- Elwood Elementary School PTO, IL - Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, IN - Rotary Club of Bowmanville, ZZ - Hicksville Elks Lodge # 1931, NY - Somonauk Education Foundation, IL - Rotary Club of Hamilton County, IL - Rotary Club of Burnsville, NC - Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, IN - Rotary Club of Hardinsburg, KY - Kiwanis Club of The Gate City, NC - Dictionary Project / SC, SC - American Legion No. 543, PA - Atlanta Northlake Elks Lodge # 78, GA - Rotary Club of Del Rio & Kappa Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, TX - Dictionary Project / NH & Henry Wilson Grange 205, NH - Syndactics, Inc. & Dr. Lyn Weiner, AZ - Rotary Club of Imperial, NE - Dictionary Project / SC, SC - Verizon TelecomPioneers / Richmond Cl, VA - Kiwanis Club of Roseville-Warren, MI
Over
9,585,527
children have received a dictionary thanks to the generosity of sponsors who have participated in the Dictionary Project. Sponsors provide a dictionary for the children in their community each year, so they can enjoy the benefits of a large vocabulary.
2,330,715
dictionaries were given to students in 2008 as a gift from people who live in their town.
The Dictionary Project is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. The goal of this program is to assist all students in completing the school year as good writers, active readers and creative thinkers by providing students with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come. The Dictionary Project gives 95 cents of every dollar donated toward the purchase of dictionaries.
Reading is the most important skill of all. It is the starting point for all the economic and social opportunities this world has to offer. Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn. Every year we watch The Dictionary Project grow by expanding our pool of sponsors, so more children can enjoy the benefits of owning their own personal dictionary.
Our sponsors have made tireless efforts to improve literacy and the quality of life in their communities. These volunteers are the breath of life of The Dictionary Project. Through The Dictionary Project, people feel empowered to effect change and improve education so that the children will grow up better prepared to compete in the global economy.
The Dictionary Project wishes you a Happy New Year !
Barrow County Dictionary Lady
Barrow County, Georgia, has its own Dictionary Lady, and her name is Shelia Hawthorne. Shelia and the Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma have brought a variety of local civic groups together to give dictionaries to students in Winder and Barrow County for the past seven years. Together they have ensured that each third grade student in Barrow County receives a dictionary. The first students to benefit from their community’s generous gift are now in high school and are apparently still benefitting from the gift and from the example of those who gave it, as two high school groups are among the sponsors. One week each fall is designated as Dictionary Week in the city of Winder and in Barrow County—Mayor Buddy Ouzts and County Commission Chairman Doug Garrison having signed a proclamation to that effect. During Dictionary Week, sponsors from each of the groups visit the schools to present dictionaries to the third grade classes. It is a big project to coordinate, but well worth the effort. Shelia Hawthorne states, “I am so proud of our community for their support of this stellar project for seven years. It is an honor for me to be called ‘The Dictionary Lady’ in Barrow County. The excitement and joy reflected in the children as they are presented their books far outweigh the efforts of getting the books to them.”
Sponsors for the 2008-2009 Barrow County Dictionary Project include: the Auburn/Carl Lions Club, the Winder Kiwanis Club, the Winder Barrow Coalition for Adult and Continuing Education, the Barrow Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, the Winder Optimist Club, the Pilot Club of Winder, the Winder Noon Lions Club, the Winder Barrow High School Student Council, the Barrow County Farm Bureau Woman’s Committee, the Rotary Club of Winder, the Winder Lions Club, the Beta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, Apalachee High School Future Educators Club, and the Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.
4,170,598 ..
What does this number represent?
A big number—what does it mean? This is the approximate number of third-grade students in the United States of America. And this is our goal for the 2008-2009 school year: That each one of these children will receive a dictionary from a local sponsor. It is an audacious goal. In the 2007-2008 school year, just over 2.3 million dictionaries were distributed. Reaching our goal will require the work of all of our dedicated sponsors and volunteers. Here are some things that you can do to help us make it:
Consider expanding your organization’s project to include an additional school or an additional school district. If there is a neighboring town where no one has started a project, include those children in your distributions.
Encourage friends, family and colleagues to start or contribute to projects where they live.
Write letters to the editors of newspapers in towns and cities where no project has yet been started. The Dictionary Project was founded as a response to a letter to the editor that Mary French read in 1995.
If you have participated in giving out dictionaries to children, you are the best ambassador this program has. The word we most often hear from our sponsors describing their participation is “rewarding.” Most people are surprised and gratified that the time they took to visit the schools to present the dictionaries to the children was worth every minute, and they can’t wait to return next year or to include another school in their project. One man called to tell us how happy he felt after visiting a school. He had been appointed the Dictionary Project chairman for his club, and he thought that the children would respond to the dictionaries with the same excitement that they would have if they received a new pair of socks: They know they need socks and they appreciate the thought, but they don’t get excited. He was shocked that the children applauded him for bringing the dictionaries. He couldn’t leave the room because each student wanted to show him a new word in the dictionary. They even asked him to autograph their books!
Who do you know who would enjoy seeing children excited about learning? Who have you heard lament the state of education today and wish there were something they could do about it? Please tell them about the project. When you do, by all means use our “official” reasons for giving out dictionaries (see the “Why We Do What We Do” section of this newsletter for ideas). But more importantly, tell your own story. Every project is unique, and you can talk most passionately about your own experience. Share the funny and touching thank-you letters you have received. Recall how many children have told you, “This is the first book I have ever owned.” Show photos of beaming children voraciously exploring their new dictionaries.
We have faith that there are enough adults in this country who are committed to helping children become strong readers that we can reach every third grader this year and every year. Please join us in believing and in making that belief a reality.
We also need “super-sponsors” to coordinate and oversee the project in each state. If you are willing to devote more time and energy to the cause of literacy than your individual project requires, please consider joining friends like Larry Hutchinson of Iowa, Wally Brown of Utah, Bob Pityo of New Jersey, Gloria King of Hawaii, George and Mary McIlvaine of Wyoming, and David Boynton of New Hampshire as a state coordinator for the project.
If you would like
to start a Dictionary ProjectClick
Here
To find a list of Dictionary
Projects in your state, choose from the list below:
The Dictionary Project received the Community Quarterback Award from the Carolina Panthers and a $2,000 donation from the Carolina Panthers to the Dictionary Project. We want to thank Chris Hope of the Kansas City Dictionary Project and Jack Vealey who helped to organize the Dictionary Project throughout Rotary District 6960 for nominating us for the award. We are truly grateful for the participation of so many people who constantly think of new ways to do more to improve literacy where they live.
International Book Bank has helped us with recent international projects. Check their website for more information on the organization.
