1. Dare to Be Different North Dakota Reading Association
Young Writers’ Project

2. This year’s project is based on the book Wonder and We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
Teachers may want to use the books as a base to start the discussion of tolerance and kindness within their classrooms. There are also companion books, Auggie & Me Three Wonder Stories and 365 Days of Wonder that may prove to be helpful with the project. The movie, is slated to be out in theaters on November 17, 2017 which may also be a great activity to attend in conjunction with this writing project.
*Although the books will be a great point of discussion and resource, the projects are designed to stand alone and not do not need the back story of the book, in order to complete the project.

3. General Overview of 2017-2018 projects
Grades K-1: Write a short narrative of what you can do to show kindness to someone new to your school/town who is different than you are.
Grade2-3: Write a short narrative to finish the sentence “I am a wonder” because...
Grades 4-5: Compose a word cloud comprised of words that celebrate tolerance and kindness
Grades 6-8: Compile a narrative about yourself and present in the likeness of your thumbprint.
Grades 9-12: Write a letter to your future self celebrating your uniqueness as a person and how you would like to spread tolerance and kindness in your future years.

4. Write a short narrative
Grades K-1
Write a short narrative
of what you can do to show kindness to someone new to your school/town who is different than you are.
*Students will write a narrative about what they can do to show kindness to someone who is different than they are.
*Use an illustration to enhance the text.
*The writing may be in the student’s own handwriting or written digitally. The overall content, the thoughts of the writer and the artwork will be judged.
*Refer to ND Language Arts Standards

5. Students will write a short narrative to finish the sentence,
Grades 2 and 3
“I Am a Wonder” because. . .
Students will write a short narrative to finish the sentence,
I am a wonder because. . . Focusing on their own unique and special qualities they bring to their families, classrooms or community.
*Use of descriptive language, voice and thoughtfulness will be important to the content.
*Writing standards, voice, and the artwork will be considered in the judging.
*Text may be hand written or typed.
*Refer to ND Language Arts Standards

6. Grades 4 and 5 Kindness and Tolerance Word Cloud Using a word cloud type format, students will assemble words related to kindness and tolerance into an attractive and artistic design.
*Students will use descriptive language to create a Wordle-like, word cloud using meaning and thoughtful words, portraying the hope of building tolerance and kindness in our world.
*Word choice and artistic layout/format to enhance the presentation of the words will be used in the judging criterion.
*Handwritten or digital format
*Refer to ND Language Arts Standards

7. Grades 6,7,8 Only ONE You Compile a narrative about yourself and present in the likeness of you, in the form of a thumbprint self portrait
*Compile a narrative writing about yourself and present
in the likeness of your thumbprint.
(See Pinterest for examples if needed.)
*Focus will be on descriptive language, clarity of thoughts,
voice, and delivery of message.
*Artwork and font choice should enhance the word choices, not distract from them.
*Handwritten or digital format
*Refer to ND Language Arts Standards

8. Grades 9-12 Dear Self Write a letter to your future self celebrating your uniqueness as a person, and what you can do to facilitate tolerance and kindness in your future world.
*With thought and introspect, students will write a letter to their future self, focusing on who they are and what they would like to do in order to bring more kindness and tolerance to those around them in future years.
*Standard writing conventions, personality, and voice will be important for the judging of this work.
*Any artwork provided will certainly enhance the story.
*Work can be handwritten, typed or digital.
*Refer to ND Language Arts Standards

9. Name:_________________________________ Grade:_________________
Video Release form North Dakota Reading Association Young Writers’ Project * in the case where a student chooses to do a video for their project*
This form gives ___________________________, age___________ permission to be recorded in a digital format for the sole use in the Young Writers’ Project which is sponsored by the North Dakota Reading Association. The signing of this form grants the permission for the video to be made by the above student, with the supervision from the teacher, and may be shown publically as part of the classroom expectations and promotion of the project for the North Dakota Reading Association.
Name:_________________________________ Grade:_________________
School:_______________________________________ Teacher:_______________________
Parent Signature if the above student is a minor:___________________________________
Date:______________________________
Home Address:_______________________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________________ ___________________________________

10. Dates to Remember: Print this page out and post it where you can see it!
December 1: Deadline for initial teacher registration
February 1: Select Classroom Winners
February 15: Select Category winners within each school (for larger school districts with multiple classrooms for the same grade.)
March 1: Submit Category winners from each school to local council Vice Presidents. Local VPs will then forward the entries.
March 15: Submit local council winners to Donna Marty.
April 2: State winners will be announced.
April 26-28: NDRA State Conference

11. How to Register for YWP:
Initial Registration Forms are available to download on the North Dakota Reading Association website (wildapricot). You may also print and copy the form from this presentation.
If you are considering having your students participate in the project, you need to submit a participation form to Donna Marty, YWP Chairperson by November 17, If at a later time, you change your mind and won’t be doing the project, the registration will be discarded. If you do not register by this date, your students will be unable to participate.
Teachers making student submissions must be members of NDRA. Not a member? Contact a North Dakota Reading Association Council member in your building or refer to the NDRA website at
Mark the important deadlines on your calendar.

12. Initial Entry Form Due December 1, 2017
NDRA Young Writers’ Project
Wonder
Dare to Be Different!
Submit the following form by December 1, 2017 for eligibility to enter students in the YWP
Yes! I am interested in having my students participate in the YWP
Name:__________________________________________
School:_______________________________ School District: __________________________________
Address:________________________________________ City:____________________________
__________________________________________
Local Reading Council: ______________________________
Submit Form to:
Donna Marty Box 789 Dunseith, ND 58239
or at

13. How to Submit Student Entries:
How to Submit Student Entries: *You must have registered for the project by December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible to participate and must be a member of the North Dakota Reading Association
Local Council Vice Presidents will be your contact person for submission of entries.
Copy the form on the following page and attach it to each student entry.
Double check to make sure students are in the correct grade category.
Submit class entries to be judged at the local level by February 1, 2018.
*For Blind/impartial judging, ask someone in your building to judge your entries or ask a local council member to assist.
*Consider assigning student numbers or taping over names so that judging remains impartial.
Submit each classroom winner to be judged for category winners within your school by February 15 , 2018.
Send school category winners to local council Vice President by March 1, 2018.
Each Council VP will submit council winners to Donna Marty by March 15, All submissions will be then sent to an impartial judge, not associated with NDRA, but has Language Arts expertise.
Winners will be announced April 2, 2018 via to award winner teachers, then later that day, posted on the website and Facebook page.

14. NDRA Young Writers’ Project 2017-2018 Wonder! Dare to Be Different
Student Name:__________________________________________________ Grade:_______________
School:____________________________________________________ City:________________________
School District:________________________________________________
Teacher Name:_____________________________________ ________________________________
Yes/No I am a member of NDRA
Local Reading Council: (circle one)
Chautauqua North Central Valley South Central Badlands Prairie Lake Agassiz
*Attach this information sheet to each student writing before submitting it to your local council for judging.
*If you have questions, please contact

15. Judging Criteria All entries must be submitted by a member of NDRA
All submissions must fall under the assigned grade categories.
Refer to grade level language arts standards specified for each category. Be aware of which writing standard is being targeted for the project (opinion, narrative, persuasive, etc.). Also, keep in mind the other language arts standard and expectations which are at each grade level.
Refer to specific category guidelines for judging criterion.
Entries will be judged on creative thinking, work choice, descriptive language, voice and language arts content standards specific to each project. Artwork enhances the message of the writing.
Entries that make it to the state level will be evaluated by panel of people with the name/school/council of the student and teacher not visible to the judges eye.

16. Awards /Recognition Spring of 2018 State Conference Recognition
Teachers of the winning entries will be notified by by April 2, 2018
Award winners will be posted on the NDRA website and Facebook page after the winners have been notified.
Each local council is encouraged to recognize their local winners in school or local newspaper.
Award certificates (participating teacher, participating student, classroom winner, school category winner and local council winner) will be made available to Council Vice Presidents. Each Council Vice President needs to send Donna Marty their contact information in order to have the certificates sent to them each year.
Spring of 2018 State Conference Recognition
April 26, 28, 2018
Winning student and teacher
recognition at the State 50th Conference is pending. Further information will be posted when a time and place during the NDRA Conference is confirmed.

17. Contact Information:
Donna Marty Work Phone: ext. 213 Work Mailing Address: Dunseith Elementary School PO Box 789 Dunseith, ND 58329
I try to respond to s in a timely manner. However, I usually only have the chance to check my at 12:00p.m. while my students and I are in computer lab. Please give me time to respond. If you feel I have not responded or may have missed your , send me a gentle reminder! Be sure to use the above . Thanks!