PORT ANGELES — Writing prompts for the annual 2016 Racial Equality Essay Contest, grades kindergarten through sixth, have been announced by essay coordinators.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of racial equality is the focal point for the contest. Students in the Port Angeles School District can enter essays for the contest using the appropriate grade prompts.
Teachers will submit essays by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 to Central Services for judging at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Winning essays will be displayed in the Central Services Board Room, 216 E. Fourth St.
Winners will be honored in an award presentation ceremony at Port Angeles City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St., at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 15.
Prompts range in difficulty level according to grade level.
2016 prompts
The 2016 prompts are as follows:
Kindergarten: Draw a picture of yourself and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Write about what you do to make the world a fair place.
Grade 1: Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted everyone to be treated fairly.
Explain why it is important to treat others fairly and how it makes you feel. Use examples from your own life, from books you have read, or from discussions to help you explain.
Grade 2: Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted peace for everyone.
Explain what you could do to make your school more peaceful.
Grade 3: Martin Luther King, Jr. was someone who inspired others to be better people. Explain what was amazing about Martin Luther King, Jr., using evidence from the text given to students.
Grade 4: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a special person who did great things to make our world a better place.
Using evidence from the text, give examples of two great things that Martin Luther King, Jr. accomplished and explain why those examples were great.
Grade 5: Martin Luther King, Jr. was considered a hero. Heroes share certain personality characteristics. Choose one or two characteristics and give evidence from the text to support your thinking.
Next, think of someone in your own life who shares the character traits you chose. Explain how that person is similar to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grade 6: Martin Luther King, Jr. was someone whose words inspired others and made a lasting impact on our country.
Choose one quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. and explain how that quote is important to you and how it could make a positive difference in your life.
Judges are still needed for the contest. Those interested can contact Sandra Biasell at sbiasell@portangelesschools.org or Marsha McKay at mmckay@portangelesschools.org.
For more information, contact your student’s teacher.