News & events

Honoring Resilience: Learning from the Holocaust and the Dakota Exile

For more information and to register, click here.
2018 Fall Workshop: Teaching Nuanced Arguments and Critical Thinking

2018 Fall Workshop

Click here for a printable PDF.

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2019 NWP Midwest Conference: Race, Writing, and Power

For more information, click here!

Download the flyer here.
The Holocaust and the Meaning of Place

For more information and to register, click here.

PDF of the above flyer available here.

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Introducing MWP Summer Youth Camps!
MWP is excited to facilitate summer youth writing camps for students entering 5th through 8th grade (in fall 2018). Our enthusiastic summer camp leaders are currently practicing licensed teachers who bring energy and experience to the teaching of writing. Each camp is limited to 16 participants. The camps will run five days for three hours at a time.

Click here for details!

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2018 Saturday Session Workshop!

PDF of the above flyer available here.
Check out our 2017 MWP Fall Workshop!
MWP is excited to announce our College Ready Writers Program Advanced Institute!
For details, click on the flyer below:
Check out our Saturday sessions!
Please know that the Saturday, March 11, session has been canceled.
Step-by-step registration instructions here.
For details, click on the flyer below:
Watch MWP Teacher Consultant Molly Vasich’s Students Perform at the Third Place Gallery!

We invite you for an evening of poetry that celebrates a new generation of writers! Washburn High’s Black Voices is an English class centered on turning the mic to the students using black literature to dive and dig deep into poetry and social politic. Recently featured in Educator Innovator, this partnership between Molly Vasich (MWP ISI 2015) and TruArtSpeaks is funded through the National Writing Project's LRNG Grant.
Come join us for a night of spoken word poetry as we hear from young people writing new worlds into the future!

January 24th 6-8p
The Third Place Gallery
730 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Attend the 2017 Open Institute on Writing for Social Justice

To take the Open Institute, register for Curriculum and Instruction (CI) course number 5465. Registration information is found at this link.

Writing Process and Thematic Inquiry: Writing for Social Justice
3 Credits

WHO?
Teachers in all grade levels, content areas, and experience levels
We encourage experienced social justice educators and those new to the theme to join us! Past Invitational Summer and Open Institute participants are welcome, as are both degree and non-degree seeking students.

WHEN?
Monday-Friday, June 19-23; Monday, June 26; Thursday June 29
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

WHERE?
Nicholson Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis East Bank Campus

WRITING
You will reflect on your own writing processes as you write, share your writing, and participate in a community of writers. Writing groups will meet several times during the week.

TEACHING
You will consider the theory and practice of writing instruction that helps students achieve their potential as writers and change agents.

LEARNING
You will examine a current literacy issue related to the course theme: Writing for Social Justice. Course texts include Linda Christensen's Reading, Writing, and Rising Up and Teaching for Joy and Justice.

For more information on how to register for the Open Institute, contact Steph Rollag Yoon at sry@umn.edu
MWP 2016 Fall Workshop: Partnering to Explore Social Justice, Art, & Literacy
Featuring Tish Jones, spoken word artist and Executive Director of TruArtSpeaks
- Learn about the goals and work of local nonprofit, TruArtSpeaks, through an interactive presentation by Tish Jones.
- Discover how MWP teacher, Molly Vasich, is partnering with TruArtSpeaks to develop an English Language Arts curriculum for a course titled Black Voices, utilizing elements of Hip Hop and Spoken Word culture.
- Join in reflection, discussion, and writing to consider ways to build partnerships and curriculum around social justice, art, and literacy
WHO?
Educators across all levels and settings interested in learning about the intersection of social justice, art, and literacy education.

Click here for the flyer to spread the word to your teacher colleagues!

WHEN?
Saturday, October 1, 2016
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
WHERE?
The Minnesota Humanities Center987 Ivy Ave E
St Paul, MN 55106

Cost: $50 (Lunch provided; CEUs available)

Registration deadline is Sept. 26.

To register online and pay by credit card, click here. For questions about registration, contact Terri Wallace, tlw@umn.edu.
Attend the 2016 Open Institute on Writing for Social Justice
Writing Process and Thematic Inquiry: Writing for Social Justice
3 Credits
Facilitated by Anne Beach and Steph Rollag Yoon

WHO?
Teachers in all grade levels, content areas, and experience levels

We encourage experienced social justice educators and those new to the theme to join us! Past Invitational Summer and Open Institute participants are welcome, as are both degree and non-degree seeking students.

WHEN?
Monday-Friday, June 14-17; Monday, June 20; Tuesday, June 21; and Friday, June 24
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE?
Nicholson Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis East Bank Campus

WRITING
You will reflect on your own writing processes as you write, share your writing, and participate in a community of writers. Writing groups will meet several times during the week.

TEACHING
You will consider the theory and practice of writing instruction that helps students achieve their potential as writers and change agents.

LEARNING
You will examine a current literacy issue related to the course theme: Writing for Social Justice. Course texts include Linda Christensen's Reading, Writing, and Rising Up and Teaching for Joy and Justice.

For more information on how to register for the Open Institute, contact Steph at roll226@umn.edu.
Click here for the Open Institute flyer.
Wing Young Huie to be guest artist for MWP retreat on 22 June 2016
Local artist Wing Young Huie will be the guest presenter at this year’s retreat for the 26th Annual Invitational Summer Institute on the evening of Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016. Wing has been a celebrated photographer for over 30 years, exploring a variety of social issues locally and internationally. He has also been an active teaching artist, partnering with local schools and community projects. See Wing’s website for more information.

Interested in attending Wing’s presentation on June 22nd? Email Steph at roll0226@umn.edu.
2016 Saturday Session Workshops--Collaborations & Connections in the ELA Classroom
Minnesota Writing Project and Minnesota Department of Education invite you to register for and attend these Saturday Sessions:
- January 9 Building a Collaborative Writing Classroom
- February 6 Connecting in a One-to-One Classroom
- March 5 Community Connections in the Classroom
All sessions will
- take place at MDE Conference Center A in Roseville
- last from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
- cost $50 per session
- CEUs are available
Please download the PDF flyer for more information.

Register online here.
Susan Armington as guest presenter at MWP retreat on Wed., June 24, 2015

Susan Armington
Artist Susan Armington will be the guest presenter at the MWP Retreat at Mt. Olivet retreat center on the evening of Wednesday, June 24. See her website for examples of and information about her art and community projects.

From her website:
Susan Armington works in painting, mixed media, and imaginative map-making. Her art and community work deal with connecting across difference; and the role of words in bringing us together, as well as maintaining our separateness. Her art makes frequent use of text in various languages as material for constructing 2- and 3-dimensional images.
Please contact us at MWP@umn.edu for information about time and place and to indicate that you would like to attend this event. All MWP TCs are welcome!
Assignments Matter Workshop--Wednesday, August 5, 2015
9:00 am to 3:00 pm, 135 Nicholson Hall (University of Minnesota East Bank)
Limited to 25 middle school or high school teachers
Free, but registration is required
To register, email mwp@umn.edu
Registration deadline: July 24, 2015

Assignments Matter Training is for middle school and high school teachers of all content areas that work with literacy and the Literacy State and Common Core Standards.
Learn about a Writing Assignment Template designed to help teachers create more meaningful writing assignments and ensure alignment with the Common Core Standards

Try a Peer Jurying tool to validate writing assignments before using them with students

Join a community of teachers working and learning together

Use social media to connect with other training sites on that day

In addition, each participant will:
Earn CEU credits

Get a free lunch

Have an opportunity to become involved with a community of teachers working together to improve education and student writing. Together we work smarter and stronger!

See the Assignment Matters flyer for more information.
Attend the 2015 Open Institute on Writing for Social Justice
CI 5410: Writing Process and Thematic Inquiry: Writing for Social Justice
3 Credits
Facilitated by Jessica Dockter Tierney and Stephanie Rollag

WHO?
Teachers in all grade levels, content areas, and experience levels

We encourage experienced social justice educators and those new to the theme to join us! Past Invitational Summer and Open Institute participants are welcome, as are both degree and non-degree seeking students.

WHEN?
Monday-Friday, June 15-19; Tuesday, June 23; and Friday, June 26
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE?
Nicholson Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis East Bank Campus

WRITING
You will reflect on your own writing processes as you write, share your writing, and participate in a community of writers. Writing groups will meet several times during the week.

TEACHING
You will consider the theory and practice of writing instruction that helps students achieve their potential as writers and change agents.

LEARNING
You will examine a current literacy issue related to the course theme: Writing for Social Justice. Course texts include Linda Christensen's Reading, Writing, and Rising Up and Teaching for Joy and Justice.

For more information on how to register for the Open Institute, contact mwp@umn.edu
MWP Book Club--Terry Farish's The Good Braider
The winter selection for our on-line book club, is The Good Braider by Terry Farish. Written in free verse, the novel relates a family's journey from the Sudan to Maine. School Library Journal shared in a starred review, "Viola's memorable, affecting voice will go far to help students step outside of their own experience and walk a mile in another's shoes."

A very helpful discussion guide can be found here.

To become a member of the club, join Goodreads and then send an email to Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu) telling her that you want to join the MWP Book Club. In addition, if you have any questions about or suggestions for the book club, please let Debra know.
2015 Saturday Session Workshops: Digging Deeper into the ELA Standards
Join us for coffee, breakfast, conversation, and engaged learning during our 5th annual Saturday Session Workshop Series!

Offered through a special collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, three questions will guide the sessions in this series:
January 10, 2015: How do we connect ELA standards to state writing tests?

February 7, 2015: How do we write argumentation through blended genres?

March 14, 2015: How do we utilize technology to produce and publish?

All workshops are led by practicing educators affiliated with the Minnesota Writing Project. For more information download the flyer from the link below.

***

Cost: $50 per session - Graduate credit option available for attendance at all three.

Where: Minnesota Department of Education - Conference Center A - 1500 Highway 36 West - Roseville, MN 55113.

When: 9:00am - 12:30pm (see dates above) - Continental breakfast provided.

To register: Download & complete the 2015 Saturday Session Workshop Flyer.pdf. Send payment to MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 OR use our online registration to reserve a space.

Questions? Contact: mwp@umn.edu

Open to all interested educators. Come alone or bring a friend. Come to one or come to all!!
Next MWP Book Club book: The Burgess Boys
Our fall selection is a novel, The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout (author of Olive Kitteridge).

Set in both Maine and New York City, the book focuses on the relationship among three siblings, Jim and Bob Burgess and their sister Susan. Zach, Susan's son, gets into a world of trouble, and she calls on her brothers for help. The conflict involves the family but also the community as a whole that is grappling with the recent influx of Somali immigrants. In our times of dealing with many cultural differences, the book offers much to think about and to discuss!

Instead of a series of questions, we're posing only two: What was your reaction to the book: the characters, the conflict and the themes? How does the story relate to your teaching?

We'll start our on-line discussion on Monday, November 10, so start reading!

To become a member of the club, join Goodreads and then send an email to Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu) telling her that you want to join the MWP Book Club. In addition, if you have any questions about or suggestions for the book club, please let Debra know.

Our winter selection will be The Good Braider. More details will follow.
Give to the Max Day, 13 November 2014
The Minnesota Writing Project will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2015!
Please help us recognize our history and prepare for the next 25 years of teachers teaching teachers by giving to us on (or before) 13 November 2014, Give to the Max Day.

Your gift may provide funding for

....Fellowships for teachers in underserved areas to attend the MWP Summer Institute on the Twin Cities campus
....Opportunities for teachers to attend and share their best practices at regional and national professional development conferences
....A video showcasing the MWP's first 25 years of supporting the professional development of Minnesota educators

Double your donation: Friends of MWP will match your gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $350. Please help us meet this challenge and reach our goal of $1,000.

To contribute, go to the MWP giving page and click on the Make a gift to the Minnesota Writing Project online link.
Registration for Fall Workshop deadline is extended!
Registration for the Fall Workshop has been extended to Monday, September 29. We look forward to receiving yours!

Be among the first to use our new online registration!
Fall Workshop, 11 October 2014: Teaching with Connected Learning
Spend a day exploring the concept of Connected Learning with keynote speaker Paul Oh from the National Writing Project; the day includes an interactive learning experience and teacher demonstrations.

When: Saturday, October 11, 2014, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Minnesota Department of Education, Conference Center A, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN
Cost: $60. Includes registration, meals, and snacks
Register: By Monday, September 29 (note time extension); send payment to MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, contact mwp@umn.edu to reserve a place, or be among the first to use our new online registration

If possible, please bring an iPad or laptop to the workshop.
Fall Workshop Flier.pdf
MWP Online Book Club Reads <em>The Fault In Our Stars</em>
Join us for our online discussion of John Green's popular YA book, The Fault In Our Stars, starting on Monday, July 7.

To become a member of the club, join Goodreads and then send an email to Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu) telling her that you want to join the MWP Book Club.

If you have any questions about or suggestions for the book club, please contact Ann Thompson (thomp402@umn.edu) or Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu).
Author Talk - Sarah Stonich, Wednesday, June 25th, 2014
Author Sarah Stonich will be the guest presenter at this year's Mt. Olivet retreat for the 24th Annual Invitational Summer Institute on Wednesday, June 25th. Stonich's critically acclaimed novels include Vacationland and These Granite Islands.

See Stonich's website for more information about her work and contact Muriel Thompson (murielt@umn.edu) for more details about this author event.
MWP 8th Annual Fall Workshop - October 11th, 2014
Save the date! Our 8th Annual Fall Workshop will be held on Saturday, October 11th. We are thrilled to welcome Paul Oh, Senior Program Associate for the National Writing Project, who will speak about Connected Learning and other digital initiatives at NWP.

More details about registration, agenda, and cost coming soon!
2014 MWP Spring Writing Day
MWP will host a Spring Writing Day on Saturday, April 26, from 12:30-3:30pm in 12 Nicholson Hall at the University of Minnesota. There will be time for participants to write, share, and meet with an old (or new!) writing group.

Members of the MWP Online Book Club who can make it into the Twin Cities will also have time to meet face-to-face and continue a discussion on the first book, Pat Conroy's My Reading Life.

Please contact Ann Thompson (thomp402@umn.edu) if you are planning to attend.
The MWP Online Book Club
The Minnesota Writing Project has a new online book club through Goodreads. The MWP Book Club is a private group just for MWP Summer Institute participants and other educators associated with MWP, such as our collaborative partner, the Trondheim Writing Project.

To become a member of the club, join Goodreads and then send an email to Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu) telling her that you want to join the MWP Book Club.

Our spring book will be My Reading Life by Pat Conroy. By Friday, March 21st, Marsha Besch, the book club discussion leader, will post a few questions to stimulate our thinking as we read. Online discussion of the book will begin on Monday, April 14th. Club members are encouraged to have read at least half of the book by then.

If you have any questions about or suggestions for the book club, please contact Ann Thompson (thomp402@umn.edu) or Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu).
2014 MWP Open Institute: Writing for Social Justice
MWP will offer the following June course open to both degree and non-degree seeking students:

CI 5410: MWP Open Institute: Writing for Social Justice
June 16-20, 24, 27, 2014, 9:00-3:00

This 3-credit graduate course is open to teachers from any discipline, K-College, including those who have already attended the Invitational Summer Institute. The MWP Open Institute course will focus on writing for change and social justice, exploring themes of social justice through writing, teaching and learning. In addition to writing, participants will read from course texts such as Linda Christensen's Reading, Writing, and Rising Up and Teaching for Joy and Justice. For more information see the course flier: 2014 Open Institute.
2014 Saturday Session Workshops: Teaching for Justice and Equity within the Common Core
Join us for coffee, breakfast, conversation and engaged learning during our 4th annual Saturday Session Workshop Series!

Offered through a special collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, this year's workshops include half-day sessions focused on Teaching for Justice and Equity within the Common Core Standards.

Three questions will guide the sessions in this series:
• January 25th, 2014: What is a social justice approach to teaching literacy?
• February 22nd, 2014: How do teachers incorporate themes of justice and equity into their subjects while meeting the CCSS?
• March 29th, 2014: How do teachers respond successfully to the challenges of incorporating a social justice approach to teaching?

All workshops are led by practicing educators affiliated with the Minnesota Writing Project. For more information see the registration form attached below.

***

COST: $50 per session - Graduate credit option available for attendance at all three.  WHERE: Minnesota Department of Education - Conference Center A - 1500 Highway 36 West - Roseville, MN 55113. WHEN: 9:00am - 12:30pm (see dates above) - Continental breakfast provided.

TO REGISTER:  Download & complete the 2014 Saturday Session Workshop Flyer.pdf. Send to the address included. Contact MWP for available space (MWP@umn.edu).

Open to all interested educators. Come alone or bring a friend. Come to one or come to all!!
MWP 7th Annual Fall Workshop - October 5
Join us for our 7th Annual Fall Workshop to be held on Saturday, October 5th, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year's theme will focus on Creating Communities Through Literacy and will feature Jonathan Odell, author of The View from Delphi and The Healing.

Morning activities will include breakout sessions by MWP Teachers devoted to community and justice in classrooms, as well as a roundtable discussion by teachers involved in MWP's collaboration with the Trondheim Writing Project in Norway.

WHEN: Saturday, October 5th
WHERE: MN Dept. of Ed. Conference Center A, 1500 Highway 36 W, Roseville, MN 55113
COST: $75 - includes registration, continental breakfast, and lunch

TO REGISTER: Send payment by Friday, September 13th to MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. (Please make checks payable to University of Minnesota.)

For additional information, see the 2013 Fall Workshop flyer.pdf, email MWP@umn.edu or call 612-625-6323.
2013 MWP Summer Offerings

In addition to our 23rd Invitational Summer Institute, MWP will offer the following June programs open to all teachers:

* Course: Writing for Social Justice

* Advanced Institute

* Author Visit: Joyce Sidman

CI 5410: Writing for Social Justice
June 17-21; 25, 27: 2013, (9-3)

This summer we will offer a 3-credit graduate course, open to teachers from any discipline, K-College, including those who have already attended the Invitational Summer Institute. The MWP Open Institute course will focus on writing for change and social justice, exploring themes of social justice through writing, teaching and learning. In addition to writing, participants will read from course texts such as Linda Christensen's Reading, Writing, and Rising Up and Teaching for Joy and Justice. For more information see course flyer below.

Open Institute 2013.pdf

Minnesota Writing Project Advanced Institute: A Collaboration with Norway's Trondheim Writing Project
June 24-28 2013

As many of you know, MWP leaders were invited to Norway to share information about our site in 2011 and Norwegian educators visited us in 2012 leading to four teachers from Norway attending last summer's Invitational Summer Institute Now, our colleagues in Norway have embarked on creating their own Writing Project site and first Summer Institute in Trondheim, Norway.

Our Advanced Institute will take place during the same week as the Trondheim Writing Project's Summer Institute, so we can engage in a shared cross-cultural inquiry into how writing is taught and how teachers can learn together in Norway and the United States. There will be no cost to attend this Advanced Institute (other than your own transportation and parking costs), and we hope you will find the mix of writing, reading, and discussing during this week together enriching for your own practice as a teacher and writer.

To apply for this special opportunity, please contact MWP@umn.edu, 612-625-6323. You will then be connected with the group leaders who will send you an application.

Author Talk - Wednesday, June 26th 2013

Author Joyce Sidman will be the guest presenter at this year's retreat for the 23rd Annual Invitational Summer Institute on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013. Sidman has written several poetry books for children, including Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night.

See Sidmans's website for more information about her work. http://www.joycesidman.com/

For more information on any of these summer offerings please contact MWP@umn.edu, 612-625-6323

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2013 Winter Workshop Series: Using Media to Enrich CCSS
Come sip coffee with colleagues as we devote Saturday mornings this winter to discussion and hands-on engagement with literacy topics.

Offered through a special collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, this year's seminar series includes half-day workshops that address using media to enrich Common Core Media Standards . Special sessions will focus on boys literacy and social justice.
(photo credit: Mallix @Flickr)

January 26th, 2013:
Using Media to Meet the Needs of Struggling Students: Boys & Literacy
February 23rd, 2013:
Incorporating New Genres of Media Production into Current Teaching Practices
March 9th, 2013:
Using Media to Explore Social Justice and Global Awareness

For more information on the individual workshops see registration form attached below.
***

COST: $50 per session -- Graduate credit option available for attendance at all three.
WHERE: Minnesota Department of Education -- Conference Center A -- 1500 Highway 36 West -- Roseville, MN 55113
WHEN: 9:00am - 12:30pm (see dates above) -- coffee and bagels will be served.

TO REGISTER:
Download & Complete the MWP Saturday Sessions 2013.pdf. Send to the address included. To reserve a space, register by January 11th, 2013.

Come alone or bring a friend. Come to one or come to all !!
MWP 6th Annual Fall Workshop - September 29th
Join us on September 29th for the 6th Annual Fall Workshop.

This year's workshop will feature a author and professor of American Indian Studies, Dr. Linda Grover. Her most recent book, The Dance Boots, which features short stories illustrating Native American history and culture, won the Flannery Connor Award for short fiction.

Morning activities will include breakout sessions devoted to discussions of the standards related to Minnesota American Indian writers in the 2010 Minnesota English Language Arts Standards--what they are and how to implement them in the classroom.

WHEN: Saturday, September 29th
WHERE: MN Department of Education Conf. Center A, 1500 Highway 36 W, Roseville, MN
COST: $60--includes registration, meals and snacks

TO REGISTER: For early registration rate, send payment by Monday, September 17th to MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Or contact MWP@umn.edu to reserve a place and bring payment on the day. After  Monday, September  17th the cost will be $75.   Registration  closes  on  Monday, September  24th.

See REVISED Fall Workshop 2012 Flyer.pdf for more information.
MWP Summer Offerings 2012

In addition to our 22nd Invitational Summer Institute, MWP will offer the following programs open to all teachers:

* Digital Writing Workshop (CLOSED)

* Open Institute (JULY)

* All-School Assessment Workshop (AUGUST)

Digital Writing Workshop
June 18-22, 2012 (9-3) -- REGISTRATION CLOSED

This week-long workshop will help teachers examine the possibilities for creating student-centered, collaborative learning opportunities with technology. Mornings will be instructional focus on technology and digital literacies for audio, composition, debate, drawing, image, mapping, music, presentation, research, slideshow, video, and writing (including iMovie, Comic Life, Ning, PB Works, Google tools). Afternoons will provide time for hands-on application of digital writing skills, as participants compose their own digital texts.

2012 MWP Digital Flyer.pdf

Minnesota Writing Project Open Institute
July 16-20, 2012 (9-3)

The Minnesota Writing Project offers an interactive workshop where teachers will participate in writing groups, consider the theory and practice of writing instruction, and examine current literacy issues. Visit MWP Open Institute Webpage or flyers below for more information.

2012 open 2012.pdf
2012 open registration.pdf

Creating a District-Wide or All-School Writing Assessment
August 7-8, 2012 (9-3)

This two-day workshop will enable district or school curriculum coordinators to develop an all-school or district-wide writing assessment. This is a hands-on workshop in which participants will learn how to create an effective prompt and set up in-house scoring. Opportunities will be given to select range finders and anchor papers and work with holistic as well as domain scoring.

2012 assessment workshop.pdf
2012 assessment registration (pdf)

Author Talk - Wednesday, June 27th 2012

Author David LaRochelle will be the guest presenter at this year's retreat for the 22nd Annual Invitational Summer Institute on Wednesday, June 27th, 2012.

LaRochelle has written several books for children and young adults, including Absolutely, Positively Not, and his most recent picture book, The Best Pet of All. See LaRochelle's website for more information on his work. Contact MWP to register for the event.

For more information on any of these summer offerings please contact MWP@umn.edu, 612-625-6323

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2012 Saturday Sessions with MWP

Come sip coffee with colleagues as we spend one Saturday morning of each upcoming winter month to discussion and hands-on engagement with literacy topics.

Offered through a special collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, this year's seminar series includes half-day workshops that address teaching various genres of writing (explanatory, persuasive, narrative, & multigenre). Special focus will be given to implementing the recently revised 2010 MN English Language Arts Standards.

January 21st, 2012:
How to best support and expand explanatory/informative writing
February 11th, 2012:
How to best support and expand argumentative/persuasive writing
March 31st, 2012:
How to best weave narrative, poetry, and multigenre writing into academic texts

For more information on the individual workshops see registration form below.

***

COST: $45 per session -- Graduate credit option available for attendance at all three.
WHERE: Minnesota Department of Education -- Conference Center A -- 1500 Highway 36 West -- Roseville, MN 55113
WHEN: 9:00am - 12:30pm (see dates above) -- coffee and bagels will be served.

TO REGISTER:
Download & Complete the 2012 Saturday Sessions.pdf. Send to the address included.

Registration deadline is December 16th, 2011.

Come alone or bring a friend. Come to one or come to all !!
MWP Fifth Annual Fall Workshop -- September 24th
Join us on September 24th for the 5th Annual Fall Workshop.

This year's workshop will feature a reader's theater presentation of "The Great Hurt," an artistic exploration of the American Indian boarding school experience.

Morning activities will include breakout sessions devoted to discussions of the standards related to Minnesota American Indian writers in the 2010 Minnesota English Language Arts Standards--what they are and how to implement them in the classroom.

WHEN: Saturday, September 24th
WHERE: U of MN Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul Campus
COST: $60--includes parking, breakfast, lunch and snacks

TO REGISTER: By Friday, September 9th, send payment to
MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Or contact MWP@umn.edu to reserve a place and bring payment on the day.

See MWP Fall Workshop 2011.pdf for more information.
Hungry for More? -- Saturday Workshop Series adds session for Science Literacy
Due to the popularity of the recently completed Second Saturday Workshop Series (offered through an MWP & MN DOE partnership), we are now offering an "encore" workshop focusing on Literacy in the Sciences. This one day workshop will be offered

WHEN: Saturday, May 14th
TIME: 9:00-12:30
WHERE: Minnesota Department of Education in Roseville
COST: $45.

Literacy in Science is a new feature in the 2010 English Language Arts Standards. Literacy will now be taught in science, social studies, and technical subjects, as well as in language arts. This session will focus on teaching literacy within the science curriculum.
• Explore the new literacy in science standards
• Learn strategies for doing literacy learning within your science content
• Learn how to support your students as they write informational text in science
• Participate in breakout sessions specific to elementary, middle, and high school science

Registration deadline is May 2nd. Saturday science wkshop.pdf for more information.
Sheila O'Connor to Visit MWP June 2011
Author and editor Sheila O'Connor will be the guest presenter at this year's retreat for the 21st Annual Invitational Summer Institute on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011. O'Connor has written and edited several books, including Where No Gods Came, and her most recent novel Sparrow Road.

In addition to writing, she teaches creative writing at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and edits the journal Water-Stone Review. Visit Sheila O'Connor's website to explore more of her work.

MWP TCs who want to attend should contact MWP at mwp@umn.edu. Visit the Mt. Olivet website for more information on the site, its trails, services, and directions.
Second Saturdays: MWP Winter Workshop Series
Come sip coffee with colleagues as we devote the second Saturday morning of each upcoming winter month to discussion and hands-on engagement with literacy topics.

Offered through a special collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, this year's seminar series includes half-day workshops that focus on different approaches to implementing the recently revised 2010 MN English Language Arts Standards:

January 8th, 2011:
How to use Best Practices in implementing the 2010 ELA Writing Standards
February 12th, 2011:
How to use writing to implement the 2010 ELA Media Production Standards
March 12th, 2011:
How to engage diverse learners in the 2010 ELA Writing Standards

For more information on the individual workshops see registration form below.

***

COST: $45 per session -- Graduate credit option available for attendance at all three.
WHERE: Minnesota Department of Education -- Conference Center A -- 1500 Highway 36 West -- Roseville, MN 55113
WHEN: 9:00am - 12:30pm (see dates above) -- coffee and bagels will be served.

TO REGISTER:
Download & Complete the 2011 Saturday Workshops REGISTRATION FORM.pdf. Send to the address included.

Registration deadline is December 20th, 2010.

Come alone or bring a friend. Come to one or come to all !!
Frank Sentwali to Speak at Fall Workshop
Join us on October 16 for a challenging, yet relaxing, Saturday workshop for
past participants of the MWP Summer Institute.

At this year's workshop, "Exploring the Boundaries of Literacy Education," ideas will be popping (or maybe hip-hopping!) after the morning performance of "Enterbrainment Live!" by Frank Sentwali, the creator of Edu-Poetic Entertainment, a Twin Cities spoken word and music ensemble. John Albright (ISI 2005), a teacher who has incorporated Frank's program in his curriculum, will also share with us the benefits of spoken-word literacy activities.

Afternoon activities will include breakout sessions devoted to discussions of various hot topics in literacy: Diverse Learners, Common Core Standards, Digital Writing, and Writing Assessment

WHEN: Saturday, October 16th, 2010
WHERE: U of MN Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul Campus
COST: $60 -- includes parking, breakfast, lunch and snacks

TO REGISTER: By Friday, September 24th, send payment to
MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive, SE, Mpls, MN 55455. Or contact MWP@umn.edu to reserve a place and bring payment on the day.

Agenda MWP Fall Workshop 2010.pdf

2010 Fall Workshop Sentwali.pdf
MWP TC Wins Grant for Robotics-Based Inquiry
Congratulations to St. Paul science teacher, Susan Benjamin (ISI 2007), who has recently received a $10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant to include robotics-based inquiry projects in the teaching of physical science . The project creatively titled "Robots Attack the Achievement Gap" draws on robotics instruction and problem solving to engage 6th graders in a variety of science and math learning adventures. As Susan further describes the project,

Typically, the subject of robotics is available to children only through after school programs or in a "gifted and talented" class. This Tapestry Project takes a different approach; special robotics instruction will be provided to the sixth graders at Achieve Language Academy with the lowest skill levels in math and science. These targeted students will then become the robotics experts in their science classrooms, where they will teach their peers while completing a series of Robotics Inquiry Projects. This Tapestry Project includes a week-long off campus experience at STARBASE Minnesota, where students will work to solve science and engineering problems in the context of space exploration. Finally, the sixth graders will work in teams to complete a Capstone Robotics Project that will require them to apply what they have learned about physical science and robotics to a real engineering problem from daily life. These final projects will be demonstrated to families and the school community at a Robot Celebration held in the spring.

Visit The Toyota Tapestry Grants homepage for more information on other award winning school-based projects and/or to learn how you can apply for your own technology and science learning adventure.
Debra Frasier to Visit MWP June 2010

Author and illustrator Debra Frasier will be the guest presenter at this year's retreat for the 20th Invitational Summer Institute on Thursday, June 24th, 2010. Frasier has written and illustrated several children's books including the familiar favorite, On the Day You Were Born.

Visit Debra Frasier's website to explore more of her work.

Of special interest is Debra's growing collection of nature writing. Check out her River Journal to see photos and read about her canoe adventures, as she celebrates turning 50 by traveling 50 rivers.

For past MWP TCs wanting to attend, more registration information will follow as the event date approaches.

Visit the Mt. Olivet website for more information on the site, its trails, services, and directions. The one minute video tour is quite stunning!
MWP Writer Publishes New Book
MWP TC Ann Marie Mershon Publishes Another Book
Istanbul's Bazaar Quarter: Backstreet Walking Tours

The walks in this book will lead you to an enchanted world beyond the noisy hurly burly of Istanbul's Covered Bazaar. Ann Marie Mershon and Edda Renker Weissenbacher show you ancient caravan inns, hidden courtyards and gardens, the small workshops that still produce fine pieces in gold, silver, and copper along with the fascinating people who do the work. Let's face it, the normal tourist trip to the souk is a nightmare of touts, tacky goods and astronomical prices. Follow these walks and you will come away with the real Bazaar Quarter, not the tourist trap, magical right down to the old Ottoman birdhouses up under the eves. I bought the book before going to Istanbul and looked up Ann Marie Mershon when I got there. The guide is the next best thing to walking with her in person. No one has done such justice to the Quarter since John Freely's Strolling Through Istanbul. Trust them both and you'll be in very good hands.

Review from Tom's Bookhouse
Save the Date: 3rd Annual Reunion/Renewal Workshop -- 10/7/2009
This fall marks the beginning of our 20th year as a site for the National Writing Project. Join us at this year's workshop as we celebrate almost two decades of promoting student literacy through supporting teachers as writers and leaders.

Improving Student Writing through Teacher Leadership

Date: Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
Place: Continuing Education & Conference Center
(U of MN, St. Paul Campus)

Registration Fee: $50 (includes continental breakfast, lunch, & parking)

Attending as a special guest this year, we will have Mary Ann Smith, National Writing Project Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs. We look forward to hearing about her experiences in Washington, DC, as she works with teachers, administrators, and students from across the nation.

For more information see the Workshop Agenda (coming soon).

To register for the workshop, send email RSVP to mwp@umn.edu and send workshop fee to: MWP, 10 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
Lauren Stringer to visit MWP
Author and illustrator Lauren Stringer will talk with teachers at this year's retreat for the 19th Invitational Summer Institute on Thursday, June 25th, 2009. Stringer has written and illustrated several children's books including Winter is the Warmest Season, Red Rubber Boot Day, Mud, and her most recent book, Snow, authored by Cynthia Rylant. Visit Lauren Stringer's website to explore more of her work.

Registration:

The MWP event in June 2009 is open to the new summer fellows participating in the summer institute and to any other MWP TCs wanting to attend. The cost of this event is $25 and includes lunch, speaker, and access to grounds at Mt. Olivet Retreat Center to walk, hike, and write. To register, please email mwp@umn.edu stating your name and interest in coming. You can pay the registration fee upon arrival.

Visit the Mt. Olivet website for more information on the site, its trails, services, and directions. The one minute video tour is quite stunning!
February retreat for SSI 2008 participants
Selective Summer Institute 2008 participants will have their second and final follow-up gathering at an overnight retreat on Friday and Saturday, February 27 and 28, at the Minnesota Humanities Center in St. Paul. The retreat will begin at about 7 pm on Friday and end at 1 pm on Saturday. All food and lodging will be covered.

The overnight gathering will be a time for catching up with each other in a more intimate setting while also sharing how the summer institute experience has played out in the classroom.

More information about the retreat will be sent to participants over email.
MWP Digital Writing Workshop
Using Digital Writing to Improve Students' Literacy Skills in the Secondary Classroom

Participants learned how to make the Web 2.0 accessible and practical for them and their students. Presenter Elizabeth Boeser uses blogs, wikis and social networks to augment regular instruction in a writing course where students work through face-to-face instruction and in an online environment. Teachers learned hands-on how:

• Blogs can replace traditional journals
• Wikis work as study guides, book projects & collaborative writing spaces.
• Ning social networks can be used for online role-play debate.
• iMovie HD can be used for video composition (if time permits)

When: January 14th, 2009 -- 9:00-3:00pm (8:30 coffee and bagels)
Where: Center for Writing computer Lab, 15 Nicholson Hall, U of MN campus
How much: $75 (includes parking and lunch)

Registration Deadline: January 5, 2009

Space was limited to 24 participants and registration was required.
MWP TC and poet featured on local news
Like many of us, MWP TC Sean Fleming, who teaches at the Bruce F. Vento School, has been busy balancing the life of both a teacher and a writer. Luckily for Sean, his writing efforts have received local acclaim with a "permanent presence."

Read some of the sidewalk poetry for yourself (Sean is featured on page 16 of poems):

Everyday Poems for City Sidewalks

Also, check out the recent WCCO & Christian Science Monitor coverage of this sidewalk poetry project and interview with Sean.

St. Paul Poet gets Poem Set in Sidewalk
Julie Landsman visits MWP

Julie Landsman spoke at our Second Annual Renewal/Reunion Workshop on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008.

Julie Landsman, author of A White Teacher Talks About Race, teaches at Carleton College and often speaks on issues related to race, poverty and the achievement gap. To read more about Julie Landsman's work, visit the links below.

Confronting the racism of low expectations

A white teacher's perspective on racism in the classroom

The October Renewal/Reunion Workshop offered participants a day of writing, reconnecting, and sharing ideas.