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We
aim to do more than just deliver dictionaries. During the course of
each school visit, we try to involve the children in activities that
prepare them to get the most out of their dictionaries.
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We
start with a "pep talk" designed to explain the value
of a dictionary and how to use it.
We ask each student to write his or her name and phone number inside
each dictionary to facilitate a feeling of ownership. We also discuss
the habit of putting a dot next to each looked up word to track
usage.
We play a few word games to get students participating in dictionary
usage.
Although we are not looking for thanks, we ask that each student
write a thank-you note – even if it’s just two words and
a signature. The goal is to instill the notion of a proper response
for a gift received. (Plus we love to post the sweet, and often
insightful, comments on our website. We find the kids keep our own
enthusiasm for dictionaries at a high peak.) |
The best visits
involve resources beyond our own. Typically, we try to partner with
literacy-oriented organizations, so that our dictionary distribution
efforts are backed with on-going reading, tutoring and literacy programs.
If you are involved with a literacy organization and would like to work
with us, please contact us at info@californiadictionaryproject.org.
For more information about partnering with us, please visit Our Partners page.
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