who have instant access to a dictionary when they begin the work in the fourth grade. However, children must be taught how to use the dictionary. Suggestions for teaching the use of it may be found in the suggestions for each grade. (See pages 37, 42, 46, 55, etc.) Do not deaden the interest by requiring the pupils to look up every word in the lesson, but rather have them look up all words whose spelling or pronunciation is uncertain. Such work may be used very profitably as a language lesson rather than as a part of the spelling lesson. Many interesting and helpful lessons may be given in forming plurals, adding prefixes and suffixes, selecting derivatives, and finding synonyms other than those given in the book. No lesson should be assigned in the dictionary before the children have been taught how to use it. The lessons in this book suggest how to teach its use and give some practical experience in consulting it for the pronunciation of words. The resourceful teacher will find opportunity for much additional practice.