Institute for Professional Writing, October 5, December 7, & February 8, 2010
The National Writing Project at Rutgers University supports the principle that teachers of writing should write. This institute highlights the value of teachers writing about their practice, creating the time and support for this work. Writing from educators finds its way into local, regional, and national publications, making visible the beliefs and practices of teachers to a broad audience of fellow educators, legislators, and policymakers. The Institute for Professional Writing employs a model that has proven particularly successful in supporting teachers in writing about their practice. Through participation in this series, teacher-consultants and teacher-leaders return to their schools and classrooms with a new understanding of the importance of this kind of writing and with insights to help them model the process of taking a thoughtful stance on important educational issues.
This institute is designed for educators who have a professional writing goal in mind. Over the course of this three-part series, participants will engage in thoughtful discussion of the aspects of professional articles, share drafts in progress, learn tips and techniques for editing, incorporating research, and writing queries, and learn from those who have been successful with their publication endeavors. Between sessions, participants will give and receive virtual feedback as they continue their work in progress.
The institute is open to all NWP Teacher Consultants. TCs who register may sponsor a colleague to attend.* Please check your calendar. It is important that participants commit to the complete three-session series. Upon completion of the institute, participants will be issued 15 professional development hours.
Kirkridge Writing Retreat 2010
This July, Teacher Consultants from the National Writing Project at Rutgers University made their third visit to the Farmhouse at the Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center in Bangor, PA.
Participants recorded portions of their work in progress at the end of the retreat. Kristy Lauricella, our retreat facilitator, prepared opening and closing segments so that listeners can have a glimpse of our mission and the ambience of our location. There’s even an overview of an excellent writing exercise shared by visiting writer Porochista Khakpour, author of Sons and Other Flammable Objects.
We hope you feel as inspired by listening to the podcast as we did when we spent four days in the Poconos working toward our writing goals.
http://www.sarabauerpages.com/sarahome/podcasts/Entries/2010/7/16_kirkridge2010.html
NWP @ Rutgers Newsletter: March 2010, Volume 1, Issue 3
The NWP@Rutgers newsletter has transitioned from an email to authentic newsletter format! Please download the attached PDF to view.
National Writing Project @ Rutgers University
The National Writing Project (NWP) is a professional development network that serves teachers of writing at all grade levels, primary through university, and in all subjects. The mission of NWP is to raise student achievement by improving the teaching of writing in our nation’s schools.
Corned Beef 'n Verbiage Writing Circle Event
Around St. Patrick’s Day, teacher consultants with The National Writing Project at Rutgers gather to share good food and write together. This year, Carmen prompted us to write about a food memory or a cultural experience with food. How do you and your family celebrate your heritage with food? This question can lead to some richly detailed writing. Try it in your classroom and see what happens. The examples here were drafted, read, revised and recorded in about one hour. It doesn’t take too much time to have a valuable writing experience and share something of yourself with others.
Writing Retreat for NWP Rutgers Teacher Consultants, July 8 - 11, 2010
As a Teacher Consultant with the National Writing Project, you have made a commitment to pursue personalized writing goals. You have revolutionized your approach to the teaching of writing. During presentations to colleagues, you have affirmed the power of establishing a writing practice. Yet personal and professional obligations often interfere with our best intentions.
Writing retreats provide time to re-establish our identity as writers, share our works-in-progress, and receive helpful feedback – all in a relaxing environment away from our busy workplaces and households.
Please join us for our sixth writing retreat. Take time out to make progress on the writing project of your choice. The retreat fee of $275 includes a three-night stay at the Kirkridge Retreat Center, seven meals prepared on-site, and unlimited use of Retreat Center grounds. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 will reserve your place at the retreat. A balance of $250 is due no later than May 15th.
*** Please download the brochure. ***
Winter’s End Professional Development Day, March 27, 2010
Winter’s End Professional Development Day
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Busch Campus Center
604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
This free professional development day is only for registrants from the Midwinter Writing Conference X held on February 6, 2010. Registrants will receive an invitation via email and must RSVP by Sunday, March 20.
Check-In/Exhibits 8:00am - 8:45am
SESSION 1 9:00am - 10:30am
Break/Exhibits 10:30am - 11:00 am
SESSION 2: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Lunch/Exhibits 12:30pm - 1:30 pm
Attendees may bring a lunch or purchase lunch from one of the five vendors in the Campus Center (Moe's Southwest Grill, Burger King, Gerlanda's Pizza & Deli, Szechwan Express, Gerlanda's Coffee).
SESSION 3: 1:30pm-3:00pm
Certificates of Participation will be distributed, and evaluation forms collected in the International Lounge after the last session.
SESSION 1 9:00am - 10:30am
Midwinter Writing Conference X Handouts
Please also check our upcoming programs:
- Tech Tuesday, March - May 2010
- Invitational Summer Institute, July 2010
- Brown Bag Saturdays, March 20th & April 17th, 2010
- Open Institute, July 12-16, 2010
Invitational Summer Institute, July 2010
The Invitational Summer Institute is a four-week professional development experience that prompts teachers to explore their own writing practices as a means of improving their writing instruction. Upon completion of the Institute, participants become Teacher Consultants who continue to grow as writers and teachers of writing through various site activities.
Opportunities for continued professional development include writing circles and annual retreats, conferences and receptions, and electronic conversation with colleagues. Our expanding site also offers leadership opportunities for Teacher Consultants.
Each February we host a Midwinter Writing Conference that includes concurrent presentations of our teacher consultants as well as the keynote presentation of a national leader in the area of writing.
*** Download the brochure to learn more about this program. ***
Midwinter Make Up PD Day SAVE THE DATE
Piscataway, NJ 08854
NWP@Rutgers Midwinter Conference Follow Up
2/6 Writing Conference: WEATHER INFORMATION
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we have worked to make arrangements concerning the threatening weather.
With so many of our conference registrants traveling from throughout and outside the state of New Jersey, our chief concern is encouraging everyone to examine and evaluate the weather in your individual location before traveling anywhere tonight or tomorrow.
Whether or not the conference will continue to be held will be determined by Rutgers University officials. If the New Brunswick Campus is closed, the conference is cancelled.
If the New Brunswick Campus remains open the morning of the conference, the conference will run as scheduled and no refunds will be issued to registrants who fail to attend.
Tech Tuesday, March - May 2010
The National Writing Project at Rutgers University will be offering a series of interactive, hands-on workshops exploring the use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Workshops will provide both tutorial and time to “play” with the technology and explore the possibilities of use within your classroom. Participants are encouraged to bring classroom materials. Computers will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own personal laptops (with wireless access) if they choose. Beginners to experienced users are welcome.
Brown Bag Saturdays, March 20 & April 17, 2010
The National Writing Project at Rutgers University will be offering two interactive, hands-on workshops that explore effective practices in the teaching of writing. Workshops will provide research, theory, and time to “apply” strategies as you explore the possibilities of use within your own classroom. Participants are encouraged to bring classroom materials, student samples, ideas, and areas of “tension” you would like to explore during the workshop.
NWP @ Rutgers Newsletter: January 2010, Volume 1, Issue 2
The NWP@Rutgers newsletter has transitioned from an email to authentic newsletter format! Please download the attached PDF to view.
Dr. Lesley Morrow to present at the National Writing Project at Rutgers Annual Midwinter Writing Conference X
We are excited to let you know that there has been a suprise addition to the National Writing Project at Rutgers Annual Midwinter Writing Conference X!
Dr. Lesley Morrow, Professor and Chair of the Department of Learning and Teaching at Rutgers Graduate School of Education, will be offering an open Lunch and Learn session during the mid-day break entitled "Samples of Great Writing From Classrooms" in which she will share a collection of wonderful samples of writing in the classroom from kindergarten through high school. An informal session with Q & A will follow.
Please join us for Dr. Morrow's unique session and our many other exciting workshops on the enhancement of writing instruction for all students on Saturday, February 6, 2010.
Click here to view the program and registration details: Click here for event summary
Midwinter Writing Conference X
National Writing Project
Midwinter Writing Conference X
Saturday, February 6, 2010 * * * 9 am - 4 pm, registration begins at 8 am
Keynote Address:
The Habitual Surprise Party: Poetry in the Classroom
by BJ Ward, Poet and Author of Gravedigger’s Birthday
Over 20 practical workshops, six professional development hours earned
Workshop descriptions & online registration available at: www.gse.rutgers.edu/conferences
Open Institute, July 12-16, 2010
NWP@Rutgers Open Institute
July 12-16, 2010
New Brunswick, NJ
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Monday- Thursday), 9:00-12:00p.m. (Friday)
Cost: $350
The National Writing Project at Rutgers Open Institute is a five-day professional development experience designed to move teachers through a process of self-awareness as a writer into self-awareness as a teacher of writing. Critical to this process is reflection on one’s own experience as a writer. Participants will write, frequently! Teachers from all disciplines and grade levels are welcome to participate. The experience is enriched when teachers across grades and subject areas write together and share their writing.
The Open Institute will assist you to:
Vintage Texts, Novel Voices: Responding to Literature via Wikis, Podcasts and Discussion Boards
NWP Rutgers Teacher Consultants Joy Mazur, Kristy Lauricella, and Sara Bauer to present at the National Council of Teachers of English 2009 annual convention in Philadelphia, PA on Friday 9:30-10:45 in Room 204B.
http://ncte2008.ning.com/
When students respond to literature with the expectation that their words and ideas will reach an authentic audience, the act of composition becomes complex and rewarding. In this session, three instructors share how they frame reading assignments and shape writing projects that call upon students to strengthen their writers' voices.
Second Annual Writing Retreat in Review
This July, the National Writing Project at Rutgers University held its second annual writing retreat at Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center. Situated in the Pocono Mountains just north of the Delaware Water Gap, Kirkridge has everything writers hope for: tranquility, healthy meals, and several indoor and outdoor locations for conversation and sharing. This year, Kristy Lauricella served as our retreat facilitator. She added many thoughtful touches to our retreat program, including an opening-night reading and talk by author Rebecca Donner.
