The “dictionary habit” is a most desirable one. Those children are
fortunate who have instant access to a dictionary when they begin the
work in the fourth grade. However, _children must be taught how to use
the dictionary_. Suggestions for teaching the use of it may be found in
the suggestions for each grade. (See pages 37, 42, 46, 55, etc.) Do not
deaden the interest by requiring the pupils to look up every word in the
lesson, but rather have them look up all words whose spelling or
pronunciation is uncertain. Such work may be used very profitably as a
language lesson rather than as a part of the spelling lesson. Many
interesting and helpful lessons may be given in forming plurals, adding
prefixes and suffixes, selecting derivatives, and finding synonyms other
than those given in the book. _No lesson should be assigned in the
dictionary before the children have been taught how to use it._ The
lessons in this book suggest how to teach its use and give some
practical experience in consulting it for the pronunciation of words.
The resourceful teacher will find opportunity for much additional
practice.