Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about sponsoring projects, selecting dictionaries, placing orders, shipping, and working with schools and students.

Getting Started

How does the Dictionary Project work?

A local individual, organization, school, business, or community group sponsors dictionaries for students in their area. Dictionaries are selected, shipped, and distributed to students during classroom or community presentation events.

Many sponsors personally hand the dictionaries to students, making the experience even more meaningful.

How do I sponsor a Dictionary Project?

Sponsors may:

Work directly with local schools
Sponsor classrooms or grade levels
Organize community literacy projects
Partner with civic organizations
Support underserved communities

Projects typically begin by contacting schools, selecting dictionaries, and placing an order through the project website.

Why are dictionaries usually given to third-grade students?

Third grade is an important milestone in education. It is often the year students transition from “learning to read” toward “reading to learn.”

Dictionary skills are commonly introduced during this stage, making it an ideal time for students to receive their own personal dictionary.

Ordering & Shipping

How do I order dictionaries?

Orders may be placed online, by phone, or through printable order forms.

Sponsors make a donation to support the dictionaries and volunteer to distribute them to students through schools or educational programs.

Are shipping costs included?

Yes. Sponsor costs include shipping within the continental United States.

Additional shipping arrangements may be required for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, or international destinations.

Do you ship internationally?

The Dictionary Project currently ships within the United States only.

Sponsors who wish to support projects outside the U.S. are responsible for arranging and covering international shipping costs.

Choosing Dictionaries

Can schools help select the dictionaries?

Yes. Many sponsors work directly with teachers and administrators to determine which dictionaries best fit their students and educational goals.

Sample kits are available to help schools compare editions before selecting books.

What kinds of dictionaries are available?

We offer:

Student dictionaries
Gazetteers
Bilingual dictionaries
Translation dictionaries
Specialty dictionaries
Learner dictionaries
Thesauruses
Advanced reference materials

Educational Impact

Why physical dictionaries instead of apps or computers?

Physical dictionaries provide students with a sense of ownership and encourage exploration and independent learning.

Students often discover new words, improve vocabulary, and strengthen problem-solving skills while using dictionaries in ways that differ from digital search tools.

For many children, the dictionary they receive may become one of the first books they truly own.

What impact does the Dictionary Project have?

Teachers, sponsors, parents, and students consistently report positive experiences with the project.

Sponsors often describe dictionary presentations as memorable experiences that encourage reading, learning, and confidence. Many students continue using their dictionaries for years after receiving them.

Still Have Questions?

We are happy to help answer questions about sponsoring projects, selecting products, ordering dictionaries, or planning literacy events.