At 826 National, we know writing is a key that unlocks possibilities, opens doors to our imagination, and challenges us to grow. That’s why we’re urging everyone — students, educators, and aspiring authors — to join us as we celebrate the new year and the love of writing with our new 826 Digital campaign: The Write Start Challenge.
Whether you reflect on your most memorable moments of 2019 or write about the impact labels have had on your life, 20 minutes a day is all you need to Start 2020 right — or as we say at 826, “Start 2020 Write”!
THE CHALLENGE
Each weekday beginning Monday, January 6 and throughout the month, 826 Digital will share one writing prompt — 20 prompts, 20 minutes of writing a day. The Write Start Challenge is recommended for grades 4-12, although all grade levels and writers are welcome to participate. Whether you begin today or next week, it’s never too late to start!
WRITING PROMPTS
The prompts are organized according to weekly themes: reflection, magic-making, connection, and creativity. Check out the full calendar and a complete list of prompts in our Write Start Challenge Guide. Want to see the fun we’re kicking things off with? Here’s the first prompt:
Put a self-reflective lens on Letters Undelivered by having students write letters to their future selves. What do students want to accomplish in the next year? Where do they think they’ll be? What will be different? What will be the same?
THE WRITE START CHALLENGE GUIDE
The Write Start Challenge Guide contains everything you need to complete the Write Start Challenge. Use the links in the guide to dive deep into each prompt. Adjust the prompts to meet your level of writing using the suggested adaptations listed throughout the guide. And best of all, track your progress throughout the month with the blank calendar provided in the guide. Once you complete the final prompt of the challenge, Monster Scattergories, celebrate with warm Yeti hugs or Hulk smash high fives! Whether you stick to the prompts each day, use the themes as guides for free-writing, or come up with your own ideas, all that matters is you start the year “the write” way.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Everyone has a voice to share, and this year, we urge you to not let a day go by without using yours! Share a favorite piece or line of writing from the challenge with us using #WriteStartChallenge. If you’re sharing student work, be sure you have permission to post it publicly. With the new year, take control of your narrative by writing a new beginning with us. Complete all 20 prompts or just a few — the adventure is yours to write.
