Word of the Day: Excitement
ex·cite·ment / ikˈsītmənt/ noun: a feeling of great enthusiasm and interest; the state of being excited “When a person starts to talk about their dreams, it’s as if something bubbles up from within. Their eyes brighten, their face glows, and you can feel the excitement in their words.” John C. Maxwell, 1947 – On Wednesday, September 9th, the morning was full of excitement at... Read More
Word of the Day: Change
Change /CHānj/ verb: to make or become different “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Victor Frankl, 1905 – 1997 noun: a transformation, the process of becoming different “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw, 1856 – 1950 Pictured: The Good Morning Rotary Club... Read More
Wards for War: Dictionary Project in Appalachian School
Article from: The Andover Townsman by: Garrin Marchetti, staff writer gmarchetti@eagletribune.com As a teacher for more than 40 years, Barbara McGovern always loved reading the dictionary to her students, teaching them new words they could use in and out of school. Twenty years after leaving the classroom for the final time, McGovern, of Andover, has decided to use her passion for words to help... Read More
The Woman Who Distributed 25 Million Dictionaries Still Looking To Give More
Mary French is a on a crusade to improve literacy around the world. Partnering with organizations like Rotary International for help, Mary French has collected and distributed 25 million dictionaries, mostly to third graders in every state in the U.S. and in other countries around the world. “The problem is that children do not have access to dictionaries with more than 32,000 words in... Read More
The Spirit of Aloha – Sponsor Spotlight: William Turner
A special thanks to William Turner for taking the time to answer this questionnaire and share a little bit about his life and the Rotary Club of Downtown Honolulu’s project. 1. Where are you from? Where do you live now and how did you get here? I was born in LaGrange, Illinois but grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Kindergarten – Grade 12). I currently... Read More
Collaboration: City of Grants Fire and Rescue
We would like to recognize the City of Grants Fire and Rescue for encouraging a sustained commitment to civic participation through collaboration. Over the past seven years of working with The Dictionary Project, the City of Grants Fire Department has encouraged over twenty local businesses to come together and contribute to literacy in Grants, New Mexico. This could not have been done without the... Read More
First Year to Volunteer: 16 New Elks Projects
The Dictionary Project is always excited to see new organizations join our efforts to provide dictionaries to third graders. This past 2014-2015 school year, 15 Lodges picked up the project and donated over 4,300 dictionaries. Bismarck-Mandan Elks Lodge #1199, ND Chandler Elks Lodge # 2429, AZ Charlevoix Elks Lodge #2856, MI Dayton Elks Lodge #58, OH Destin Elks Lodge #21688, FL Flint Elks Lodge... Read More
Thank-You Letter of the Week: Huntington Beach Elks Lodge #1959
Thank you for the wonderful dictionary. I like it because I use it to look up words from my reading vocabulary worksheet. I think the biggest word in English is cool. Thank you so much, it really comes in handy. I even used it in this letter. Sincerely, Gracie, third grade student at Smith School, CA pictured: thank-you letters the Elks have received over... Read More
North Little Rock Women’s Club: Bringing Encouragement and Compassion to Third Grade Students
Since 2007, members of the North Little Rock Women’s Club have partnered with The Dictionary Project to provide dictionaries and thesauri to students in North Little Rock School District. Over the years, these ladies have donated over 8,900 books to local third graders. Here is one of many letters of appreciation received by the club: Thank you very much for giving us these student... Read More
Presentation Idea of the Week: Guest Speakers
Since 2007, third grade students in Greece and Hilton schools have received the much appreciated dictionary from the Rotary Clubs of Greece and Hilton, NY. To make their presentation special, members have brought along different guest speakers, including a magician, the police chief, school superintendent, and various other dignitaries. The schools hold a special assembly just for the presentation and dictionary distribution. Presenters emphasize... Read More