2.2.D

ELA2nd GradeThe student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell.

The Standard

alphabetize a series of words and use a dictionary or glossary to find words

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students put words in alphabetical order. When words begin with the same letter, they compare later letters. They use guide words and alphabetical order to find entries in dictionaries and glossaries.

What Mastery Looks Like

Students accurately alphabetize a list, checking the second or third letter when needed. They use guide words to locate a dictionary entry. They find a term in a book glossary and read its meaning.

Common Misconceptions

Students may sort only by the first letter and guess when words begin with the same letter. They may overlook guide words or search for a word under its meaning. Some expect every glossary to include all unfamiliar words.

How to Assess It

Give students six words, including three with the same first letter, to alphabetize. Then ask them to find one word in a dictionary and write its meaning.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Give pairs word cards and an alphabet strip, then have them arrange the cards and check words sharing the same first letter.

  2. Ask, “How do you decide whether ship or shoe comes first?” and have students write a two-sentence explanation.

  3. Play Dictionary Hunt: students draw a word card, locate the entry, and earn a point by reading its guide words.

  4. Use a science textbook glossary to find three habitat words, then record each word, page number, and meaning.

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