About the 4th Grade NJ Studies Program…
Q: What is the purpose of the Celebrate NJ School Programs?
A: The purpose of all the Celebrate NJ! School Programs is to educate, inspire and celebrate New Jersey’s children. We focus on the positive aspects of living, working and learning available here in New Jerseyand seek to give our children a number of ways to connect to each other, to the world around them and to their own hopes and dreams.
Q: What is the Celebrate NJ! Fourth Grade NJ Studies Writing Program?
A: Most kids in NJ learn aboutNew Jerseyin fourth grade. We’ve created a fun and engaging writing contest designed to engage New Jersey’s fourth grade students in exercising their language arts, social studies and computer technology skills as they learn about what makes New Jersey an awesome place to call home.
Deciding to participate…
Q: Who may participate?
A: Any and every New Jerseystudent in the 4th grade in public or nonpublic schools, home schools, charter schools and afterschool programs.
Q: Is there any cost to participate?
A: There is no cost to participate. We raise all of the money to fund the program and offer it free of charge.
Q: How do I register?
A: It’s easy! Register your students by using the online registration form found on www.CelebrateNJ.org, School Program page. Once you are registered, you can get your students started in the process of choosing a topic and beginning their research.
In the Classroom…
Q: How does my class benefit by being involved in the Fourth Grade NJ Studies Program?
A: You have to teachNew Jerseyhistory anyway. Why not make it easy for you and your students? You get a turn-key curriculum-based program with a proven track record. Your students get to develop their language arts literacy, social studies and computer skills as they engage in the program. We think they’ll also become fans of The Garden State, which is a good thing for all of us!
Q: How do the students participate?
A: The theme of the writing program is centered around writing an article for the “New Jersey Scoop” online newspaper. Students choose an editorial area of interest (Arts, Travel, Sports, Business, People in the News or Science), and then a topic. We provide resources to get them started.
Q: What is the role of the classroom teacher in the program?
A: Classroom teachers oversee the program in the classroom, including research, drafting and finalizing the article, submission in the contest and channeling information about the program home. Since research is a big part of the program, collaborations between the media specialist or librarian and the classroom teacher also work well.
Q: How do we get started?
A: Once you’ve reviewed the Assignments and Resources on the website and determined that the deadlines fit within your teaching plan…
- Register your students using the link provided on the Teachers Page of the School Program section of www.CelebrateNJ.com.
- Guide your students through the selection of topics, dividing them up among the six editorial areas of study.
- Point them to the Student Resources page and let the research begin! (These resources are meant to help them get started—they aren’t meant to be the only research tools they use.)
Q: Can we participate in ways other than writing newspaper articles?
A: Teachers may determine that group or team projects work best with his/her students, or that instead of writing articles, they may want to conduct a class project on the study ofNew Jerseyas part of the program. These may also be submitted for judging. If there is not enough time or resources to manage the writing program, a class project may be submitted instead or in addition to the articles.
Q: What is the timeframe of the program?
A: Online registration runs from October 3, 2011 to December 30, 2011.
Students’ article submission runs from January 9, 2012 to March 2, 2012.
Article judging period ends March 23, 2012.
Class project submission ends March 30, 2012.
Article selections announced April 2, 2012.
Regional awards celebration events May 2012.
Production of online newspaper June 2012
Writing and Submitting Student Articles for the Contest…
Q: What are the guidelines and criteria for the articles that are submitted?
A: The article should be 150 – 250 words, proof read and corrected prior to submission. Please use no smaller than 12 font, in Arial or Times New Roman. The topic should fit the assignment detailed on the Assignment page. For further information please look on the website.
Q: How many articles may I submit from my class?
A: Up to six articles per class may be submitted by the predetermined deadline. We suggest that all members of the class determine which articles are sent to us.
Q: How do I submit the articles?
A: Instructions for submitting the articles will be posted on the Teachers page of the website and emailed to all registered teachers.
Q: How are the articles judged?
A: Received articles are organized, sorted, and made available for review to a group of volunteer judges. based on how well the articles meet the guidelines and criteria. There is a detailed rubric available on the website.
Student recognition and awards…
Q: How are the students that participate in the essay contest recognized?
A: All students who participate will be acknowledged in a special way. Each year we select the “Best of the Best” from all of the articles judged, and these students are invited to regional awards events. The articles selected as Best of the Best are published in the New Jersey Scoop online newspaper.
Q: What is the New Jersey Scoop and when will articles be published there?
A: The New Jersey Scoop is our online newspaper, and the place where selected articles may be viewed by the student, parents, and community members. We usually publish by the end of May at www.njscoop.com.
Q: Where are award ceremonies held?
A: Locations and dates will be announced. Typically we hold the events atMonmouthUniversity, The Newark Museum, RaritanValleyCommunity CollegeandBurlingtonCountyCollege.
Parent and Community Involvement…
Q: How can parents get involved in this program?
A: Field trips are great ways to bring research to life! Whenever possible parents should support their child’s efforts during the fact-finding stage of the program. The Parent’s Page on our website offers day trips and other ideas for parents.
Q: Is there community involvement?
A: Yes, local businesses may support awards events by becoming a sponsor. Local newspapers support the students by publishing their articles. Everyone can read the selected articles online at www.njscoop.com.
Q: What if I have other questions about the program?
A: Contact Karen Hatcher at 732.333.0462 or khatcher@celebratenj.org for more information. Or visit www.CelebrateNJ.org.
