What Is it All About?
The written word can be an expressive and healing medium to address social issues related to growth and development. Call for submissions based on topics specific to those in your school community (e.g., body image, self-esteem, healthy relationships).
Why Do It?
Express yourself through words. Pick a topic or issue you are passionate about and make your voice heard!
How Do We Do It?
Work with a team and an adult ally to decide on a specific topic and call for submissions. Submission formats could be short stories, articles, poems, or spoken-word pieces.
Submissions can be anonymous.
Showcase entries in the halls, on the PA system, on the school website, or in the school newsletter.
Decorate the hall where the entries are posted as the “Hall of Fame.”
Give a prize for certain entries (e.g., most thought-provoking, most honest, funniest, most creative).
Make a ‘zine out of the entries and self-publish it! Distribute it (with permission) around the school. Ask local libraries and bookstores to stock and display the ‘zine.
What Else Do We Need?
- Markers, paper, and paints to decorate the Wall of Fame
- Prizes for best entries
How Do We Get Creative?
Have a theme! It could be taken from a Draw-the-Line (DTL) scenario, or reimagining classic fairy tales to be more inclusive or to show healthy relationships and drawing the line.
Make a big deal about the awards, even for the anonymous entries.
Publish all written entries in a special book or on a dedicated website.
Adapted from La Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO).