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Message to Teachers & Principals:

KASA’s 9th Annual Student Writing Contest provides an opportunity for students to connect their individual learning to the world around them.  KASA wants to hear from its most important audience—the students attending Kentucky’s schools, the future of our great commonwealth.     

KASA’s writing contest theme for this year is: Connecting Learning to the Real World.  We encourage students to consider how education has connected them to something personal in their world and write about this experience.  Students should brainstorm what “interconnected” means, how they have been taught by teachers who connect learning to everyday experiences, and what impact that has on their personal achievement and learning processes.     

The goal of the contest is to recognize student excellence in writing. The contest has been designed to complement the writing process, and writing portfolios by giving students an authentic audience and purpose for writing.     

Please encourage your students to participate in the contest, as well as share any feedback that would improve the overall process.  (A student message and contest guidelines follow.)    

First place winners will be invited to read their winning entries at KASA’s annual summer institute, July 22 or 23, receive a $100 gift card, and a distinguished trophy.

Message to Students:

KASA’s 2010 writing contest theme is Connecting Learning to the Real World.  While at school each day, please consider your past and present learning experiences, and then consider how these experiences have been connected to your everyday life.  Below is a list of some guiding questions to help you consider the possibilities:

1. What do schools do to raise awareness of the many different views in our society?
2. What experiences at school have connected students to technology opportunities and growth?
3. How do principles of democracy apply in our schools?
4. What experiences at school have developed students’ understanding of career opportunities/career paths?
5. How has school service learning connected students to needs within the community?
6. What opportunities at school have supported student growth and appreciation of the creative arts?
7. What experiences at school have developed students’ understanding of future studies/fields of interest? 
8. What opportunities at school have supported student growth and appreciation of community leaders?
9. How has school-based instruction connected students to international partners and/or travel?
10. Will education today connect to future diplomacy skills for our students?
11. How will learning about “green” school initiatives connect to daily family living, global trends, or the greenhouse effect?
12. Will learning in today’s classrooms connect to targeted 21st century learning skills?

Using the writing format of your choice, please write about the many ways you believe education and learning can be connected to the world around us.  Include research that guides your thinking, be CREATIVE and have fun!!