Dictionaries 4 Life Program
About Dictionaries 4 Life
The Dictionaries 4 Life is a literacy program that originated with Rotary in the UK. In D7040, it was first embraced by the Rotary Club of West Ottawa and more recently by more than a dozen other Rotary Clubs in District 7040.
During the autumn school semester, grade 3 students are presented with a beautifully illustrated dictionary. These dictionaries will not only help children develop their facility with the English language but also stimulate their interests in various subjects. The dictionaries are beautifully and generously illustrated.
By using dictionaries efficiently, children explore spellings, meanings and derivations. They also learn to use alphabetical order, abbreviations and definitions with understanding. One of the positive aspects of being able to use a dictionary is that it helps develop autonomy and confidence in the learner, a core goal of education. The promotion of books and the printed word is supported in a positive manner. It becomes a “possession” for the child that will enable both first and second language users to extend and improve the accuracy of their vocabulary. It should help children with their homework in secondary education. In some homes it may also form a reference work for all the family
The focus is on grade 3 classes and students who are learning English as a second language. It is also the intent to expand the program to assist the Tri-County Literacy Council (TCLC), which provides free educational upgrading for adult residents of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry counties in Ontario. Their mandate ranges from Basic Literacy Skills to occupational training courses for positions with a variety of local employers.
As fundraising becomes more challenging, individuals and businesses are invited to support this project financially. Their contributions will be recognized in print in the front of each dictionary. As funds become available, we look forward to expanding this program
