The Question: What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American? Trace the enduring importance of this value throughout the American story by discussing: a Founding document that reflects this value; a figure from American history who embodies this value; and ways you can personally put this value into practice.
The Prizes: 180 prizes will be awarded totaling nearly $200,000. Top prize winners will win $5,000 cash and a trip to Washington, D.C. for an Awards Gala and Weekend! The two schools with the greatest percentage of eligible students participating will receive a full set of Bill of Rights Institute curriculum. This prize will be based upon the number of eligible student participants per school as noted during the essay submission process. The retail value of this prize will not exceed $450.
Submitting an Essay: Our teacher-only submission of high school student essays began on September 2, and ends December 1, 2008. For detailed rules, click here. Essays are limited to 750 words and a sponsoring teacher is required to submit the student’s essay for him or her.
Eligibility: The Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students (1) in Grades 9-12 attending public, private, religious, and charter schools but who are no older than 19 as of the end of the Contest Period (December 1, 2008), (2) enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program but who are no older than 19 as of the end of the Contest Period, or (3) attending a home school program who are no younger than 12 as of the beginning of the contest period and no older than 19 as of the end of the Contest Period.
I give a participative scholarship workshop at the local library and encourage our students (young and adult) to write outside of course assignments which allows them to build what we refer to as their "Me Folio". I encourage them to build a collection documenting every positive accomplishment from the best reader in 3rd grade, years selected to honor rolls, student council positions to community services. The workshop requires students to use the computers to create, share, and modify Google Docs, share knowledge on scholarship search engines, and explore opportunities from corporations, local agencies, and personal networking.
Keeping these documents available through Google Docs allows the students to quickly access information if they are completing applications for extra-curricular activities, college, and job applications. Reviewing their personal writing styles allows the students to see how they improve, how to self assess, and with Google Docs sharing capability an opportunity to have mentors and community leaders to provide assistance.
Being An American Essay Contest Rules and Regulations
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Flunked the Movie
Has anyone seen this movie?
The United States is living on its past. Among the oldest group in the study (those aged 56–65), U.S. prose skills rose to second place. For those attending school in the 1950s, SAT scores reached an all-time high.As the years go by, the United States slips down the list. Americans educated in the sixties captured a Bronze Medal in literacy, those schooled in the seventies got 5th place in the race. But those schooled in the nineties ranked 14th…
FREE FLUNKED SCREENINGS
Wichita, Kansas Flint Hills Center for Public Policy
Wednesday, October 8th 5:00 pm
Orpheum Theatre 200 N. Broadway Wichita, KS
Admission: 1 School Supply
RSVP: 316-634-0218 or www.flinthills.org
Previous Flunked Screenings:
Harrisburg, PA - October, 7th
Tempe, AZ - October, 6th
Washington, DC - September, 23rd
Jackson, MS - September, 16th
Scottsdale, AZ – September, 9th
Boise, ID - August 26th, 2008
BCIFF, Houston TX – August 9th, 2008
Albuquerque, NM - July 31st, 2008
Spokane, WA - July 23rd, 2008
Excellence In Action Summit- Orlando FL - June 20th, 2008
Sacramento, CA - June 12th, 2008
Portland, OR - May 28th, 2008
Denver, CO - May 21st, 2008
Seattle, WA - March 18th, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Veterans Day
As we come out of celebrating USMC's 233rd birthday, we migrate into Veterans Day. To all of my fellow veterans...Enjoy your Veterans Day! There are many things we can do to celebrate Veterans Day throughout the year.
Take a moment and send an email, provide pet foster care, send a care package, donate blood, donate frequent flyer miles, pray, or volunteer in your community.
eMom (e mail our military)
Armed Forces Network (AFN)
History Channel's Take a Veteran to School Day
Most of the links provide supplemental information for teachers and parents to teach children more about the day and how to say, "Thank you" to the many veterans they see everyday
A few more ways to honor our heroes this Veterans Day:
• Write a veteran a thank-you note, or send a letter to an entire VFW or American Legion post.
• Write a letter/Send an email to a Soldier currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
• Talk to your children about who veterans are, what they do and what their service means to our country.
Thank you Veterans! We will never forget.
What special way do you remember your veterans?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)