“Less Stuff, More Heart” Student Writing Lesson

Students will read and respond to Christopher Zumski Finke’s article, “Less Stuff, More Heart: 5 Gifts On a New Dad’s Christmas List.”In this article, Zumski Finke acknowledges that one way people connect is to exchange gifts—it’s a way to show our appreciation for one another. Magazine article by Christopher Zumski Finke, “Less Stuff, More Heart: 5 Gifts On a New Dad’s Christmas List.”Writing Prompt:Imagine you’re about to celebrate a special holiday, milestone, or birthday. Writing GuidelinesThe writing guidelines below are intended to be just that—a guide. Evaluation RubricSample EssaysThe essays below were selected as winners for the Winter 2018 Student Writing Competition. The ideas, structure, and writing style of these essays may provide inspiration for your own students’ writing—and an excellent platform for analysis and discussion.