YAWP! is a collaboration between The Connell School and local high schools to produce a collection of essays written by Alabama students.

Together, CSW staff and the school/classroom teacher develop a topic or theme for students to write about. The topic may be directly or peripherally connected to the teacher’s course curriculum and can work with any subject. An English/Language Arts class may want to explore a theme in literature; a Science class may want to document their personal relationship with the environment; a Math class may want to reflect on how theories of Calculus show up in their daily lives. The goal is to create space where students can use critical thinking and writing to deepen their understanding and develop personal perspectives on a topic. 

Over the course of 8 sessions students will engage in standards-based writing lessons around the given topic. Critical thinking and writing activities will allow students to: personally connect to the theme/topic; develop, share, and debate complex opinions and positions; and compose original essays and arguments around the topic. 

Following the in-class sessions, CSW will take care of producing and publishing student work in a professionally designed book. Every student will receive a copy of the book! 

Benefits for Students: 

• Devoted class time for writing instruction

• Hone critical thinking and writing skills

• Learn how to develop personal opinions and experiences into scholarly positions

• Build confidence in writing

• Feel prepared for college level writing courses

• Learn how the publishing process works by becoming published writers!

Benefits for Schools/Districts: 

• Increase students’ writing skills toward school/district goals

• Elevate student voices through the publishing process

• Use finished book to demonstrate student achievement