ReadWorks' longtime content partner, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is dedicated to sustaining, restoring, and enhancing the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations. Since our partnership launched, NFWF content on ReadWorks has been used by over 500,000 teachers and 3 million students nationwide.
Celebrate Earth Day with ReadWorks and NFWF passages!
Your 2nd - 8th-grade students can read about incredible animals, conservation practices, and our amazing planet in our illustration contest!
How to Enter:
Celebrate Earth Day with ReadWorks and NFWF passages!
Your 2nd - 8th-grade students can read about incredible animals, conservation practices, and our amazing planet in our illustration contest!
How to Enter:
|
|
Step 1: READ
Students should read both of the following passages before deciding which one to illustrate:
Students should read both of the following passages before deciding which one to illustrate:
5th grade
7th grade
8th grade
special education students
For students in special education programs, we encourage educators to choose the grade level that is best suited to the student.
Students may participate within their grade level OR select any contest passage from 2nd - 8th grade to submit an entry to the special education category.
This category has been created at the request of special education teachers - thank you for your feedback and for improving the experience of teachers and students nationwide!
Students may participate within their grade level OR select any contest passage from 2nd - 8th grade to submit an entry to the special education category.
This category has been created at the request of special education teachers - thank you for your feedback and for improving the experience of teachers and students nationwide!
Step 2: DRAW
Introduce the illustration contest to your students. Ensure students are choosing one of the ReadWorks passage in their grade level for their submission.
You can print this (optional) submission form to get started (download submission form here)
Introduce the illustration contest to your students. Ensure students are choosing one of the ReadWorks passage in their grade level for their submission.
You can print this (optional) submission form to get started (download submission form here)
Entries will be judged by a panel of experts on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated Understanding of Passage: Does the illustration draw upon facts covered in the passage?
- Scene: Is habitat represented in the illustration?
- Creativity and originality: Is the material thoughtfully and uniquely presented?
Step 3: SUBMIT
All illustrations must be submitted by teachers, parents, or guardians.
Review these steps to submit entries to ReadWorks:
No entries will be accepted for judging after midnight Eastern Time on April 24th, 2026.
ReadWorks has assembled a panel of judges to pick the winning illustration. All images will be judged collectively, resulting in eight winning entries, one for each grade level and one for the special education category.
Winners will be announced on May 19th, 2026. Educators will be notified of winning students via the email provided.
The ReadWorks team will announce eight winners. Each winner will be awarded a ReadWorks and NFWF merchandise package, as well as two $50 gift cards.
View last year's winners for inspiration!
All illustrations must be submitted by teachers, parents, or guardians.
Review these steps to submit entries to ReadWorks:
- Make sure to follow all guidelines presented on this page
- Submit your students’ drawings to ReadWorks (download an optional submission form for illustrations - not required)
- Teachers may submit ONE entry per student
No entries will be accepted for judging after midnight Eastern Time on April 24th, 2026.
ReadWorks has assembled a panel of judges to pick the winning illustration. All images will be judged collectively, resulting in eight winning entries, one for each grade level and one for the special education category.
Winners will be announced on May 19th, 2026. Educators will be notified of winning students via the email provided.
The ReadWorks team will announce eight winners. Each winner will be awarded a ReadWorks and NFWF merchandise package, as well as two $50 gift cards.
View last year's winners for inspiration!
Frequently Asked Questions
legal terms & RuLEs
Due to privacy and data capabilities, educators must be in the United States to participate.
Original Content: By participating in the Contest, each Participant guarantees that their submission is original, authored by them, and not encumbered by any copyright or 3rd party ownership.
Rights Granted by Contest Participants: By winning this Contest you understand and agree to submit your photo and that ReadWorks has the right, where permitted by law, to use the content and personal information for any promotional purposes without limitation and without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent.
Assignment of Rights: Student Entrant acknowledges that the Contest Entry and all other materials of every kind whatsoever created by contestant for the Contest (collectively, the “Work”) are a “work made for hire” (as that term is used in the United States Copyright Act) for ReadWorks, and assigns to ReadWorks limited rights, title and interest in and to such Work, including, without limitation, all rights of every kind and nature for all purposes, in any and all media.
Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the ReadWorks website. To read the Privacy Policy, click here.
Original Content: By participating in the Contest, each Participant guarantees that their submission is original, authored by them, and not encumbered by any copyright or 3rd party ownership.
Rights Granted by Contest Participants: By winning this Contest you understand and agree to submit your photo and that ReadWorks has the right, where permitted by law, to use the content and personal information for any promotional purposes without limitation and without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent.
Assignment of Rights: Student Entrant acknowledges that the Contest Entry and all other materials of every kind whatsoever created by contestant for the Contest (collectively, the “Work”) are a “work made for hire” (as that term is used in the United States Copyright Act) for ReadWorks, and assigns to ReadWorks limited rights, title and interest in and to such Work, including, without limitation, all rights of every kind and nature for all purposes, in any and all media.
Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the ReadWorks website. To read the Privacy Policy, click here.
Can parents/guardians participate with children?
Yes! If you would like to participate with your children, we encourage parents/guardians to submit on behalf of their children.
Can students in grade levels outside of 2nd-8th grade participate?
At this time, our contest is only for students in 2nd through 8th grade. Stay tuned for more contests in different grades!
Can we choose a different NFWF passage than those listed?
To ensure fairness in the judging process, please only submit illustrations for the selected passages above.
How will I know the status of my submission?
Winning submissions will be notified in May 2026. There will be one winner per grade 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th, as well as one winner in our special education category.
What will my student(s) receive for participating?
We encourage teachers to use this template to celebrate all students’ drawings.
Can students submit digital illustrations?
Yes! For teachers and students who prefer digital illustrations using tools like Google Drawings, Adobe, Procreate, and similar applications, please feel free to use these digital tools!
Generative AI illustrations are not accepted in the contest.
Generative AI illustrations are not accepted in the contest.
Is there a size requirement for the illustration/paper?
Typically, submissions are 8 1/2 x 11, but we will accept other sizes!
Help us create even more passages for your classroom!
As a nonprofit, we rely on the support of our generous donors to continue bringing new content, guidance, and features.
You can support our work by donating today.
You can support our work by donating today.
