The extraordinary National Writing Project has done it again and is offering a too-good-to-pass-up online writing opportunity to students.

Here’s an excerpt from their site, WRITING OUR FUTURE: AMERICAN CREED AND A NEW YOUTH PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY (you’ll want to go there to get all the other additional information):

NWP is getting ready to launch a new youth publishing opportunity connected to the PBS documentary American Creed (broadcast nationally February 27 and streaming free of charge starting February 28 at www.pbs.org/americancreed). Through stories set in big cities, small towns, and rural areas around the country, American Creed wrestles with key challenges facing American youth today, including creating economic opportunity and finding ways to meaningfully participate in civic life. The film encourages youth to explore questions like “What should America’s national ideals be?” and “How do we close the gap between ideals and reality?” American Creed is co-produced by Citizen Film and WTTW.

You and the youth you work with are invited to add your voice to the conversation about American Creed. Bring the film to your classroom or learning center, and support young people in responding through writing, art, and media. Teens (13+) and young adults are invited to share their responses on the National Writing Project’s American Creed youth publishing site (also coming February 27).

Here’s a trailer for the documentary:

I’m adding this info to The Best Places Where Students Can Write For An “Authentic Audience”

There are lots of different ways for students to write about an “autobiographical incident.”

One way I’m planning to experiment with this coming year with my English Language Learner students is framing it as a “public narrative.”

“Public Narrative” is a strategy refined by Marshall Ganz, a former community organizer (readers might remember I was an organizer for nineteen years prior to becoming a teacher):

“By telling our personal stories of challenges we have faced, choices we have made, and what we learned from the outcomes, we can inspire others and share our own wisdom,” Ganz has written. 

I like the three acts framework he uses.

You can find easily modifiable hand-outs here, along with links to both text and video examples here.

Pages 27 through 38 in this lengthy document have even more useful resources.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

I’m adding this info to The “Best” Sites For Helping Students Write Autobiographical Incident Essays.