Giving Primary School aged children the voice they deserve
After another hugely successful year, the Learn2Think Young Journalist Prize returns, offering a wonderful opportunity for 8-11yr olds to engage in non-fiction writing, practice asking questions, and communicate about issues that are important to them.
Download a lesson plan here to introduce this year's competition to your class. Click journo_prize_worksheet21_22.docx for accompanying worksheet.
In 2021, our theme is Climate Change- children have so much to contribute on this critical issue and we want to give their voices the platform they deserve.
2020's competition saw children aged 8-11yrs interview people with opposing views on topics as wide ranging as whether we need the Army, Scottish Independence and gender politics.
Entries will be judged by the Chair of the Learn2Think Foundation, the CEO of SAPERE and a Channel 4 news producer. The overall winner will receive a Chromebook laptop or similar, for themselves or their school. Runners- up prizes include a Kindle, book vouchers and a free author visit/workshop from the Learn2Think Foundation.
The deadline is Tuesday 30th November 2021 and winners will be announced in late January 2022.
Please send entries to: Learn2thinkfoundation@gmail.com or to 39a Princess Road London NW1 8JS.
THE CHALLENGE
Topic:
Matters to you; is important to lots of people (or should be!); is something you believe more people need to know about
Voice: Your own voice (not your parents or teachers). Uses your own words; don’t make it sound like a homework assignment; make it original, moving and persuasive – good journalism can change people’s minds and gets them to take action
Reasoning: Is thoughtful; encourages debate; is not one-sided
Interview: Good quality questioning; plan your questions in advance and make sure they are relevant and challenging; you don’t need to include the full interview, just pick the most useful bits and make sure you use at least one quote; try and surprise us with who you choose
Research: Breadth; showing your sources; remember that while a strong argument is important, so are facts show us yours are from a credible source - If you are claiming something as fact or quoting someone else, show us how you found it out. Writing about a government report? Link to it. Quoting the prime minister? Link to the source. Referring to old news stories? Find the link
Download a lesson plan here to introduce this year's competition to your class. Click journo_prize_worksheet21_22.docx for accompanying worksheet.
In 2021, our theme is Climate Change- children have so much to contribute on this critical issue and we want to give their voices the platform they deserve.
2020's competition saw children aged 8-11yrs interview people with opposing views on topics as wide ranging as whether we need the Army, Scottish Independence and gender politics.
Entries will be judged by the Chair of the Learn2Think Foundation, the CEO of SAPERE and a Channel 4 news producer. The overall winner will receive a Chromebook laptop or similar, for themselves or their school. Runners- up prizes include a Kindle, book vouchers and a free author visit/workshop from the Learn2Think Foundation.
The deadline is Tuesday 30th November 2021 and winners will be announced in late January 2022.
Please send entries to: Learn2thinkfoundation@gmail.com or to 39a Princess Road London NW1 8JS.
THE CHALLENGE
- We would like to see either;
- a written article of up to 500 words (but less is also fine)
- a 3-4 minute podcast (check out apps such as Anchor)
- it must include at least 2 credible sources and quotes from at least one interview (include who the person is and why you chose to interview them)
Topic:
Matters to you; is important to lots of people (or should be!); is something you believe more people need to know about
Voice: Your own voice (not your parents or teachers). Uses your own words; don’t make it sound like a homework assignment; make it original, moving and persuasive – good journalism can change people’s minds and gets them to take action
Reasoning: Is thoughtful; encourages debate; is not one-sided
Interview: Good quality questioning; plan your questions in advance and make sure they are relevant and challenging; you don’t need to include the full interview, just pick the most useful bits and make sure you use at least one quote; try and surprise us with who you choose
Research: Breadth; showing your sources; remember that while a strong argument is important, so are facts show us yours are from a credible source - If you are claiming something as fact or quoting someone else, show us how you found it out. Writing about a government report? Link to it. Quoting the prime minister? Link to the source. Referring to old news stories? Find the link