Dictionary Day Helps Local Third Graders

DICTIONARY DAY — Students from McKinley Elementary School compete in a dictionary challenge game at the Long Beach Main Library. The students are among thousands receiving free dictionaries this year, courtesy of the Library Foundation and the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation.

All Long Beach third graders are receiving new dictionaries this year, courtesy of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation. Students and dignitaries recently celebrated the book giveaway at the 5th Annual Dictionary Day at the city’s Main Library.

"It is so great to see the excitement on the children's faces when they get their dictionaries and to watch them as they look up new words," said Sara Pillet, Library Foundation Executive Director. "We are very proud of this program. With the help of the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation which funds Dictionary Day, we have placed more than 45,000 dictionaries in the hands of Long Beach youngsters over the past five years."

Dictionary Day puts Webster Student Dictionaries in the hands of students to help them with spelling, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Along with the dictionaries, special instructional material is given to their teachers to train the children in dictionary usage.

During this year's Dictionary Day ceremony, McKinley Elementary School students competed in a dictionary challenge game to demonstrate the new skills they learned.