Dictionaries 4 Life Program

 

 

The Dictionaries 4 Life is a literacy program that had its origin with Rotary in the UK. It was first embraced by the Rotary Club of West Ottawa in District 7040 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 an beautifully illustrated dictionary. These dictionaries will not only help children develop their facility with the English language, but stimulate their interests in various subjects, not in the least by the fact that the dictionaries are beautifully and generously illustrated.

 

By using dictionaries efficiently children explore spellings, meanings and derivations for example by using alphabetical order, abbreviations and definitions with understanding. One of the most positive aspects of being able to use a dictionary is that it helps to develop autonomy and confidence in the learner — one of the core goals of education. It promotes books and the printed word. It will be a “possession” for the child. It 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.

 

While the focus in 2016-17 is on the grade 3 classes at Bridgewood Public School, 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 of Ontario. Their mandate ranges from Literacy Basic Skills to occupational training courses for positions with a variety of local employers.

 

As fundraising continues to become 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