Teacher's  Guide  to  the  

Think  Globally  Poetry  Contest  

"The  Power  of  Voice"

 

Celebrating International Education Week! November 12 – 16, 2012

What is International Education Week? International Education Week (IEW) is an annual week-long event that is celebrated during the third week of November by over 85 countries around the world to promote awareness of the importance of international education and its benefits to society.

From November 12 to 16, 2012, Alberta will celebrate Canada’s national IEW theme, “Canada Engages with the World: Realizing our Potential through International Education”. IEW is an opportunity for Albertans to celebrate the variety of innovative international education programs and activities that happen in our schools everyday such as student and teacher exchange programs, international school partnerships, international student programs or courses that aim to build global awareness. By adding an international element to education, we better prepare our students for future success in our global community and for the future prosperity of our province. More information on IEW can be found in the International Education Week Toolkit available at Alberta Education’s IEW website: www.intled.alberta.ca/iew. What is International Education? International education is the sum of all programs and initiatives that promote an understanding of the differences and connections between the world’s people. These programs/activities include, but are not limited to:

• student and educator exchange programs • international student programs • international school partnerships • accreditation of out-of-province schools • English as a Second Language (ESL) programs • visiting teacher and foreign language consultant programs • agreements and liaison with foreign governments

International education is a means to develop global citizenship, which equips students with the essential awareness, perspectives and skills needed in today’s world; helping to prepare them to succeed as engaged, entrepreneurial, and ethical citizens within a global context. For further information on Alberta’s international education initiatives, please contact:

International Education Services Telephone: (780) 427-2035 Email: intl.ed.sec@gov.ab.ca Website: www.intled.alberta.ca

Think Globally Poetry Contest: The Power of Voice Contest Background As international education aims to promote a global mindset within our schools, personal expression, such as through poetry, music, and media, also helps us change the way we look at ourselves and the world, using the power of language as a tool for reflection, connection, and action. Our words, our messages, carry the power of our voices, inspiring thought and change in the way we do things. In celebration of International Education Week 2012, Alberta Education invites Alberta students in Grades 5 to 12 to participate in the “Think Globally Poetry Contest: The Power of Voice” which will allow students to reflect on diversity, respect, humanity, citizenship and Alberta and Canada’s relationship with the world. The contest supports Inspiring Education and The Framework for Student Learning: Competencies for Engaged Thinkers and Ethical Citizens with an Entrepreneurial Spirit. It also supports Alberta’s Programs of Study, including:

Language Arts: Students will explore thoughts and communicate thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences represented through written, oral, or media texts.

Social Studies: Students will explore the interdependent nature of the world, broadening their global consciousness and empathy with world conditions.

Arts Education: Students will utilize art materials as a vehicle or medium for

expressing their thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences in a meaningful way.

The Contest — How Can Alberta Students Get Globally Engaged? The Think Globally Poetry Contest promotes understanding among people, cultures and languages around the world and the interdependent nature of the global community. Students are encouraged to voice their thoughts on: why Albertans and Canadians should engage and be connected with the world; how these interactions impact their communities and Alberta; and how international education supports these connections. The contest question and

criteria that follow provide guidance for students’ responses to the contest. More details about the contest criteria can be found in the “Contest Rules” section found at the end of the Guide.

Contest Question Why is it important to be connected with the world? How does international education help us get connected? Contest Criteria Contest participants must:

communicate their message in English or French use a form of creative, personal expression, such as poetry, song, and/or media,

that best demonstrates their “voice” in response to the contest question provide an original, thoughtful, and effective response to the contest question

that contains a clear message support and inform their message using effective explanation and details communicate their message and its support using effective words/language support the communication of their message using the format(s) that most

effectively expresses the words/language and “voice” in their message (e.g., the words/language may also include images, artwork, oral storytelling, media, music, etc.)

*Note: It is the communication of the message through its words/language that is primarily being evaluated in the contest, not the medium/format of expression.

Contest Information

Contest participants will be evaluated in the following three grade categories: Grades 5-6 Grades 7-9 Grades 10-12

Two contest winners (i.e. one for English entries and one for French entries) will be

selected from each grade category and awarded a prize package. Winning poetry entries will be displayed on Alberta Education’s International Education Services website and Speak Out website.

To enter a submission in the contest, entrants must complete and submit the Declaration and Official Entry Form (found at the end of the Guide). Details of the contest criteria are listed in the Contest Rules section of the Guide. Teachers/Group Leaders can photocopy these for their students or they can be downloaded from the Speak Out or IEW websites.

Notice to Teachers or Group Leaders: Please enter the poetry submission of all participants without conducting a pre-selection process. We would like to encourage as many children and youth as possible to take part in the contest.

Contest Deadline: October 29, 2012, 4:30 p.m. MST.

Contest submissions – mail to: Alberta Education International Education Services “Think Global Poetry Contest” 2nd Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard 10044 – 108 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 5E6

Contest Questions: Please contact Rania El Saadi by email at rania.elsaadi@gov.ab.ca or by telephone at (780) 644-2281.

Global Citizenship Information, Activities & Resources Suggested Activities for International Education Week

In addition to the Think Globally Poetry Contest, listed below are some suggested activities for students and schools to engage in to celebrate International Education Week:

• Research Alberta’s twins – Alberta has entered into formal “sister-province”

relationships in such countries as Mexico, China, South Korea, Ukraine, Russia and South Africa.

www.international.alberta.ca/554.cfm

• Invite a speaker to your classroom – Some post-secondary institutions in Alberta provide speakers who are international students from around the world and Canadian students with international experience. Contact the international centre at the closest post-secondary institution to you for further information. For a list of Alberta post-secondary institutions, visit: www.eae.alberta.ca/post-secondary/institutions.aspx

• The Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) is a coalition of the many

non-governmental organizations in Alberta doing important development work throughout the world. Many of these organizations have school programming and classroom speakers which build awareness and understanding and provide opportunities to get involved. www.acgc.ca

• Host a model United Nations and debate an issue which is currently in the

news. Current UNA-Canada educational programs include “What kind of World ?” which helps students envision a peaceful future and includes the “U.N. Cyber School Bus” that connects students to age appropriate global issues. www.unac.org/learn

• Can you “Change the World in Eight Steps?”

Visit www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet to see how young people are affected by the issues which are addressed in the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.

Inspiration for other activities can also be found from the teaching resource websites listed in the International Education Week Toolkit at www.inted.alberta.ca/iew.

DECLARATION

1. I, ____________________________________________(the "Entrant")

of the City/Town/Village of ________________________________, have read, understand and agree to abide by the Rules governing the Contest and certify that all information contained in the completed Official Entry Form is true and accurate.

2. I acknowledge and agree that the Poem submitted by me for the purposes of the Contest becomes the sole property of Alberta Education, including ownership of all copyright therein.

3. I agree to irrevocably and unconditionally waive in whole my moral rights in respect of the Poem and declare that this waiver shall operate in favour of Alberta Education and its assignees and licensees.

4. I verify that the Poem is my original work.

5. Any personal information about me collected for the purposes of the Contest will be stored and used only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Alberta).

6. I consent to my personal information set out in the Official Entry Form to be publicly disclosed in whole or in part for the purpose of publicizing the Contest.

___________________________ ________________________

Signature of Entrant Date

I am the parent or legal guardian of the Entrant identified on this form and I agree: (1) that the Entrant may participate in the Contest, (2) with the contents of this Declaration, and (3) that the information provided by the Entrant is accurate, complete and truthful.

___________________________ _______________________

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date

if Entrant is under the age of 18

           

Think Globally Poetry Contest: “The Power of Voice”

POEM (the “Poem”) CONTEST (the “Contest”)

 

DECLARATION

 

 

Think Globally Poetry Contest “The Power of Voice”

Official Entry Form

Student's Name (please print in block letters)

Project Title

Student's Address City

Province Postal Code Telephone No. ( )

E-mail

School's Name School's Address City

Province Postal Code Telephone No. ( )

E-mail

Think Globally Poetry Contest “The Power of Voice”

Contest Rules (the "Rules")

Eligibility: 1. Except for Alberta Education employees and their immediate family members, this contest is

open to all youth residing in Alberta, and studying in Grades 5 to 12. 2. Poetry submissions must be unpublished and original entries. Entry Information: 3. Each Entrant may only submit one unpublished poetry submission. Multiple entries will not be

accepted.

4. Poetry entries must be in English or French. 5. There must be only one author per entry. 6. Entries must communicate personal expression in response to the contest question, “Why is

it important to be connected with the world? How does international education help us get connected?”

7. Entries can be submitted in the following formats to effectively express the words/language of

the message. Words/language may include images, artwork, oral storytelling, media, or music.

8. Entries will be primarily evaluated on the communication of the message through words/language not the medium/format of the expression.

9. If submitting your poetry entry in video format, your video must be entirely your own original

creation, which includes music, artwork and other graphic images. It must not infringe upon or violate any laws or any third party rights, including, but not limited to, copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary rights and must not lead to any cause of action including libel, defamation, privacy violation, contract breach or tort. Entrants must obtain all necessary permissions, licenses, clearances, releases, waivers of moral rights and other approvals from third parties (including but not limited to all copyright holders and all individuals appearing in the video submission), necessary to use the video submission, in whole or in part, in any way, including without limitation, to reproduce, make derivatives, edit, modify, translate, distribute, transmit, publish, license and broadcast the video submission worldwide, by any means. Any and all such permissions, licenses, clearances, releases, waivers of moral rights and approvals must be attached with your video entry.

 

10. Poetry submissions must be received by Alberta Education by October 29, 2012, 4:30 p.m. MST. Please submit your entry by mail or courier to:

Alberta Education International Education Services Branch “Think Global Poetry Contest” 2nd Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard 10044 – 108 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 5E6

11. The poetry submission must be clearly labeled with your entry’s title and your name. 12. Include the required, completed Declaration and Official Entry Form with your submission. 13. If any copyright or permissions, licenses, clearances, releases, waivers of moral rights and

approvals were obtained, please enclose these with your Poetry entry. Alberta Education is not responsible for entries which are delayed, lost, misdirected, incomplete, damaged or destroyed. Any entry that is tampered with, unreadable or mutilated will not be accepted. PLEASE SEND ALBERTA EDUCATION A DUPLICATE COPY OF YOUR POETRY SUBMISSION. DO NOT SEND YOUR ONLY COPY.

14. If you require confirmation that Alberta Education has received and accepted your entry,

include your e-mail address on the completed entry form. Alberta Education will try to advise you that your entry was received.

15. For the purpose of these Rules, each properly labeled poetry submission accompanied by a

properly completed Official Entry Form shall be considered a valid entry. 16. These Rules may be changed without notice or reason including, if necessary, to comply with

any applicable law. By entering this Contest, Entrants agree to abide by these rules and acknowledge that Alberta Education shall not be responsible for any damages, costs, demands, claims or losses of any kind, incurred by any party as a result of participation in Alberta Education's Think Global Poetry Contest.

17. Any false information provided within the context of the Contest by any Entrant concerning

information provided in the Official Entry Form, ownership of right or non-compliance with the rules or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the Entrant from the Contest.

18. This Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with these Rules, the laws of

the Province of Alberta and any applicable federal laws. These Rules govern all aspects of the Contest and are binding on all Entrants and all other parties including parents and legal guardians, who sign the Declaration or Official Entry Form.

General Information: 19. Contest entries will be evaluated in the following three grade categories: Grades 5-6;

Grades 7-9; and Grades 10-12.

20. Two contest winners (i.e. one for English entries and one for French entries) will be selected from each grade category and awarded a prize package.  

 21. Alberta Education may contact Entrants of winning entries to obtain a photograph of the

Entrant, without further compensation, for use in any Alberta Education advertisement, publication or promotion, for general news or other information purposes.

22. The chances of winning a prize depend on the total number and quality of eligible entries received prior to the closing date.

23. Alberta Education reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest for

any reason, without any prior notice to any Entrant. Selection of Awards: 24. All incoming entries will be judged by a panel of judges chosen by Alberta Education. 25. Decisions on all matters relating to the Contest are final and not open to dispute. 26. Entries will be judged on originality and effectiveness of the message. 27. Each Entrant who has submitted a winning entry will be notified by telephone or email that

their entry has won and informed of the procedure to follow to claim the applicable prize. If an Entrant declines the prize, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to another.

28. If Alberta Education does not receive entries of sufficient quantity or quality, Alberta

Education reserves the right not to award any prizes. 29. Top selected poetry entries will be posted on the International Education Services and Speak

Out websites, and be used during Alberta’s International Education Week initiatives.