Once again MrsP.com is holding her annual Be-a-Famous Writer Contest. Now in its 6th year, the contest is geared toward K-4 classrooms. The theme of this years contest is Time Travel. Here is what Mrs. P had to say about the upcoming contest.
Tell me about the theme for this years contest?
I thought that kids would love the idea of writing about escaping to another place in time, and that teachers could use it as a class project inspiring ideas of past explorers or inventors, or thinking about what advances might happen in the future. It’s an ideal opportunity to explore some times and places other than our own. Students can go to any period or place of their choice. I can’t wait to read if they choose to head off to the future or go back to visit the dinosaurs. Or will they revisit last years birthday party because it was so much fun?
Do you have favorite books about time travel?
Some of my favorite books about Time Travel are Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” – remember the ghost of Christmas past? And of course J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Why are writing contests important for kids?
Often times the kids that are the writers in the class, are also the introverts. Writing can help build confidence and help them find an audience for the voice they want to share. A contest can also aide in honing skills like deadlines, word count and focusing on a subject matter.
Do you have any writing prompts to help kids get started?
Oh yes, I can think of several right off the bat. Get them thinking about the time machine they would build and describe it. Or ask them to travel to the future and then come back and describe it to the whole class.
How is the whole class involved in the contest?
It is the classroom entering, not an individual student. The class can write it as a collaborative project, or they can vote on one entry to represent their class. The classroom will be recognized as the winner. (For example “Mrs. P’s 3rd Grade Class from Dreamy Valley”) Everyone in the class that wins is winning books and prizes for their school. It promotes everyone working together as a tean. The classroom and school library will have their story made into an actual book illustrated by Robin Robinson. And Mrs. P reads the story live to the classroom that wins!
Who will be judging the entries?
The stories are judged by a panel of celebrity judges including actress Marion Ross, probably best known for her 11-year portrayal of the iconic mother, “Mrs. C” on the hit ABC series Happy Days and Robert L. Forbes, writer of three books of poetry for children. And we have a 5th grade teacher, Jamie Palmer, who also writes the blog The Second Library.
How do schools enter and how can parents get involved?
The contest is for classrooms only and is FREE to enter. Parents you can participate by telling your child’s teacher about it.
- ENTRY DATES: SEPTEMBER 1, 2014.
- Contest Closes: November 15, 2014
- Winners Announced January 15, 2015
- For classrooms K – 4th grade
Mrs. P invites classrooms to write a story on the topic of TIME TRAVEL no less than 250 words and not to exceed 1,000 words. It may be fiction or non-fiction. Any classroom from Kindergarten through 4th grade may enter. Just one story per classroom! It can be a collaborative story, or teachers can have their class vote on which child’s story to enter. Find all the details on my contest website.
My amazing sponsors are providing books galore that will benefit the schools of the winners! Books in every format, real books, digital books and audio books! And what school doesn’t need books? See my prize page for more details. Meet my sponsors: Buy Preferred, myON Reader, Tales2Go, Polka Dots Publishing, Inc. & Powell’s Books
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