This activity is to accompany the Teaching Tolerance article "Defining Moments."
Children’s dictionaries have the power to shape how kids see the world. Be sure yours promotes tolerance.
Discussion
- How often do you use a dictionary to look up a word you don’t know?
- What do you do if the word is not listed in the dictionary?
- Do you ever wonder if the dictionary definition could be incorrect?
- Do you ever check more than one dictionary to compare the definitions?
Activity
Are
you ready to be a dictionary detective? Language changes very fast. Sometimes
it’s hard for the dictionary to keep up with how certain words are being used.
Use your detective skills to complete the chart below. Use three different
dictionaries to look up the definition for each word in the first column. Consider
what is similar and different. Is anything missing? Finally, write your own
definition in the last column. It should reflect what you think is the most
common and appropriate use of the word.
Around the Web
This
online resource from the Human Rights Campaign offers several helpful
compilations of age-appropriate definitions for grades K to 5 for words related
to LGBTQ issues, bullying and more.
