DO THE WRITE THING C/O BLAKELY & WEEKS-THOME PLLC

THE TEXAS DO THE WRITE THING CHALLENGE IS BOTH AN EDUCATIONAL AND A YOUTH ANTI-VIOLENCE/ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED IN SCHOOLS AS A CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENT. IT IS A WRITING COMPETITION DIRECTED TO 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO ARE ASKED TO EXAMINE THE EFFECT VIOLENCE HAS HAD ON THEM, DETERMINE THE CAUSES, AND PROPOSE SOLUTIONS. THE LESSON PLAN (UPDATED ANNUALLY FROM REAL-LIFE SCENARIOS) PROVIDES FOR CLASSROOM DISCUSSION BEFORE WRITING BEGINS. IT IS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE CRITICAL THINKING AND FOSTER A SENSE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. EACH CHILD WHO WRITES RECEIVES A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION. MORE THAN 30,000 STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 15 SCHOOLS IN NINE METROPOLITAN AREAS IN TEXAS SUBMITTED PAPERS, WITH MANY MORE PARTICIPATING IN CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS. VOLUNTEER READERS FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS EVALUATE EACH MANUSCRIPT AND SELECT A BOY AND GIRL FROM EACH SCHOOL AS A "SCHOOL FINALIST". RECOGNITION CEREMONIES ARE CONDUCTED IN EACH SITE TO HONOR THESE STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS AND SUPERINTENDENTS. FROM THE FINALISTS, ONE BOY AND ONE GIRL FROM EACH METROPOLITAN AREA ARE SELECTED AS "NATIONAL FINALISTS". THESE STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO CONVENE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE RECOGNITION WEEK IN WASHINGTON DC. EVENTS OF THE WEEK INCLUDE PARTICIPATING IN WORKSHOPS WHERE THEY SHARE THEIR IDEAS ABOUT ANTI-VIOLENCE AND ANTI-BULLYING WITH OTHER NATIONAL FINALISTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. A COMPILATION OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL FINALISTS' WRITINGS ARE PRESENTED TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.