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Thank you for choosing this Reading Champs Instructional Handbook (this publication). The information contained within this and other publications within this series is intended to provide a schema for sequential development of the basic skills necessary to succeed in learning to read--at any age. Each individual handbook presents a highly-focused view on a specific topic.

With that being said, let us state clearly that this publication is copyrighted under U.S. Title 17 and ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. This means you may not copy this publication, or any part thereof, for any reason other than to print ONE authorized copy for your personal use. You may not sell or give away a copy of this publication. Further, you are hereby noticed that anyone violating the terms of this Copyright and Notice is in violation of United States Federal Statutes and may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, financial, investment, or other licensed or regulated professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is desired, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The information in this book is intended only for educational purposes.

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Everyone knows that dictionaries offer a source of information for the spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of words. And these are the major uses of any good dictionary. But did you know that a quality dictionary can tell the part of speech (part of grammar skills) of a word. It can give you the origin (or origins) of a word. In some cases, it will give you a synonym (words which mean the same thing) or an antonym (words with an opposite meaning) for your word.

When you learn to use a dictionary, you automatically learn and reinforce at least three major sub-skills:

Locating Words

• Knowing alphabetic sequence.
  
• Determining what letters precede and follow a given letter.
  
• Alphabetizing words according to their beginning two or three letters.
  
• Using guide words effectively.
  
• Knowing how to use a "thumb index."
• Identifying the parts of speech.
  

Pronunciation Skills

• Using key words and diacritical markings.
  
• Recognizing syllables.
  
• Using accent marks.
  
• Understanding the phonetic spelling.
  

Definition Skills

• Knowing multiple meanings of the same word.
  
• Understanding the definitions.
  
• Selecting the correct definition for the context.
  

CSML-029 / 090618

Copyright 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Rita M. Wirtz, M.A. -- All Rights Reserved