From Idea to Concept, Sharpening Our Classroom Writing
Concept English Writing Competition 2015/2016
Prompts:
3rd Grade Personal Narrative: Students will describe their local community and how it helps them.
Opinion/Personal Speech: Students will write a speech on a personal opinion of a school rule.
(These are embedded in the 3rd grade Interdisciplinary Units) For more information contact Don Shanahan at shanahan@conceptschools.org
4th Grade Journeys – Informative Essay, students write a news report about a school-wide event or activity that happened in their building. Pages T52-55
Journeys – Persuasive Letter, students write a persuasive letter to convince financial backers in the community to donate to a possible project or need in their classroom. Pages T206-209
For more information reach out to Don Shanahan at shanahan@conceptschools.org
5th Grade Journeys – Fictional Narrative, students write a fictional narrative about a main character that overcomes a challenge that would change their life. Pages T284-287, T358-361
Journeys – Informative Essay, students write a cause/effect essay about something humans do to contribute to the habitat destruction of animals. Pages T208-211
For more information reach out to Don Shanahan at shanahan@conceptschools.org
6th Grade Collection # 1 – Expository Essay, students chose a fear and write about it. Page 67
Collection # 2 – Expository Essay, students write about how animals exhibit intelligence. Page 133
7th Grade Collection #1 – Oral Commentary (submit written work), students write and present their opinion about the rewards and risks associated with bold actions. Page 57
Collection #2 – Opinion or Expository Essay, students write about how a single action can create a dramatic change. Page 131
8th Grade Collection #1 – Personal Narrative, students write a narrative based on their own experience adjusting or fitting into new situations. Page 83
Collection #2 – Literary Analysis, students select a story or stories in the horror genre and write an analysis. Page 137
9th Grade Collection #1 – Speech (submit written speech), students write and present a speech about how the anchor text discusses how individuals struggle to unit for a cause. Page 37
Collection #2 – Argument, students make a claim about whether or not freedom is given or must be demanded. Page 97
10th Grade Collection #1 – Speech (submit written speech), students write and present a speech about how our relationships with others define who we are. Page 41
Collection #2 – Research Report, students write a report that develops their findings about our relationship with nature.
11th Grade Collection #1 – Argument, students write an essay with a claim and evidence that support their beliefs about how immigration changed America, and how America changes those who come here. Page 103
Collection #2 – Informative Essay, students write an essay detailing information from their anchor texts and how it relates to balancing individual and group rights. Page 169
12th Grade Collection #1 – (NOTE: Seniors are doing research paper) For submission to competition choose Compare/Contrast Essay, students compare/contrast the sacrifices made by individuals in their anchor texts. Page 71
Collection #2 – (Note: Group Discussion is the assessed task in this unit) For submission to competition choose Informative Essay rubric Page 144), students write an informative essay explaining how gender roles have evolved over time based on the result of their group discussions.
Rules and Guidelines:
Select the top 2 pieces from each of your classes from the options listed above. If you have strong writers you may submit for each.
Submit student work as follows:
Submit email that must include: A list of students you are attaching as well as their grade level. Student writing must have student name, school name, grade level, and from which text the Prompt came on every page of submission and file. Type size must be minimum 18 maximum 22 font. If these submission requirements are not met, work will not be read.
For example: John Andrews, HSA Toledo, 9th grade, Collection #1
Entries can be submitted to aflaherty@conceptschools.org from September to January 29th as you finish your classroom work.
Contest is open to any student (grade 3 or higher) who is a part of Concept Schools.
Entries will not be returned, so please keep a copy for your records.
All decisions about winners are subject to the judgment of the Concept judging panel. Scoring will be done with the same rubrics used by teachers throughout the network for their classroom instructions.
Awards:
1st, 2nd, and 3 place prizes will be given in 3 categories – high school, middle school, and elementary; $100, $75, and $50 respectively. And wherever applicable a $25 for honorable mention.
Winners will be announced in March.
NOTE: Your work must be original and without obscenities, gratuitous violence, or other questionable material.