Tag: Secondary School

HOW TO INSPIRE CHILDREN TO WRITE

HOW TO INSPIRE CHILDREN TO WRITE

Some people still view education as learning how to read and write. Whereas almost every child going to school can read and write. But when it comes to creative writing, it’s a different story. Some of our kids don’t find it interesting, they might say to themselves, “I can write well enough to pass my assignments or to pass an examination”.

Some creative writers have developed different teaching methods that will inspire children to write and also assist parents with these methods. Five of these methods will be discussed in this article.

CREATE STORY CARDS AND BOXES
Gather every item a child is really interested in and put into a box with his name on it. Some boys are interested sports, superheroes in movies and games. If some of these items are not available, you can also get pictures of these things and create a word card with them.

You can ask a child to pick one favorite item from the box and her to write anything she can think of about that item. In this way they develop ideas and write in a way that is unique to them.

INCLUDE WRITING IN DAILY CONVERSATIONS
When discussing with your children, you can steer the conversation into areas of writing but it shouldn’t be based on academics. Ask them how they feel about writing and listen to what they have to say. You’ll find out that last of these children face the problem of what to write and where to get ideas

In the classroom, the teacher might set aside a particular time in the school time table for writing and to some of these children that time might not be enough for them to come up with what to write.

In such cases, you have to encourage them to write daily of what they think and feel and also design strategies that will increase their zeal for writing.

ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP A DIARY
Keeping a diary involves putting down everything important that happens to a person. It could be daily or weekly. When a child is encouraged to write daily, providing him or her with a diary or journal where he can record important details will go a long way in boosting a child’s morale.

Initially, he or she will start writing for themselves alone. Then little by little they’ll start developing the confidence to start writing for other people to read and comment.

USING MODERN TECHNOLOGY
Some children might not have a pen and a notepad handy when an idea pops into their head. And by the time they come into contact with one, they might have forgotten that idea. But with the help of modern technology we can avoid this.

You can provide them with a recording device that will enable them record their ideas as it comes to them and also provide them with iPads which has some installed apps they can quickly type down their ideas and thoughts.

This will encourage them to keep writing as they record more ideas for later editing.

BE AN EXAMPLE TO THEM
Just like a saying goes, ‘Practise what you preach’, you have to be doing what you want your children to do. They see you and model some of your actions.

Your children should see you writing in order for them to also develop that interest. It’ll encourage them a lot and make them more creative. You could even organise a writing contest between you and your child for fun sake.

I hope you try these methods with your children and see how to get their creative juices running.

PRESS RELEASE ON THE 4TH EDITION OF THE RISING STAR WRITING COMPETITION AND AWARDS 2019 THEME: IT’S OK TO SAY NO

PRESS RELEASE ON THE 4TH EDITION OF THE RISING STAR WRITING COMPETITION AND AWARDS 2019 THEME: IT’S OK TO SAY NO

The Rising Star Writing Competition and Awards is an annual Creative Writing Competition for Primary and Secondary Schools Pan Nigeria.

The Competition and Awards are organized by The Writers Corner in collaboration with Vuvuzela Communication Limited to help improve children’s creative and critical thinking while developing their writing skills.

The Organizers of the RSWCA, Mr. Ike Ezugwu and Mrs. Uche Udoji

The Competition has grown since it was flagged of on the 3rd of December, 2015. It has become popular since inception as more schools and individuals have joined making the entries more competitive because more children are writing and striving to put all the writing devices to better use.

Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, being our sponsor over the years, has richly rewarded and is still rewarding the winning entries with various prizes such as laptops, tablets, phones, televisions, printers, books and certificates.

The Executive Director Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Mr. Ebuka Chukwuka to continue sponsoring the Writing Competition to promote literacy in Schools.

This year’s Theme: ITS OKAY TO SAY NO, was a well thought out and international move to inspire the children to have a voice as important individuals of society and stand up for their rights at all times against issues pertaining to all forms of pressure and abuse.

We had 655 entries of which 12 entries took the 1st ,  2nd and 3rd  places in the Secondary and Primary Categories of Poetry and Short Stories. Another 12 entries emerged as Honorary Mentions, therefore giving a total number of 24 awardees.

Some of the popular trends as seen from the entries includes but not limited to bullying, sexual related abuse, physical abuse, verbal and emotional abuses, drugs, alcohol and peer pressure.

15 entries were disqualified in this 4th Edition for various reasons such as Multiple Entries, Entries coming after the deadline of Thursday 20th June, 2019, submissions that were not original, entries with obvious adult assistance, submissions with less than 200 words for Primary Categories and less than 500 words for Secondary Categories.

RSCW Press Coordinator, Nahima

Details of the results show that:

FOR THE PRIMARY SECTION: FIRST PLACE WINNERS:  SHORT STORY WRITING – ORJI, JAYDEN Year 4, Grange School, Lagos. POETRY  – OSAHISI, FORTUNE, Year 6 Corona School   Lekki ,  Lagos. SECOND PLACE WINNERS: SHORT STORY WRITING – ADEIGBE  NIMONI Year  3   St. Saviours School., Ikoyi, Lagos. POETRY – UWANA-ABASI INYENEOBONG Livingspring School, Awoyaya, Lagos. THIRD PLACE WINNERS: SHORT STORY WRITING  – OBI, KAMDI ,  9 Years old Year 4 Unique Children’s School, Omole Phase 1 , Lagos  School, Lagos. POETRY – AKEJU OLUWAKANYINSOLA , Corona  School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mr. Ike Ezugwu, CEO Vuvuzela Communicators LTD

FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CATEGORY: FIRST PLACE WINNERS: SHORT STORY WRITING  – ONYEMA ONYINYE,  12 years old ,Grange School , Lagos. POETRY  – GALADIMA ADZIRA , SS2, Louisville Girls’ College Ijbu-Itele, Ogun State. SECOND PLACE WINNERS: SHORT STORY WRITING – ANETOR  EBHABHA   ZORA – Louisville Girls’ College, Ijebu-Itelle. POETRY – IJEOMA YVONNE CHIBUKO JSS 2, Holy Child College, Obalende, Lagos.                THIRD PLACE WINNERS: SHORT STORY WRITING – OGONI FRIEDA, Starville Secondary School, Abuja. POETRY – IDARA ENANG  12 Years old, Redeemers’ International Secondary School, Maryland, Lagos.

HONOURARY MENTIONS These are also outstanding entries worthy of mentioning: These names are in no particular order. 1.  SOGBESAN TOLUWANIMI- Flora High School, Year 10, 13 years old. 2. JOHNSON OYINDASOLA- Princeton College Surulere, Lagos, Year 9, 14 years old. 3. ABRAHAM ELOHO –Graceworth School, Lagos. 4. OKOLI DAVID – Daystar Schools, Awka Anambra, Pry 4, 9 years old. 5. UGO-OGOKE CHUKWUKANYIMA -Marywood  Girls College, Ebute Meta, Lagos, SS2, 15 years old. 6. NATHANIEL CHIMDIUTO UCHEGBUE—JECO College, Lagos, JSS3, 12 years old. 7. OBIECHE CHIBUIKE EBUBE—-Assured Hope Christian College-Ijanikin Lagos. 8.VIVICA EZIRIM—KIMBED International School, Agbara, Ogun. 9.OKAFOR  IFUNANYA- Ivy League Montessori School, Surulere Lagos. 10. BAMIDELE VICTOR- Bookers International School, SS1, 13 years old. 11. FESTUS TEMIDAYO JOSEPH- Woodland Hills High School, JSS3, 12 years old. 12. OKIKE GODSPOWER- PAFIC Excellent Nursery and Primary School, Lagos.

CEO of The Writers Corner, Mrs. Uche Udoji

We here again, thank Greenlife Pharmaceuticals for believing and working with us since inception to ensure the steady improvement of the literacy standards among schools in Nigeria. We also use this opportunity to thank all the individuals and schools that have participated in this noble competition and encourage more schools especially the government owned schools to come on board.   While thanking you for your interest and support, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, 25th September 2019 at the Award Ceremony.
Thank you! Sincerely, Uche Udoji Coordinator RSWCA /CEO of The Writers’ Corner. 07062906996