Phonogram Dictionary

Phonogram Dictionary
Language - Reading
Level	Primary
Age	5.5
Prerequisites	Silent e
Materials	Phonogram Dictionary

In this activity the child learns to use the Phonogram Dictionary. This is a reference booklet that allows the child to look up unfamiliar phonograms (graphemes) in words while reading.
(The Phonogram Dictionary pictured is available to print.)

Presentation

1. The Phonogram Dictionary begins with a page reminding the child of the Key Sounds as the are written with the Sandpaper Letters and Double Sandpaper Letters.

   

2. There is a different tabbed page for almost every phonogram the child may come across while reading that is not among the Key Sounds.

   

3. Show the child that some phonograms (such as ph) have just one sound that they might represent in any words.

   

4. Some phonograms (such as s) could represent several different sounds. The more commonly used sounds for each phonogram are listed first, the less likely possibilities are last.

   

5. Find an example of a phonogram in a word in a book.

   

6. Find the tab for that phonogram in the Dictionary.

   

7. Flip to that page to see what sound the phonogram represents.

   

8. Some phonograms can represent more than one sound. Look through the options to see which one makes sense for the word in the book.

   

Material

Make Your Own

• Printable Phonogram Dictionary (as seen above)

  Cut along gray lines and bind edge with comb-binding.

Further Reading

• Wikipedia's article on English Orthography especially the section on Spelling Patterns
• Dialect Survey Results: study of the way some words are pronounced differently in various parts of the United States done at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• A Path for the Exploration of Any Language Leading to Writing and Reading by Muriel I. Dwyer, pages 33 & 34
• Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, page 154