Write Now!

From the Howard County Library:  Write! Now is Howard County Library System’s poetry contest for middle and high school students, open to Howard County students in grades 6 through 12. For information about the contest and ideas about where to begin, download our Write! Now brochure for Teachers and Students. You can also review our resource list.

Students in grades 6-12, who live or attend school in Howard County, are invited to submit original poetry December 3 through March 8. Winners will read their poems at the Write! Now Celebration on April 24, 2013. Details and entry forms at hclibrary.org/writenow. Sponsored by Friends of Howard County Library.
Entry rules

  • Write! Now begins December 3, 2012. The submission form will be available on this page at that time.
  • Submissions close on March 8, 2013
  • The contest is open to students who live or attend school in Howard County in these categories:
    • Grades 6-7 (Division 1)
    • Grades 8-9 (Division 2)
    • Grades 10-12 (Division 3)
  • Poems must be original, unpublished works. Plagiarized submissions will be disqualified.
  • Submit up to three poems.
  • Poems must be 60 lines or less in length.
  • Complete only the information requested on the entry form. Do not add your name or school information to the body of the poem. Poems are judged anonymously.
  • Students may qualify for only one prize in each age group.

Judging criteria
A committee of judges will rate the entries. The judges will look for these elements in each poem:

  • The poem has a title
  • The poem offers original ideas and words
  • The poem makes readers think
  • The poem contains language that is creative and poetic

Prizes
Winners will be contacted in April. Winners in each category will receive an invitation to read their winning poems at a special event on Wednesday, April 24 at the Miller Branch in Ellicott City. In addition, winning poems will be featured on the web site. Congratulations to our 2012 winners.

Additional questions can be answered at any Howard County Library System branch, or by sending us an e-mail. We look forward to receiving and reading your entries.

Visit hclibrary.org for a complete listing of classes and events.

Write! Now is sponsored by Friends of Howard County Library.

 

Credits:

Top graphic from the Howard County Library

Other graphics: TheDaringLibrarian.com photos from  – found Urban Art in alley way Adelaide, Australia.

 

 

Mean Girls at the Library!

From our A+ partner the Howard County Library:

“Sugar and spice and everything nice…not always!

Middle school students and their parents are invited to explore the complex world of girls at Horizon Family Communication Night:  Mean Girls.  Expert Deborah West leads discussion and exercises that offer the keys to understanding Queen Bees, Gamma Girls, and surviving the intricate female social hierarchy.

“Mean Girls,” a communication workshop for 11-14 year-old girls and their parents, will be held. Social worker Deborah West will discuss with the girls and their parents how to navigate the social spectrum and learn how to create a positive outcome when confronted with negative teen behavior. She offers the keys to understanding “Queen Bees” and “Gamma Girls,” and surviving the female social hierarchy. Registration required.

For more information contact:
Sarah Moore, Teen Specialist  – Howard County Library System — Savage Branch
410-880-5980

Co-sponsored by the Women’s Giving Circle and he Horizon Councils.

Choose Civility HiTech Teen Day!

This Wednesday! 

From the HCL Website:

Create (or Edit) an iBook
Register today to collaborate with your friends to create a Choose Civility iBook! A community-wide initiative, Choose Civility aims to enhance respect, empathy, consideration, and tolerance.

All you need to do is write a brief summary, poem or letter (no longer than 1 page) on one of the following topics:

• importance of being respectful,
• a kind or thoughtful message for those going through a tough time, or
• how to make the world a better place.

Please make sure your document is on a thumb drive. You may also bring original pictures and photos that best depict your written document or create it during the iBook session.

HiTech is funded by a Federal STEM grant from IMLS and the MacArthur Foundation.

PS. Brekkie & Lunch included! Nom, nom!

Register HERE!

for more information contact our good friend:

Sarah Moore
Teen Specialist
Howard County Library System
Savage Branch
410-880-5980