new phone lg dare screen lock question?

[Krystal S]

i just got the lg dare and was wondering if there are any tips and tricks i should know and i was wondering when your making a call how do you unlock the screen so you can use the dial pad i have tried the lock button on the side and that doesnt work its a great phone and all but the fact that everytime i need to use the dial pad when in a call i have to put it on speaker is making me wanna take it back please say there i a way to fix this ? thx