The Dictionary Project

During the month of October, every third grader in the Gull Lake area was given his/her own dictionary as part of the Gull Lake Area Rotary Club’s Dictionary Project. Over 250 dictionaries were given by Rotarians to students at Ryan Intermediate School, Vineyard Academy, and home schooled students at the Home School Partnership at Bedford School.

Third grade is the ideal time for children to use a dictionary as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. In the third grade most students still rely on print media for most of their research information.

The dictionaries feature 37,000 words, a list of frequently misspelled words, maps information about our country and states, tables of weights and measures, and other helpful information.

The students were excited to receive their own dictionaries. The dictionary has a nameplate in the front for each student to write his/her name – identifying the book as his/her personal property. For all the Rotarians who participated in handing out books, just seeing students’ eyes light up and hearing “thank you” made their efforts worthwhile.

The annual distribution is made to promote our Rotary Club’s literacy goal. So far, Gull Lake Rotarians have given 1500 dictionaries to Gull Lake third graders. Some of the club’s other education related projects include scholarships for graduating seniors, Student Volunteer Service Awards, Outstanding Educator Awards, and donating children’s books to the Richland Community Library.

Dick Gross initiated the project seven years ago.