Workshop with Kelly Gallagher, June 14

Save the date!  On June 14, 2013, IWP is sponsoring a day-long workshop by Kelly Gallagher on "Building Deeper Readers and Writers in the Age of the Common Core Standards."

Kelly Gallagher has an extensive background in literacy education.  A high school teacher with over 20 years teaching experience, he currently teaches at Magnolia High School in Anaheim, California.  His books for Stenhouse Publishers include Deeper Reading, Teaching Adolescent Writers, Write Like This, and Readicide.

Registration information will be available by January 15, 2013.  Keep updated by checking iwp.iweb.bsu.edu/kelly.

In this podcast, Kelly talks about using real world texts in the classroom.

Smekens: Light Snack or the Real Meal Deal

Smekens!  This name evokes an array of emotions in educators.  Words like "gimmicky," "lacking meat," and "quick fix" are tossed about.  I personally have a different perspective.  Kristina Smekens is part of my journey as a literacy educator.  She introduced me to the six traits and craft in writing, how to organize and manage a writing workshop, as well as how to begin.  When I left that first workshop, "Introducing the Six Traits," I returned to my classroom armed with lesson plans, courage, and confidence.  Confidence...the X factor that spurs us on to reach new heights!

This newfound confidence led me to the Indiana Writing Project.  In Summer Institute I learned that the 6 traits is an assessment, not a process.  I learned to stand on the shoulders of the great ones in the field of literacy, and I learned that I was, indeed, a writer.  No doubt, this experience was a life-changing part of my literacy journey.  I was empowered by being a student in a writing workshop, sharing the power of teachers teaching teachers, and believing that I too am a writer.  The confusion, the questioning, the research and reflection my mind muddled with definitely strengthened my understanding and ability to implement writing workshop in my own classroom.  But my journey did not end there.

This July, I attended a two-day literacy conference led by one of Kristina Smekens's mentees, Kristi McCullough.  Was it gimmicky?  Only if having a visual for each reading strategy is a "trick." Was it lacking meat?  Only from the standpoint that the two-day workshop covered research, organization, management, and implementation in 12 hours!  Was it a quick fix?  If feeling like I have a starting point for taking the information back to my own classroom and implementing it from day one, then maybe.  To be regenerated with courage and confidence to face the new year...priceless!

Each of us is on a journey to become a better educator.  Trends come and go, but a teacher's search for the best ways to instruct is constant.  Our journeys are different.  Some include people like Smekens and even Shurley!  Growth meets each of us where we are at any given moment.  The growth is the important thing about the journey.  We must respect each other's journey.

Submitted by Kathy Flatter, TC ‘07

Youth Writing Camp starts Sept. 15

Fall semester sessions of Writing Camp for students in grades 3-6 begin Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Help us spread the word.  Registration form.  More information.

Craft in Kindergarten: An Example Mini-lesson

The Vimeo clip "Modeled Writing - Primary" does an excellent job highlighting the mini-lesson portion of Writing Workshop while illustrating the concepts of author study and craft as well. 

Jennifer Wisner, a teacher from Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon, is using Eric Carle's books as the basis of an author study in her kindergarten class.  She and her students have read several of the author's works and are now creating a chart of the craft they have recognized in some of Carle's popular children's books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  To end the mini-lesson and begin independent writing time, the teacher invites the young writers to try to use some of Carle's craft ideas in their own writing. 

When viewing this example mini-lesson on author study and craft, you can see it would be great for kindergarten or first grade students; additionally, the mini-lesson's overall structure, high level of student engagement, and use of mentor texts and author study are adaptable and appropriate for writers of any grade level.  Consider how mini-lessons and age-appropriate author studies can be used to explore craft and inspire the writers in your classroom.

Submitted by Shirley Thacker, TC '07

At Wes-Del Elementary, "Writing is..."

 
Here are beautifully reflective descriptions and analogies on what writing means to the campers, assistants, and facilitators of the summer 2012 Comp Camp at Wes-Del Elementary, which was led by TC Shirley Thacker ('07).  

"Writing is as fun as swimming." - Bray W. 

 

 "Writing is like a heart. . . both are beautiful." - Jaci K. 

"Writing is like the color to my artwork." - Brylee K.  

"Writing is. . . as fun as candy, but still being healthy." - Allen S. 

"Writing . . . like throwing a baseball. It's sometimes easy, 

and you always have a target." - AJ  N.
   

"Writing is wonderful . . . like sunshine." - Kylie A. 

  "Writing . . . like a fuzzy, furry rabbit. I like them both." - Alexandra R. 

 

"Writing is as fun as reading." - Chantel S.

 

"Writing is like being on an island resort. . . fun, fancy, and enjoyable." - Breanna C.

 "Writing is as fun as going on vacation." - Taylor B.

 

"Writing is like a quilt. . . it takes a long time to make." - Allie B.

 "Writing is like pizza. . . I love them both." - Gracie B.

 

"Writing is like making a hamburger. . . each step is like 

adding one of the toppings." - Jared D. 

"Writing feels as good as sinking a basketball in the hoop." - Joel D.

 "Writing is like being in a swimming pool. I love them both." - Lauren K.

 "Writing is like a seed . . . it sprouts and grows 

until it becomes something new." - Lauryn J.

"Writing is like dancing.  It's fun and I love doing it." - Mady J.

 "Writing is like opening presents at Christmas." - Natalie R.

"Writing is as fun as dance." - Paige T.

 "Writing is a precious gem beneath the earth.  You must search for it, dig it up, 

cut it, and polish it before it's complete." - Mr. Waylon Shaffer, student teacher

"Writing is a refuge when I'm weary. A quiet place to escape 

from all the outside noise." - Mrs. Monica Denney, 4th Grade Teacher

 "Writing is food for my soul, energy for my run-down battery." 

 - Mrs. Shirley Thacker, NBCT 

Submitted by Shirley Thacker, TC '07

Upcoming IWP Event: Shop Talk on July 23rd

IWP's Shop Talk is a monthly, informal meeting group that allows TC's to reconnect with each other while discussing current ideas and issues in literacy education and our classrooms.

This month's Shop Talk will be Monday, July 23rd, at 6 p.m., at Panera on McGalliard Road in Muncie.  Invite a friend or colleague to attend with you!

A Unit in Progress

It’s a curse all teachers share…

Listen to Donalyn Miller’s recommendations at All-Write.

Write down title: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Get home and order from Amazon.

Did I ever see the entire Star Wars movie?

Something about a bar scene? No, that was a sequel…

Can’t wait to read book…

Enjoy it …

(Yes, Donalyn, it’s below my lexile level…)

Think of Dwights I know…

And Harveys… and Tommys…

Ponder re-inventing myself, like Dwight and Yoda…

Remember adolescent psychology class…

Think about abnormal psychology…

Recall my Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde unit that flopped…

Use Origami Yoda to introduce themes in Dr. Jeckyl?

Maybe characters?

How could I appeal to multiple intelligences, interests?

Isn’t there a superhero with two personalities? Underdog?

Ask my kid...

“Two-Face from Batman...” 

Think about politicians…

Ahhh….recognize expository text opportunity…

(Remember, Common Core…)

Wonder how long that will last…

Think about psychics and the Oracle of Apollo…

(More expository text…)

Origami Yoda knows the future… or does he?

Would you want to know the future?

What if you didn’t know the past?

More kid input.

Add to list: Shutter Island…

Graphic novel… movie… novel…

Quintessential American Novel: The Great Gatsby…

American Lit class…

High ability kids…

Is Dwight high ability? Is Yoda?

Who is Yoda again?

Need more background information…

Check out Netflix…

Hmm….

And how can I use this?

Submitted by Barbara Swander Miller, TC '09