Sun Lakes Rotary gives dictionaries to 3rd graders - San Tan Sun News - Dictionary

Sun Lakes Rotary gives dictionaries to 3rd graders

Neighbors

By Dr. Honora Norton
Guest Writer

It is time for Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Dictionary Project.

Despite the internet, dictionary use is still a needed skill.  Dictionaries are important in the digital age because they help children understand the meanings of words, learn the English language and spell words correctly, follow instructions and carry on conversations.

The more words a child knows, the better the child will be able to understand and connect with other people.

Since 2003, each school year, RCSL promotes literacy and forges connections with young people through the Club’s Dictionary Project.

The Dictionary Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995, has the goal to assist all students to become good writers, active readers and creative thinkers by providing students a gift of their own personal dictionary.

The dictionary is filled with more than just terms and definitions. It often represents the first personal book these children are given and contains mini encyclopedia filled with maps; sections on world geography, civics, math conversion tables, science, the water cycle, planets, the constitution, bill of rights, presidents, largest word and even has illustrations for sign language and braille.

Annually, RCSL provides the purchasing, preparation and delivery of “A Student’s Dictionary” with book mark to 3,000+ all the third-grade students in Chandler Unified School District, approved private schools, Native American communities and Title 9 Schools.

To date the RCSL has distributed over 54,000 dictionaries. As part of the preparation, over twenty RCSL, members of the Chandler Horizon’s Club, friends and families recently held a sticker party and readied 3,078 dictionaries for delivery to CUSD schools.    

Teachers were grateful.

“Please know that you have touched the lives of our students in a very meaningful way,” said one while another noted, “The gift of knowledge is the most precious gift of all.”

The happiness and wonder on the kids’ faces is the gift we Rotarians receive.

To quote some students from their thank you notes: “The longest word is really cool.”  “That was nice of you to spend your money on the dictionaries for us!”  “I will always think of the Rotary Club giving all third graders such a useful gift.”  “You’re the best people ever.  Keep doing what you do best.”

For more information: sunlakesrotary.com

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