The IBMA has issued a reminder of the Nov. 30 deadline to receive entries in its annual contest to select an educational lesson plan that utilizes bluegrass music.

The plan can be incorporated into any subject and for any grade from kindergarten through grade 12. The contest is aimed at school teachers, home-school parents and college students majoring in education.

“The competition is designed to encourage and reward the creation of instructional units at all grade levels that will expose students to the sounds and the analysis of bluegrass music,” according to a Foundation press release. “Lesson plans are judged by a team of experienced teachers familiar with the genre, with the aim of honoring plans that deliver high quality instruction in an interesting way, while conforming to educational standards nation-wide and also being easily adaptable by other teachers who may or may not be familiar with the genre.”

The first-place winner will receive $750 and a cruise ticket for two on Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike’s bluegrass cruise in January 2010. The top winner will also be invited to present the plan onboard the cruise for bluegrass industry reps and fans and also at a professional development workshop.

The second-place winner will receive $500 and the third-place lesson plan author will receive $350. Additional plans may be noted as “Honorable Mention.”

All award recipients will be honored with plaques during the IBMA Special Awards Luncheon at the 2009 World of Bluegrass in Nashville, Tenn.

The top lesson plans will be posted on IBMA’s Web site for use by teachers and home schooling parents around the world.

Judges review lesson plans in December and January, and winners are announced Feb. 1.

Complete details and an entry form can be found at the IBMA web site.