The impact of The Dictionary Project continues far beyond the moment a dictionary is placed into a student’s hands. Recently, we received this heartfelt thank-you letter from Barbara Hutchinson, Western Elementary 4th Grade Teacher, whose students benefited from the program, and it perfectly captures why literacy resources remain so important in today’s classrooms.

Barbara wrote: “Thank you again for this incredible donation. It is our goal to get kids back into resource books rather than onto screens, and we know how crucial it is for them to learn the skills necessary to seek out answers to questions, locate evidence, and problem solve. We cannot thank The Dictionary Project enough!!

That said, I am already thinking about the 3rd graders this year and how our grade level can continue on with this amazing resource. If you could share next steps for me to follow for next year’s 4th graders so that they may be able to experience what this year’s students have, I would be forever grateful.” Messages like this remind us that dictionaries are more than just books — they are tools that help students build independence, critical thinking skills, and confidence in learning. In a world increasingly driven by screens, teachers continue to see the value of hands-on resources that encourage students to explore, research, and problem solve on their own.

We are grateful to partner with educators who are passionate about literacy and committed to giving students meaningful learning experiences for years to come.