NDRA Young Writers' Project 2010-2011

Writing in the Heartland

All LARC members are invited to have their classrooms participate in the 2010-2011 Young Writers' Project sponsored by the North Dakota Reading Association.

Grades K-1: Picture Writing

We live in the state of North Dakota, which is considered part of the "heartland" of America. For this project, students will utilize their knowledge of the area around them and personal experiences to inform others about a place in North Dakota

*Use personal pictures, calendar pictures, or pictures provided by the teacher of areas and places in ND. These could includce vacation spots, favorite lakes, landmarks, schools, cities, etc.

*Write three or more sentences describing the area and/or the activity that is taking place.

*Typed or written project

*Resource books: Buster's Postcards series by Marc Brown

Grades 2-3: Personal Narrative

Author Marc Brown (Arthur books) loves to use his personal experiences in his writing and storytelling. Did you know the character D.W. is modeled after his sister? For this writing project, students will write a personal narrative about an interesting event that has taken place in their life.

*Writing includes a beginning, middle, and end.

*Narrow your event to "one moment in time" and elaborate on that one event.

*Two paragraphs minimum typed or written

*Resources: Arthur/Marc Brown videos and books

Grades 4-5: Persuasive Essay

Many people in the United States have never visited our state. Now is your chance to persuade vistors to see what they are missing out on! By writing an informational essay about our state, persuade a visitor to make ND a must-see desitantion spot in the heartland of America.

*Use factual information in your writing

*May include some personal experiences

*Use persuasive and descriptive language to entice a visitor.

*Three to five paragraphs typed or written. 

Grades 6-9: Short Story

Everyone loves a good short story and the "heartland" of America has been the setting for many authors to pen their literary works. Using your personal knowledge or researched information, write a short story using the heartland as the setting.

*May take place in the past or present tense

*Story elements must be incorporated

*Remember that setting has a direct influence on the character and the experiences he/she has in the story.

*Story must have a beginning, middle, and end.

*Elaboration using creative word choice is encouraged.

*Minimum of two typed pages

Grades 9-12: Editorial

Even though many people are proud to call themselves a North Dakotan, there has been an outmigration of young people leaving our state. Think about what good qualities ND has in order to keep our young people here and help our state prosper.

*Write an editorial article to support this statement, "North Dakota is a great place to live."

*Provide evidence, where needed, to sustain your position on the statement.

*Draw on your personal experiences in living in the "heartland."

*Maintain a consistent point of view throughout your writing.

*Convince the reader to make or keep ND his/her home.

*Minimum requirement: two typed pages

Interested in participating?

Email cjuntunen@gfschools.org for forms and register by Oct. 20.

Project Deadlines:

Registration forms due: October 20, 2010

Participants submit class winner: February 5, 2011

Local Council winners announced: February 14, 2011

State winners announced: March 17, 2011

State winners invited to attend Spring NDRA Conference: Luncheon with Marc Brown on April 16, 2011

For more information check out the Young Writers Project page at NDRA.