Use guide words

Key Notes :

Hi everyone! Today, we’re going to learn about guide words. They’re like little helpers in the dictionary that show you which words are on that page.

What are Guide Words?

Guide words are at the top of each page in the dictionary. There are two of them, one on the left and one on the right. They tell you the first and last word on that page, alphabetically.

First Guide Word: The word that comes first on the page (alphabetically). Everything on that page starts with this word… or comes after it in the alphabet! Example: If the first guide word is apple, all the words on that page will be apple, apricot, astronaut, etc.

Second Guide Word: The word that comes last on the page (alphabetically). Everything on that page comes before this word in the alphabet! Example: If the second guide word is balloon, all the words on that page will be baby, bake, ball, balloon.

How to Use Guide Words

Let’s say you want to find the word ‘cat‘ in the dictionary. Here’s how guide words can help:

1. Open the dictionary to a random page.
2. Look at the guide words at the top of the page. Let’s pretend they are ‘bug‘ and ‘dog‘.
3. Ask yourself: Does ‘cat‘ come between ‘bug‘ and ‘dog‘ in the alphabet?
4. Yes! Bug, Cat, Dog
5. If not, turn the page until you find guide words that ‘cat‘ comes between.

Let’s try another one. You want to find the word ‘zebra‘. You see the guide words ‘water‘ and ‘xylophone‘.

Does ‘zebra‘ come between ‘water‘ and ‘xylophone‘?

No! Water, Xylophone, Zebra.

You need to turn further into the dictionary until you find guide words that include Z.

Let’s Practice!

Imagine these are the guide words in your dictionary. Would you find the word listed on that page? Write yes or no!

• Guide Words: fish, goat Word: frog
  Answer: Yes!

• Guide Words: jump, king Word: happy
  Answer: No!

• Guide Words: nose, orange Word: nest
  Answer: Yes!

Summary

Guide words are your friends in the dictionary! They help you find words quickly by showing you the words that are on each page. Remember to look at the first and last guide words and see if the word you’re looking for comes between them alphabetically. Happy reading!

let’s practice!