Dictionaries help preserve the wealth of a language

Dictionaries have multiple functions and purposes. Mainly they are an aid to learning about definitions of words, spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and contextual use of words in a written and spoken language.

Every third grader in Harrison County has once again received a special gift from the Harrison County Community Foundation. Over 500 students were given their very own Webster’s Dictionary for Students Special Encyclopedic Edition last week. A copy was also presented to classroom teachers and the school library. All Harrison County elementary schools are eligible to participate.

The Dictionary Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the goal to assist 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 is targeted to 3rd graders because this is the age where children transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”.

With funding from various organizations throughout the state, The Dictionary Project provided over 45,000 dictionaries to students in the State of Indiana during the 2010-2011 school year. For more information about The Dictionary Project visit www.dictionaryproject.org or contact the Harrison County Community Foundation at 812-738-6668.