Glossary: Terms Starting with D
104 definitions with links to the lessons that teach each word.
dangling modifier
English
a modifier with nothing sensible to describe
Learn it in: Modifiers (Grade 6)
dash
English
a long mark showing a break in thought
Learn it in: Punctuation and editing (Grade 5), Punctuation (Grade 6)
data
Maths
Facts we collect.
Learn it in: Interpreting simple data (Grade 1), Collecting data (Grade 2), Collecting data (Grade 3)
debate
English
a structured discussion in which two sides argue a motion
Learn it in: Introductory debates (Grade 6)
decimal
Maths
A number with a decimal point.
Learn it in: Understanding tenths (Grade 4), Writing decimals (Grade 4), Fractions and decimals (Grade 4)
decimal place
Maths
Digit after the point.
Learn it in: Decimal multiplication (Grade 6), Rounding and estimation (Grade 6)
decimal point
Maths
Separates ones from tenths.
Learn it in: Understanding tenths (Grade 4), Understanding hundredths (Grade 4), Decimal place value (Grade 5)
decode
English
read a word using letter sounds
Learn it in: Blending sounds into words (Grade 1), Decodable word reading (Grade 1), Decoding longer words (Grade 2)
definition
English
what a word means
Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 2), Topic development (Grade 4), Technical vocabulary (Grade 5)
definition clue
English
a clue that tells what the word means
Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 3), Contextual meaning (Grade 4), Contextual meaning (Grade 6)
demographic
English
a group defined by age, gender, location or interest
Learn it in: Target audiences (Grade 6)
denominator
Maths
The bottom number: equal parts in the whole.
Learn it in: Recognising unit fractions (Grade 2), Representing simple fractions (Grade 2), Unit fractions (Grade 3)
dependent clause
English
a clause that cannot stand alone
Learn it in: Subordinating conjunctions (Grade 4), Independent and dependent clauses (Grade 6)
descending
Maths
From greatest to smallest.
Learn it in: Ordering numbers (Grade 1), Ordering numbers (Grade 2), Ordering numbers (Grade 3)
describe
English
to tell what something is like
Learn it in: Describing familiar objects (Grade 1), Identifying characters (Grade 1), Writing about pictures (Grade 1)
describe
Maths
Say what something is like.
Learn it in: Identifying shapes in everyday life (Grade 1), Identifying shapes (Grade 2)
describe
Science
to say what something is like
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1), Functions of the senses (Grade 1)
description
English
words that tell what something is like
Learn it in: Writing short descriptions (Grade 1), Text structures (Grade 4), Setting and atmosphere (Grade 6)
detail
English
a small fact or piece of information
Learn it in: Identifying important details (Grade 1), Describing words (Grade 1), Writing complete sentences (Grade 1)
detail
Science
a small part that helps us show something clearly
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1)
dialogue
English
the words characters say
Learn it in: Reading with expression (Grade 2), Dialogue in stories (Grade 2), Dialogue (Grade 3)
dictionary
English
a book that lists words and their meanings
Learn it in: Dictionary introduction (Grade 2), Reading unfamiliar words (Grade 3), Reference materials (Grade 3)
difference
Maths
The answer to a subtraction.
Learn it in: Meaning of subtraction (Grade 1), Subtraction within 20 (Grade 1), Subtraction within 100 (Grade 2)
digit
Maths
One of the symbols 0 to 9. The number 12 uses two digits.
Learn it in: Reading and writing numbers (Grade 1), Tens and ones (Grade 1), Understanding ones (Grade 1)
digit value
Maths
Digit times the place.
Learn it in: Place value (Grade 4), Place-value review (Grade 6)
digital footprint
English
the trail of information you leave online
Learn it in: Responsible digital communication (Grade 6)
digital time
Maths
Time shown in numbers like 4:10.
Learn it in: Time to five-minute intervals (Grade 2)
digraph
English
two letters that make one sound
Learn it in: Consonant digraphs (Grade 1), Consonant blends (Grade 1), Reviewing consonant digraphs (Grade 2)
diphthong
English
a vowel sound that glides from one sound to another
Learn it in: Common diphthongs (Grade 2), Advanced phonics review (Grade 3)
discount
Maths
Amount taken off a price.
Learn it in: Simple percentage applications (Grade 5), Discounts (Grade 6)
discussion
English
a talk where people share ideas
Learn it in: Participating in discussions (Grade 2), Participating in discussions (Grade 3), Structured discussions (Grade 4)
disguised opinion
English
an opinion written as if it were a fact
Learn it in: Facts and opinions (Grade 6)
disinformation
English
false information spread on purpose to mislead
Learn it in: Misleading information (Grade 6)
distance
Maths
How far apart.
Learn it in: Parallel lines (Grade 4), Plotting points (Grade 5), Integers on number lines (Grade 6)
distributive
Maths
Split a factor into easier parts.
Learn it in: Multiplication properties (Grade 3), Multiplication properties (Grade 4)
divide
Maths
Share or group equally.
Learn it in: Division using objects (Grade 2), Division using pictures (Grade 2), Relationship between multiplication and division (Grade 2)
dividend
Maths
The number being divided.
Learn it in: Division with remainders (Grade 3), Division fact review (Grade 4), Division with remainders (Grade 4)
divisible
Maths
Can be divided with no remainder.
Learn it in: Understanding factors (Grade 4), Understanding multiples (Grade 4)
divisor
Maths
The number we divide by.
Learn it in: Division as sharing (Grade 3), Division facts (Grade 3), Division with remainders (Grade 3)
domain-specific
English
belonging to a particular subject area
Learn it in: Technical vocabulary (Grade 6)
double
Maths
Add the same number twice, like 4 + 4.
Learn it in: Addition within 20 (Grade 1), Mental addition strategies (Grade 2), Multiplication facts for 2, 5 and 10 (Grade 2)
double the consonant
English
write the last consonant twice before a suffix
Learn it in: Spelling and morphology (Grade 4)
draft
English
a first version of writing
Learn it in: Revising writing (Grade 2), Creative-writing projects (Grade 2), Revising narratives (Grade 3)
drop the e
English
remove a silent e before a vowel suffix
Learn it in: Spelling and morphology (Grade 4)
dry fruit
Science
a fruit that is hard or papery, such as a pod
Learn it in: Fruits and seeds (Grade 2)
duration
Maths
How long something takes.
Learn it in: Comparing durations (Grade 2), Elapsed time (Grade 3)