RRVWP Events & Opportunities

NDEA Instructional Conference Exhibits. October 21-22, 2009, at the Grand Forks Alerus Center. The Red River Valley Writing Project (Grand Forks) and the Northern Plains Writing Project (Minot) will have a booth at NDEA again this year. Stop by for information on either site and to chat with a writing project teacher. Volunteers Needed: RRVWP TCs willing to help staff the booth on Thursday (October 22) from 12:00-4:00 should contact Pam Fisher at pam.fisher@gfschools.org

TCs, do you ning? The RRVWP began its own ning (social/professional networking site) earlier this summer. Members, check in regularly for the latest buzz. Not a member yet? Contact Nancy Devine at nancy.devine@gfschools.org

RRVWP Book Clubs

Book Club. New TCs welcome. For more information contact Carmyn Juntunen, facilitator, at carmyn.juntunen@gfschools.org

•Rescheduled: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. Meeting Time & Location:
November 3, 2009, at 6 PM, at the Pita Pit on S. Washington.

•December Selection: TBA

Professional Readings Study Group. New TCs welcome. For more information contact Brandy Pihlgren, facilitator: brandy.pihlgren@gfschools.org

•On Hold: The Power of Picture Books: Using Content Area Literature in Middle School, by Mary Jo Fresch and Peggy Harkins. (Focus on Grades 5-8). Likely rescheduled for one of the spring selections.

•December/January Selection:
After the End: Teaching & Learning Creative Revision. We will read the book in two parts with discussions on December 6, 2009, 3 PM & January 10, 2010, 3 PM. Both discussions will be held at the UND Bookstore conference room. Contact Brandy Pihlgren by October 27 if you wish to participate. Also indicate if you need a copy of the book.

National Writing Project Events & Reports

National Writing Project Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. November 19-21, 2009.

NWP 2008 Annual Report. The 2008 Annual Report features NWP teacher-leaders with expertise in both subject matter and technology and an understanding of how each augments the other to inspire learning in the classroom.

The report demonstrates how NWP teachers are using their knowledge to strengthen student achievement and to help their teaching colleagues meet the increasing demands and emerging opportunities of digital literacy. http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/doc/about/annual_reports.csp

Online Events & Opportunities

National Writing Project's Gallery of Writing. Read a rotating selection of the more than 7,000 submissions to the 2009 E-Anthology, NWP's online environment where teachers explore digital writing in NWP summer institutes. http://galleryofwriting.org/galleries/national_writing_project_gallery

News Links

Teachers are the Center of Education: Profiles of Eight Teachers.
Publication: Charleston Gazette
Date: October 17, 2009

Summary: A new report, Teachers Are the Center of Education: Profiles of Eight Teachers, describes several accomplished teachers, including Seth Mitchell, a technology liaison with the Maine Writing Project.

Summer Insitute
2010 for Teachers

On Teaching Writing.
On Using Writing to Learn.
All Content Areas.
All Grades.
4 grad credits.
Tuition Reimbursed.
Interested?

For Information contact Jessica Zerr

The RRVWP Summer Institutes:
Not Just for English Teachers

Fred Strand, a math teacher
from Hatton, North Dakota, was part
of the 2008 Summer Institute. Here's
what he had to say about the
RRVWP's Summer Institute and the
encouragement he received to
present his teaching demo "Writing
in the Mathematics Classroom"
at the North Dakota Education Association's Conference :

Now, I am thanking you guys
(all of you at the RRVWP)
for the encouragement given to
me to use writing in my classroom. 
And, then to encourage me to
present my demo to an outside
audience [at NDEA].  What a great opportunity for me to grow as a
teacher and to help others grow at the same time.  WOW!!

Fred Strand
Past President, ND Council of
Teachers of Mathematics

7-12 Grade Mathematics Instructor
Hatton High School

RRVWP Summer Institute
Fellow 2008

Web Updates

Last update 10/21/2009