The goal of the program, which started in Savannah, Ga. in 1992, is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come. Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn. Nationwide, 18,255,644 children have received a dictionary to date; 2,397,306 dictionaries were given to students in 2012.
The dictionaries were distributed after the Rotarians participated in "Read Across America" day at the school by reading Dr. Seuss's "The Lorax" to the third graders. The students listened intently to this story of environmental awareness. Although written for children, the message of what can happen if we don't take care of the environment resonated for the adult readers as well. Many of the children were well aware of the story and had clear opinions on protecting trees and habitats.
One of the CPS students' favorite discoveries in their dictionaries was on the last page of the book -- the longest word in the English language. There were giggles all around as Rotarian Megan Jones-Holt challenged the children to try to pronounce it. Rotarians challenge readers to "look it up!"
The Clinton Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Clinton Fire House, 1 New Street, across from the Clinton post office. For more information about the club or membership visit clintonsunriserotary.org.