As part of Just Read, Florida, a statewide literacy initiative, students in Florida are invited on a “Journey into the Land of Narnia.”
Just Read, Florida, launched by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2001, strives to get all Florida students reading at or above grade level by 2012. Evidence of its continuing success is in recent Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test results showing record highs in reading proficiency statewide.
Teaming up with Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, and scheduled to correspond with the Dec. 9 release of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” the reading in the arts contest is looking for the best essays, poster art and short videos from the states best and brightest students.
The book, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” was first published more than 50 years ago and is part of a seven-part series by C.S Lewis known as the “Narnia Chronicles.” The story introduces readers to four English schoolchildren who find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia. They help Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch, who has cursed the land with eternal winter.
The contest is open to all students in grades 3-12 in private, public and home schooled.
Elementary School (grades 3-5) Essay Contest
* Only one entry per student is allowed
* Essay must be 1,000 words or less
* Entries to be based on the book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis wherein the participant would respond to the following question: “If you had the opportunity to become a character in the story, which character would you be and how would it change the ending of the story?”
* Submission must have a title, student’s name, phone number, grade level, school, teacher’s name and word count written on the cover page of the entry. Entries not having ALL of this information will automatically disqualified.
Submit entries, no later than 5 p.m. (EST) Nov. 25, to:
Just Read, Florida!
Attn: Caroly Vega
325 W. Gaines, St., Suite 1548
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Middle School (6-8) Illustration Contest
* Only one entry per student is allowed
* The medium for the artwork can be pen-and-ink, pencil, colored pencil, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, or mixed media. Medium to heavyweight art paper is recommended. The minimum size is 8 ½ by 11-inches, and the maximum is 24 by 30-inches. Only 2-D artwork will be accepted and all work must be an original creation.
* Artwork is to be based on any character(s), place or scene from the book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis
* Submissions must include a title, student’s name, phone number, grade level, school, and teacher’s name written on the back of the entry. Entries not having ALL of this information will automatically disqualified.
Submit entries, no later than 5 p.m. (EST) Nov. 25, to:
Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Attn: Arlene Wites
1799 SE 17th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
High School (grades 9-12) Short Video Contest
* Teams of one to three members may enter
* Only one entry per student/team allowed
* Film may be seven minutes or less
* Entries must be in VHS, DV Cam, Mini DV or DVD format only
* All entries must include a musical score that can be original
* Entries are to be based on a re-enactment of any chapter or segment of a chapter from the book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis
* Submission must be accompanied by a document providing a title, student’s name(s), phone number, grade level, school, teacher’s name, and length of the film. Entries not having ALL of this information will automatically disqualified.
Submit entries, no later than 5 p.m. (EST) Nov. 25, to:
Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment
Attn: Niki Welge
The Capitol Suite 2001
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Prizes
Winner(s) and/or their teacher in each division receive:
* Private movie screening of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” in Orlando, Fla.
* Three days/two nights stay in Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort
* Dinner at Medieval Times
* Book autographed by Gov. Bush and First Lady Columba Bush
* Simon Mall gift certificate
* Bookseller gift certificate from Borders Books & Music, Books-A-Million or Barnes & Noble
* Starbucks gift certificate
* And much, much more!
For more information contact Just Read, Florida! at (850) 245-0503, online at JustRead@fldoe.org, or by mail at 325 W. Gaines St., Suite 1548, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The fax number is (850) 245-9530.
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