Literacy for Life Project (Rotary Supported)

The initial Rotary Dictionary Project is proving hugely successful throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Started in 2008 as a joint venture between the Bill and Lorna Boyd Charitable Trust and the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, it has spread nationwide with many Clubs participating. The student’s excitement of receiving this gift from Rotary and writing their name in their own copy of the dictionary, is something to behold during the presentations at the school. An added literacy benefit is that the whole family gains when the dictionaries are taken home.

 

The dictionary selected for this project is the Usborne Illustrated English Dictionary. It has a focussed reading age of approximately 9 years, has English spelling (not American) and contains over 1,000 full colour illustrations. It’s much more than a dictionary being a colourful reference book for everyday use by the student. It is updated almost annually with additions and amendments in line with the growth of the English language. This literacy project is intended as an annual ongoing project for Clubs, at a low cost of participation and by presenting them to each year’s intake of year 4 students, the Clubs maintain contact with local schools.

 

The Trust has distributed over 250,000 Usborne Illustrated Dictionaries, through numerous Rotary Clubs throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, for personal presentation to year 4 children, mainly in what previously was decile 4 or below primary schools. This offer has now been extended to all primary schools. Orders are placed with the Trust after a Club has ascertained the presentation numbers with the school. An invoice is then dispatched to the Club by the Trust Administrators and on receipt of payment, the Trust will authorise the release of the books from its warehouse in Auckland or Christchurch. Available for the Clubs are student presentation guides to help the process if required.  The collection and transportation of the order is organised, plus any cost, is borne by the ordering Club. 

 

Another option recently added to the literacy offer and focussing on Year 1 students, is the Rhyming Through the Alphabet pack. This relatively new Dame Wendy Pye designed opportunity, to help beginner learners, fits the new educational focus on the basics, as indicated by some learning curriculum upgrades. This booklet with alphabetical flash cards, provide each student with the ability to learn letter sounds in a fun but structured way. Like the dictionary, the pack is gifted to the student for their own use in class and at home.

 

For more information and online ordering go to  http://www.boydtrust.org

 

 

Operations Manager:                                                 Chairman

Graham Kearns                                                           David Wardell

Phone: 021 995 811                                                    Phone: 021 485 727

Email: support@boydtrust.org                                 Email: davidwardell@xtra.co.nz