Like in years past, members of the Brazosport Rotary Club donated a dictionary to every third-grade student in the Brazosport Independent School District (BISD). This donation is but one of the local club’s commitments to teachers and students in southern Brazoria County.
Students at Bess Brannon Elementary School look over their new dictionaries. Every third grader in BISD received a dictionary courtesy of the Brazosport Rotary Club
While a nice gesture, some ask about the relevance of a printed resource like this in the age of the Internet and artificial intelligence. Printed books, periodicals and reference materials may seem like relics that belong in a museum, but there are plenty of good reasons to use traditionally printed books like these. “The members of the Brazosport Rotary Club believe that providing traditional dictionaries to third graders, creates a richer educational experience that balances modern technology with essential learning tools,” said club president Harold Nicoll. “Printed works foster a solid foundation for students' literacy journeys and educational experiences.”
Here are a few reasons traditional dictionaries remain good resources.
1. Fundamental Language Skills: Traditional dictionaries can help reinforce foundational language skills such as spelling, phonics, and vocabulary. Students learn to recognize words, understand their meanings, and grasp language nuances, which is essential at this developmental stage.
2. Reduced Distractions: Digital devices often come with numerous distractions. A physical dictionary provides a focused learning tool that encourages students to engage with the material without the temptation of games or social media.
3. Critical Thinking and Research Skills: Using a traditional dictionary necessitates navigating through it, which develops critical thinking and research skills. Students learn how to look up words, understand alphabetical ordering, and engage with text physically.
4. Printing and Reference Skills: Knowing how to use a physical dictionary is a practical skill. Students will benefit from learning how to reference definitions, synonyms, and antonyms in a traditional format, even if they later move on to digital resources.
5. Enhances Literacy: The tactile experience of flipping through pages and seeing words in print can enhance memory and recognition, reinforcing literacy skills. The physical act of looking up words can be more impactful than searching digitally.
6. Cultural Literacy: Dictionaries often come with additional information like word origins and usage examples. This can cultivate a broader understanding of language and encourage interest in literature and storytelling.
7. Accessibility: Not all students have consistent access to digital devices or reliable internet connectivity outside of school. Providing dictionaries ensures that every child has the same resources available, regardless of their circumstances at home.
8. Encouragement of Book Ownership: Giving each student a physical dictionary fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their learning materials, encouraging a love for reading and research.
9. Complementary Learning Tool: While digital resources are valuable, they should complement, not replace, traditional learning methods. Having both types of resources allows for a more comprehensive understanding of language.
10. Engagement with the Learning Experience: The act of using a physical dictionary can make learning more engaging and interactive. Students may enjoy the process of discovery as they search for new words.
About the Brazosport Rotary Club
The Brazosport Rotary Club was founded in Freeport, Texas in 1953. Members come from all walks of life but share the club’s ‘service above self’ values and motto. Its annual Shrimp Boil fund raising event is part of the culture of southern Brazoria County. The Brazosport Rotary Club has donated $1.2 million in its first seven decades to charitable organizations here in Southeast Texas. To learn more, please visit Brazosport Rotary Club.