How To Build A Personal Picture Dictionary For MLs
A personal picture dictionary is a helpful tool to build your students’ vocabulary. Newcomer ESL students and Multilingual Learners (MLs) benefit from seeing pictures as they learn new vocabulary words. Beginning readers also benefit from using a picture dictionary to help with spelling. When you create your own picture dictionary for students to use, this gives you the flexibility to introduce the vocabulary or phonics words before adding them to the dictionary. Add in content vocabulary that goes along with your science and social studies units. You can also include high-interest vocabulary words on topics that the student is interested in to build engagement.
Tools for Creating A Personal Picture Dictionary
When you put together a personal picture dictionary for your students, you have the flexibility to build it as you go and only include the words that students have been introduced to. Decide if the picture dictionary will be used by one student or multiple students. Also, decide if you want to be able to add content to the dictionary over time.
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Here are some simple office materials that I have found work best.
Start by deciding what your will use to hold the personal picture dictionary. I suggest a binder, a folder, or stapling them together.
Binders, either 1/2 inch or 1 inch, work best so that they do not take up much storage room.
3 Pronge Folders– these are a less expensive option for storing the dictionary pages. They also take up less storage space compared to binders.
Sheet protectors– if you are creating the picture dictionary for one student, these are probably not necessary. If multiple students will be using it, or you hope to reuse the dictionary for multiple years, the sheet protectors add durability.
Stapler- Stapling the dictionary sheets together is the fastest setup method. It does take away the flexibility of adding to the dictionary later. You can staple together small sections of a dictionary to give to students for new topics.
Resources for adding to the Picture Dictionary
The first step in deciding what you will add to the picture dictionary is to decide on its purpose. Is this a phonics dictionary, basic vocabulary one, content vocabulary, or will it have sections for each of these topics?
ELD Picture Dictionary– This includes photographs and is available in print and an editable Google Slides version.
Newcomer Phonics Picture Dictionary– The picture dictionary is organized so that it introduces vocabulary words and letter sounds at the same time. Each page builds in difficulty, including the number of letters and sounds used.
This dictionary is designed to go with a newcomer phonics program that introduces letters in a sequential way while building vocabulary at the same time. It is designed with older elementary ELLs in mind.
Illustrated Vocabulary Words– General, seasonal, and holiday themed vocabulary words with pictures.
Learn how to use a picture dictionary with your students.
Looking for a ready made picture dictionary to save on color printing? Get a physical copy of the English Dictionary for Kids.
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