This annual event is a wonderful way for teachers to encourage their students to think on a deeper level about how we should treat our earth, nature, and the environment we live in.  It challenges them to relay their thoughts in poetry OR essay form. This writing challenge will be offered to 3rd and 4th-grade students.  With many opportunities beginning at the middle school level, we wish to encourage slightly younger students to use their creative thinking skills, enhance their thoughts on how to create a healthier tomorrow and build their confidence—not only in their writing skills but in themselves and what they can accomplish.

Contest Guidelines: 

*Offered to 3rd and 4th grade students

*Students can choose to submit a poem (for example...Haiku, Acrostic, Rhyming) or an essay, in ANY form or type they wish to explore with the theme, "Working Together to Create a Healthier Tomorrow." Keeping with this theme, past entries have explored gardening, recycling, helping animal life, healthy living habits, and forestry to name a few.

*Student entries please include: name, grade level, school

*Teachers: please include the best contact information for communicating entry results

*Pictures on the entry page are not required, although many students do add some (either hand-drawn or computer images).  Again, they are not required but can add to the overall presentation.

*Send in to:  Ebert's Greenhouse Village W 1795 Fox Rd. Ixonia WI 53036 ATTN: Renee Ebert,  OR teachers may bring them in marked -"Earth Day Writing Challenge" ATTN: Renee Ebert postmarked or received by Wednesday, April 10th

*Feel free to email any questions...rebert@ebertsgreenhouse.com

                   

Contest Timeline:

*Ongoing now through Wednesday, April 10th

*Monday, April 10th all poems and Essays due

*Winners notified by the following week (April 15th &16th)

*Winners pick up their awards either Saturday, April 20th or Sunday, April 21st at Ebert's Greenhouse Village as a time will be set up upon winner notification

Winner's Award Kit: An award kit will be given out to the top three winners of each of the poetry and essay divisions. We encourage teachers to give recognition to any winners they may have in their class, by sharing the information in their school/classroom newsletters!  We will take a picture, and recognize the winners on our Ebert's website, newsletter, social media, and local newspapers with parental permission.

Awards will include:

* Award certificate, laminated copy of entry to keep

*Cash awards for each division: First place $20-Second place $15-Third place $10

*A coupon to pick out a complimentary 4.5" plant

*Upcycled garden kit to take home and plant

We are so excited to read the entries! Thank you for taking part in this challenge and for your continued support of Ebert's Greenhouse Village!  Good luck to all participants and have fun!