Some of the best teaching sources come from everyday items, among them the telephone book. Students often need practice with answering questions and locating information. Rather than requiring them to complete worksheets, have your students use the phone book to locate specific information. I wrote the following questions on separate index cards, bound them together with a metal ring, and placed them next to a stack of old phone books I obtained from a local business (companies replace their phone books yearly and generally throw them away). Either individually or working in teams as a competition, the students answer the questions.

The Cards:

1. Your mother needs some special medicine and it is 2:00 AM. Where could you go to get it?
2. You'd like to buy a motorcycle. What shop will you go to first? Why? What makes of motorcycles do they sell?
3. Your family wants to go out for dinner. Choose a restaurant. Write its name, location, and serving hours.
4. Where could you buy a bicycle built for two? Locate two places.
5. You'd like to have some food delivered to your home for dinner. Where would you call and what will you have for dinner?
6. You've sprained your ankle and must use crutches for several days. Where would you call to rent crutches? List two places, their locations, and their phone numbers.
7. Where could you buy a heavy-duty equipment inner tube to take on vacation with you at the lake?
8. What is the phone number of the library? You are trying to locate a book to help you complete a report for school. Just in case you need to call one of the branch libraries, what are their numbers also?
9. Where can you apply for a job delivering newspapers? What number would you call? What is the name of the business? What is their address?
10. You went to the beach with your family. The keys were accidentally locked in the trunk of your car. You have only one set of keys. How do you get help? What kind of help?
11. Your dog needs to be groomed and clipped. Where can you take it? What is the telephone number of the business? What is the address? Should you make an appointment?
12. Where can you take karate lessons? Which location is closest to your home? What is the name of the place? What is the phone number? What is the address?
13. Is there some place to call to find out the weather report? What is the number? Is there an address given? Does the place have a specific name?
14. Where can you find if a number you wish to call is long distance number? What towns listed in the phone book are long distance if calling from your home? List all of them.
15. What is an area code? Where can you find an area code if you need one? For what is an area code used? What are the different area codes used in the United States? List all of them. What is your area code?