The Dreaded Dictionary (according to my 5th graders! )

By Susie Rogers, ELA, 5th-8th

As my fifth graders dive into The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they are strengthening more than just their reading comprehension — they are building powerful vocabulary skills that will serve them across all subjects. Before reading each chapter, students complete vocabulary work using a physical dictionary, reinforcing alphabetical order, guide words, and the understanding that many words carry multiple meanings. They practice identifying root words and removing prefixes and suffixes to determine the most accurate definitions. While it can be tempting to rely on quick Chromebook searches, we emphasize the importance of these foundational skills and the deeper thinking they require. Through words like trifle, threshold, reign, stratagem, jollification, spiteful, sulky, and inquisitive, students are learning to slow down, analyze language, and appreciate the richness of words — skills that bring both their reading and writing to life.