Blog Case Study with Eden Hall Upper Elementary, PA
By Young Writers |
OBJECTIVE
Eden Hall Upper Elementary, PA uses Young Writers' contests as an opportunity for their students to engage in poetry and creative writing to gain recognition and write for a purpose through the possibility of having their work published in a book, which is a huge motivating factor for their students.
DISCOVERY OF YOUNG WRITERS
The introduction to Young Writers' contests came through information received at the school a few years ago, sparking an interest in exploring creative writing opportunities for students.
EDEN HALL UPPER ELEMENTARY’S EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG WRITERS CONTESTS
Maria Walkowiak is the teacher responsible for 4-6 Grade ELA Enrichment and creative writing clubs and the students’ experience with Young Writers' contests has been consistently positive. The clear rules, appropriate challenge levels, and ease of entry, combined with engaging contest videos, have fueled student interest and motivation.
STUDENT RESPONSE TO WRITING POETRY
Students at Eden Hall Upper Elementary embraced the opportunity to write poetry for a purpose, particularly appreciating the freedom to explore various poetry forms without word limits.
IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND WRITING SKILLS
The contests have left a significant impact on students, fostering improvements in confidence, motivation, and a willingness to share their writing. Positive changes were noted in writing fluency, starting and completing writing pieces, and an overall eagerness to engage with writing.
SUCCESS STORIES
A notable success occurred in 2021 when the school won the Young Writers Award of Excellence for schoolwide entries in "A Wander in the Woods” national writing contest. This achievement was a huge source of pride for the students and the teacher.
BENEFITS FOR THE SCHOOL AND STUDENTS
The high-interest nature of the contests and motivating certificates appeal to students of all ability levels. Participation has become a driving force behind increased writing frequency, leading to improved writing ability and heightened confidence.
INTEGRATION INTO LESSON PLANS
Participation is seamlessly integrated into daily lessons through a 10-minute writing warm-up, with the option to work on a writing contest. Preview videos for new contests are played, and the contests are included as an activity choice for students with extra time.
USE OF RESOURCES
Students were provided access to Young Writers' resources, videos, and planning guides through Google Classroom. Clear due dates were established, and submissions were organized through the writing portal on the Young Writers’ website making it easy to co-ordinate and submit students’ work.
EXPERIENCE OF BEING PUBLISHED
Maria Walkowiak told Young Writers that students and families are in amazement that their writing is actually published in a real, high-quality book. In the classroom, there is a bookshelf devoted to all of the published books!
RECOMMENDATION TO OTHER TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
Maria constantly recommends Young Writers to fellow teachers and friends at other schools, highlighting the positive impact of the contests on students' creativity, confidence, and overall writing abilities.
CONCLUSION
Young Writers' contests have not only enriched the school's writing culture but have also become a significant draw for students seeking a creative outlet. The positive feedback and enthusiasm from students, who consider writing club their favorite time of the week really look forward to attending. Which in turn has made Maria feel that they’re really making a difference in their students’ learning.
Download a PDF of this case study here.
Published: Thu 18th Jul 2024