My students need 21 easy-to-use dictionaries to look up the meanings of unknown words.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Dykstra's classroom raised $442
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
What do you do when you keep seeing an unfamiliar word in a novel that you're reading? Look it up of course. Dictionary literacy is a critical life-long learning skill that my students have yet to master.
I have 21 third-graders.
Our school is in a poor, urban neighborhood in California. The school is a K-8 public charter school. My students are eager to learn and love applying skills to real-world situations. 20 of my 21 students are of Hispanic descent. 15 of 21 are second-language learners.
My Project
The Jolly Dictionary is an easy-to-use basic dictionary intended for elementary school students. Understanding the structural features of a dictionary is a California Content Standard for 3rd-graders. I see no better way to develop mastery in this content area then to provide each student with a small personal dictionary in their desk. Equipped with a dictionary in their desk, my students will be able to look up unfamiliar words throughout their school day.
As much as our society is moving toward online dictionaries and electronic spell-checkers, I can't imagine that dictionary skills will ever become obsolete.
The younger we introduce students to dictionaries the better off they will be as they progress through their educational lives. My intention is to develop my students into life-long learners. Language acquisition and vocabulary development is essential throughout life.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Dykstra and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
