Virginia SOL 3.RV.1.I
The Standard
Use glossaries, beginning dictionaries and thesauruses, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Vocabulary Development and Word Analysis
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use print and digital glossaries, beginner dictionaries, and thesauruses to clarify unfamiliar words and phrases. They use sentence context to choose the meaning or synonym that fits.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students quickly find an entry using alphabetical order or a search box. They choose a definition or synonym that fits the sentence and name the reference tool they used.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose the first definition listed, even when it does not fit the sentence. They may think every thesaurus synonym can replace the original word without changing the meaning.
How to Assess It
- Give students the sentence, “Mia sat on the riverbank to watch the ducks.” Ask them to use a dictionary to define “bank” and explain their choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus, then have them match word cards to the best tool for finding needed information.
Ask students to write which tool they would use to define “enormous” and which tool they would use to replace it.
Play Reference Tool Relay, where teams locate a definition, pronunciation, and synonym for teacher-selected words.
Have students use a digital dictionary to clarify an unfamiliar word from a school notice, menu, weather report, or library sign.
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Printable 3.RV.1.I Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 5.RV.1.J
Use glossaries, beginning dictionaries, and thesauruses, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases.
- 7.RV.1.G
Use general and specialized word-reference materials, print and digital, to identify word origins and derivations, pronunciations, precise meanings, and their p...
- 3.LU.2.E
Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries to check and correct spelling.
- 4.RV.1.I
Use glossaries,beginning dictionaries, and thesauruses, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases.
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