This page is definitely a work in progress! If there is something in particular you would find helpful, let me know! If you have an experience or something you think might help others, let me know! Let’s get the word and words out all across Maine!
Like This Logo?
Like this logo? It can be customized to your Grange’s program. FREE! Just contact the Communications Director and we’ll get right on it! You’ll get a JPG or PNG file to add to your documents, website, or social media page.
Words for Thirds Logos and Photos Page
Some helpful documents
About the program itself
- A letter from The Dictionary Project Director Mary French explaining the importance and benefits of a printed dictionary. A printed dictionary is better than “Google!” Use this with teachers and school administration to “sell” the program.
- While not specifically about dictionaries, the Learning Mind Blog offers some fascinating science about the difference between ebooks and printed. At least one study “found that 92% of those surveyed concentrated better when reading the printed word over an e-version. A printed book, therefore, encourages us to read more carefully and helps our brain to hold focus on the task in hand.”
- Startup Guide to a Words for Thirds Project includes things to consider and a timeline identifying the steps or tasks involved. COMING SOON
- Fundraising Ideas are available on the Dictionary Project Website. If you promote your program effectively, fundraising becomes a lot easier!
TEMPLATES AND FORMS
Depending on the number of dictionaries you are distributing, you may decide to have the labels printed for you.
- Label Template for 30 to a page (approximately 1 x 2 5/8) MS Word Document
- Label Template for 10 to a page (approximately 2 x 4) MS Word Document
- Downloadable logos and photos you may find useful.
For use with the Media
- A Sample Media Advisory you can use to create awareness and invite television and newspaper reporters to your Dictionary Day.
- A Sample Press Release you can use to get some positive press for your Words for Thirds Program!
Related to Teachers and schools
- A Sample Parent Letter the kids can take home. A brief description and promotion of your Grange and upcoming events. (You may be able to get the schools to take care of the printing and distribution.)
- Outline of a Basic Presentation offers the steps to a very basic presentation.
- Working with Our Schools offers some thoughts and strategies for partnering with school administration and teachers. COMING SOON
- Sample Emails sent to School Administrators and Teachers. COMING SOON There are some samples available from the Dictionary Project.
- Dictionary Races offers ideas for how to use them for fun and learning. COMING SOON
- Valley Grange Talks with Kids includes an outline of a presentation that involves the Grange Staves or Staffs (sometimes the kids call them “sticks”) and some thoughts about talking with kids and managing everyone’s expectations.
- Dictionaries, Degrees, and Devices is an article written by Walter for the National Grange Good Day! Magazine. The kids are pretty good at understanding the meaning of the staves–are we?
- The 2024-25 Maine State Grange Communications Handbook includes general information about gaining media attention and a special section on “communicating with kids.”
Some links of interest
- The Dictionary Project Home Page includes lots of information and is where you order the dictionaries.
- Valley Grange’s Page and general information about their project.
- Valley Grange’s Teacher Page provides information for teachers. Your program may, of course, be different, but communication with teachers is key to gaining support and enthusiasm for the program.
Participating Granges
Click here for the current list of participating Granges