GRADE 3 DICTIONARIES PROJECT

Rotarians Paul Moran, Celia Clark, and Bill Hammond, from the Guelph South Rotary club visited Grade 3's at Aberfoyle Public School on December 11th. They handed out dictionaries along with a book mark for each child. They spent some time with the kids helping them find words and understanding how they work. It was great timing for the kids as they had begun using dictionaries in class.

Since then, the Club has received a package from the school that includes thank you cards that the children made, in appreciation of our visit and the dictionaries they received.

The photo shows Rotarian Celia Clark telling a story to the children of Mrs. Slater's Grade 3 class about how important a dictionary was to her when she was a student.

(Special thanks also to Rotarian Frank Oudesluys and Label Design Ltd for producing and donating the labels for all of the dictionaries donated by the 4 Guelph Rotary clubs to Grade 3 students in the area schools)

ABOUT DISTRICT 7080's GRADE 3 DICTIONARY PROJECT.. 

Learn to read, read to learn.

   The Grade 3 dictionary project is a Rotary District 7080 project. 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.
    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 to an individual.
   The success of The Grade 3 Dictionary Project is in your hands through the tireless efforts of Rotarians & Volunteers who have made a personal commitment to improving literacy and the quality of life in their community. Our volunteers are the breath of life of The Grade 3 Dictionary Project.

   This Project gives 100% of every dollar toward the purchase of dictionaries & materials.
Why Do this?

   A dictionary is perhaps the first and most powerful reference tool that a child should own. Its usefulness goes beyond the spellings, pronunciations, and definitions it lists; it is a companion for solving problems that arise as a child develops his or her reading, writing, and creative thinking abilities. Students benefit from an increased self-reliance and resourcefulness inspired by the maxim "look it up". Teachers benefit by knowing that their students have consistent access to a tool for homework and in-class explorations. We emphasize the importance of using a dictionary to make sure that all words are spelled correctly.
   The program is an opportunity for children to expand their vocabulary and for many to actually own a dictionary. A strong vocabulary is an essential tool for gaining knowledge. The limits of an individual's language are the limits of his world. A large vocabulary does not guarantee success but a small vocabulary limits the use that a person can make of his or her natural abilities. A small vocabulary decreases the effectiveness of inborn gifts in any civilization.