| Education Newsletter: | ||
May 2013 :: Summer Reads |
||
|
Our May 2013 newsletter is filled with stories to get your summer started, featuring reading just for your personal pleasure. Discover solutions journalism and how good news helps break down the myth of our own powerlessness. Uncover the truth about Eleanor Roosevelt’s history of defending human rights. See how classrooms approach ending school violence. And be inspired by our essay winners who responded to “What Can Change When We Learn to See Each Other.” Read it here! |
||
|
|
 |
 |
|
From mobile libraries to book exchange parties, discover how to get others to read the books you love. |
Two recipients of this year’s Goldman Environmental Prize are working to abolish the practice of sending trash to landfills and incinerators. |
Akaya Windwood argues that niceness is filled with falseness and will not solve the difficulties facing our communities. Her answer: kindness. |
| In the Current Issue: | ||
Love and the Apocalypse |
||
|
See why anxiety and anguish are rational, healthy, and courageous by discovering the real meaning of the word “apocalypse.”
School’s out, but this summer you can still learn about the number of bald eagles in America and the highest scoring Scrabble word in history—worth 365 points!
See how a radical group of American nuns fell under Vatican investigation for seeing the causes—not just the symptoms—of injustice.
|
|
|
For Your Classroom
 |
 |
 |
|
Relevant and empowering curricula and lesson plans ranging from sustainability to happiness. |
Your inspiring stories direct from the classroom, or the field. |
Posters, charts, and other visuals from the pages of YES! Magazine that capture student interest and learning. |
YES! National Student Writing Competition
Registration open through April 27 for Spring 2013 Writing Competition!
Here's an opportunity that not only will push your students' writing and critical thinking, but also will meet several Common Core State Standards.
Photo by Roman Gridin courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Where Does Your Food Come From?
This spring, students will read and respond to the YES! article, "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila. April's story is about the confidence she developed from knowing what she is eating. After April learned of the possible health effects related to eating genetically modified corn from Monsanto, she had an insatiable need to know more. She wondered where exactly Monsanto corn existed in her family's diet, and where her food came from.
Students will have plenty to think about as they write an essay of up to 700 words answering this writing prompt: April Dávila discovered that around 70 percent of processed foods on American supermarket shelves contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Does this concern you? What matters most to you about the food you eat?
The deadline for registration is Saturday, April 27, 2013. Essays must be submitted no later than May 18, 2013.
Teachers who submit essays will be entered into a drawing to win a complete set of 18 YES! posters for their classroom, valued at $54. See what you could win here!
Click here for competition details, complete writing prompt, and how to sign up
Winter 2013 Writing Competition Essay Winners
For Winter 2013, participants read and responded to the YES! Magazine article "What Can Change When We Learn to See Each Other" by Akaya Windwood, who invited readers to intentionally notice those we would normally not see. The writing prompt was: “If you intentionally noticed someone you would normally ignore, who would you notice? How would you acknowledge that person? And, what could possibly change for you and for them?”
Congratulations to our essay winners: Middle School—Sumaiyah Mustaphalli; High School—Nizhone Hickman; College–Adam Dales: and Powerful Voice—Reyna Flores. And, thank you to all writers who submitted essays.
Middle School Winner Sumaiyah Mustaphalli
Read Sumaiyah's essay about about how the smile of the young grocery bagger gave her hope for her soon-to-be-born sibling.
High School Winner Nizhone Hickman
Read Nizhone's essay about his challenge of opening up to strangers and his commitment to keep trying.
College Winner Adam Dales
Read Chris' essay about how he was humbled by the kindness of someone he would normally ignore in a depressing area of town.
Powerful Voice Winner Reyna Flores
Read Reyna's poem about a misunderstood young girl and a lonely old woman who find each other.
Akaya Windwood's Response to Essay Winners
Akaya Windwood, president of the Rockwood Leadership Institute and author of "What Can Change When We Learn to See Each Other," responds to essay winners of the Winter 2013 writing competition.
Winter 2013 Writing Competition Literary Gems
We received many powerful essays. Though not every participant can win the contest, we'd like to share some excerpts that caught our eye.
