Instructions and Tips

Remember the theme: "Marshy Migrations: Journeys of a Lifetime"
Once you have your idea or main theme, create an outline for your story and include all of the points that you want to make. At the end of your story, readers should be able to answer at least one of the following questions:

• What animals migrate? Think outside the bird-box!
• Why do these animals make these seasonal trips?
• What will these wayfaring critters need along the way?
• What do these animals need to watch out for?
• What role do wetlands play in these journeys of a lifetime? (all stories should be able to answer this)

Be creative!
You don’t have to say “A wetland is…” Let the story speak for itself.

• For example, if young Crusty the Crab hides from hungry Billy the Bass in a grassy marsh, then readers will get the idea that wetlands function as safe nurseries for young animals.

Remember your Audience!
Your book should be geared toward ages 5-9. Use words that are simple enough for readers at that level to get the idea, but don’t be afraid to introduce some challenging new vocabulary to keep them interested.

• If you know anyone that age, think of what kind of story they would enjoy. For the youngest ones, you may even want to consider what their parents would enjoy, as they are often the ones reading the stories to their children.

Format
Your story must be submitted on 8.5” x 11” paper, typed, double spaced, with one-inch margins

• Please show us where your page breaks are by inserting a line, extra spaces, or the words “PAGE BREAK.”
• The final book will have 16 pages of text. Each page should have between 20 and 40 words

Edit
Be sure to proofread your story for spelling, grammar, and factual errors

• To make sure you get your wetland facts straight, do your research. Online, a good place to start is at www.wetland.org/
• If you have any wetland questions along the way, contact a member of our Education Department at (410)745-9620 or intern-educate@wetland.org

Dont Forget...
a fun, catchy title for your story!

Deadline
all entries must be received by April 1st, 2008

Does my story have a theme related to “Marshy Migrations: Jouneys of a Lifetime ”?
Is my story original and creative?
Is the story title catchy and fitting?
Does my story answer at least one of the key questions?
Will readers learn something new from my story?
Is my story appropriate for ages 5-9? (Will children that age understand it? Will it keep them interested?)
Is my story free of spelling, grammar, and factual errors?
Did I type my story double spaced on an 8.5” x 11” paper, with 1” margins, and page numbers labeled?
Did I indicate where each new page begins with an appropriate page break?
Does each page of the story have 20-40 words?
Did I learn something new during this process?
Will my story make it to Environmental Concern by April 1st???

Submit

Deadline for submissions:
All stories must be received no later than April 1, 2008*

Include:
Story entry (see format above) with: Name, Address, Teacher's Name, School Address, and Contact Phone # or Email Address.

By mail:
Environmental Concern
c/o Write On! Wetlands Challenge
PO Box P
St. Michaels, MD 21663

Save a tree! E-mail: intern-educate@wetland.org. (send story as an attachment)

*Once submitted, all entries will be considered property of Environmental Concern and will not be returned. E.C. reserves the right to edit the winning manuscript for length, spelling, grammar, etc.