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Celebrate America

Creative Writing Contest for 5th Graders

Celebrate AmericaCreative Writing Contest for 5th Graders

19th Annual Celebrate America Contest

The American Immigration Council is proud to sponsor the 19th annual Celebrate America Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest. The contest inspires educators to bring U.S. Immigration history and lessons into their classrooms and gives fifth graders the opportunity to explore America as a nation of immigrants.

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WRITE

Informed by Common Core aligned lessons and/or a classroom visit from an immigration attorney, students write up to 500 words on the contest theme.
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WIN

Winners often receive locally donated prizes and read their work in front of an audience at an awards ceremony. The national prize winner receives a round trip to read the winning entry at the American Immigration Council's annual benefit.
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SHARE

Many local contests regularly organize an opportunity for the winning student(s) to read their entry at a naturalization ceremony. Where else does a fifth grader get to read in front of audience of potentially hundreds of new citizens?

How does it work?


5th Grade writers use the theme “Why I am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants” to discuss their personal immigration experiences, learn about and share family histories or write about the broader questions of the challenges facing immigrants in a new land. Students enter their work in local contests which are sponsored by chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Each chapter forwards the local winning entry to the National Competition where entries are reviewed by a distinguished panel including U.S. senators, award-winning authors and noted journalists.


Visit www.celebrateamericacreativewritingcontest.org to see our famous judges and learn more!

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Anya F.

The 2015 National Winner. Read the winning entry.
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Winners in San Francisco

Each community celebrates the winners and participants of the local contest.
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Charlotte L.

The 2014 National Winner. Read the 2014 winning entry.
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FIND YOUR LOCAL CONTEST

Over 32 locations have a local contest. Check here to find your local contest . No worries if your community is not listed. Just let us know you are interested and we will try our best to get you started!

Email: teacher@immcouncil.org
Website: www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org
Twitter: @immteacher

What's New for 2016:

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS!

Digital Storytelling (like the example below from a former 5th grade winner)!

"My Grandfather Ben" American Immigration Council 2011 Celebrate America Winner
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How do you or your coordinator get your community involved?

  • Make sure your community has a local coordinator (if they don't, just let us know)
  • Contact your school system and tell them about the Celebrate America Contest
  • Let the Parent Teacher Association or similar groups know about the contest
  • Share the information with 5th grade teachers
  • Arrange for an attorney visit to your school in person or via Skype
  • Share the information with enrichment teachers, librarians, and other educators
  • Follow us on Twitter @immteacher #celebrateamerica16
  • Plan great events like award ceremonies and Naturalization Oath Ceremonies honoring the local winners, teachers and community members who made the contest happen.

Email: sburnett@immcouncil.org
Website: celebrateamericawritingcontest.org
Location: 1331 G Street Northwest, Washington, DC, United States
Phone: 202-507-7518
Twitter: @immteacher

SHOW US HOW YOUR CLASS CELEBRATES AMERICA
Visit our interactive bulletin board and post ideas, photos, or activities your classroom and/ or community is engaged in.

Share the flyer with a school

Go to www.celebrateamericawritingcontest.org and fill out the fillable PDF with your local coordinator's information then share in your community. You can find your local coordinator on the same website or you can contact teacher@immcouncil.org for assistance.