The
Battle of Plattsburgh Association and Adirondack Bank, in cooperation
with the North Country Teacher Resource Center, are sponsoring an
essay contest to explore local history and this critical battle of
the War of 1812. The contest is open to students in grades 4-12.
Prizes will be awarded in each of three grade levels: 4-5, 6-8, and
9-12. Each grade level will be awarded three prizes as follows:
1st
prize - $200 2nd prize - $100 3rd prize - $50
How
to enter:
All entries must be
submitted to the Battle of Plattsburgh Association between March 3,
2014 and May 16, 2014. They can be dropped off or mailed to:
Battle of Plattsburgh
Association or NCTRC
31 Washington
Rd Room 320 Sibley Hall
Plattsburgh NY
12903 101 Broad St
Plattsburgh NY
12901
Please retain a copy
for yourself, entries will not be returned. The following guidelines
should be used for your entry:
- Do not put your name, grade, or school on the essay. Identifying information should only be on the submission form. This allows for impartial judging.
- Submissions should be easily read. It is strongly recommended that you type your entry using a 12-point font, single spaced. Hand written entries are accepted.
- Adhere to the contest directions. Entries not following the directions will not be
considered for prizes.
Winners will be
notified by June 7, 2014 and the awards reception is scheduled for
June 14, 2014. The scoring scale used by the judges is based on the
New York State Standards and will reflect the scoring rubrics used
for Social Studies and ELA assessments.
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For
grades 4-8: Using the genre of an essay or a journal entry, assume
the role of someone living during the War or 1812.
Historical
Context:
In
September of 1814, the largest invasion in our nation’s history
took place. It started when Sir George Prevost crossed the Canadian
border into the town of Champlain, NY, with several thousand British
troops and would end when the United States forces won the Battle of
Plattsburgh on September 11, 1814.
Task:
Discuss
how a young person living at the time might have reacted to the
events of the day. You can also assume the role of a young person
living in the Champlain Valley or with the British invasion force and
write as though you yourself were living through it. Your essay needs
to show evidence of some historical research. Some suggested
topics and ideas:
- Drummer boy in the American militia
- Member of Aiken’s volunteers
- Daughter or son of a family living in Plattsburgh or a surrounding village
- Powder monkey for the British Navy
- Wife, mother, or daughter marching with the army
- Farmer living along the routes taken by the British and American forces
Guidelines:
- Incorporate historically accurate information
- Support your theme with relevant facts and examples
- Use a logical and clear progression of events
- Introduce your theme creatively, do more than just restate the topic
- Incorporate appropriate language
- Be attentive to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar usage.
- Conclude your essay or journal entry with a summation of your theme
Essays
should not exceed 2 pages of 12-point font, single space, or 3 pages
handwritten.
Questions should be
directed to:
Mal Cutaiar at (518)
570-7877 or malanne.cutaiar@verizon.net
David Deno at (518) 566
- 1814 or manager@battleofplattsburgh.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++
For
grades 9-12: Write a research-based essay or a series of journal
entries describing events surrounding or assuming the role of someone
living during the War of 1812.
Historical
Context:
In
September of 1814, after over 2 years of war, the largest invasion in
our nation’s history took place. It started when Sir George Prevost
crossed the Canadian border into the town of Champlain, NY, with
several thousand British troops and would end when the United States
forces won the Battle of Plattsburgh on September 11, 1814.
Task:
Discuss
how a young person living in the Champlain Valley or with the British
invasion force at the time might have reacted to the events of the
day. You can also assume the role of a young person living at that
time and write as though you yourself were living through it. Some
suggested topics and ideas:
- African Americans in the Champlain valley during the War of 1812
- The life of an officer from either side and the events they took part in
- Living conditions at Pike’s Cantonment
- Murray’s Raid
- A soldier’s life or camp life
- What Plattsburgh and the surrounding area was like in 1812
- The history of a ship involved in the battle in Cumberland Bay
- Women’s roles at this time in history and how they might have affected events
Guidelines:
- Incorporate historically accurate information and cite the sources
- Support your thesis with relevant facts and examples
- Use a logical and clear progression of events
- Introduce your thesis creatively, do more than just restate the topic
- Incorporate appropriate language
- Be attentive to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar usage.
- Conclude your essay or journal entry with a summation of your theme
Essays
should not exceed 3-5 pages of 12-point font, double-spaced using
accepted documentation styles with a minimum of 3-5 sources for
research papers.
Questions should be
directed to:
Mal Cutaiar at (518)
570-7877 or malanne.cutaiar@verizon.net
David Deno at (518) 566
- 1814 or mamager@battleofplattsburgh.org