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

Nominate a Colleague for Summer Institute 2012

Teacher Consultants, help us recruit a great class of educators for next summer's institute. Please go to the IWP website and nominate a colleague today.

Summer Institute Nomination Form

Meet the 2011 IWP Teacher Consultants

Here are the new 2011 Indiana Writing Project Teacher Consultants! Check out their display boards and look for them at upcoming IWP events.

Matt Balk

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Mark Bartmas
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Jay Bendes
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Amanda Croy
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Stacey Chester
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Janet Ellis
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Tess Evans
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Tracey Hoyer
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Meg McCreery
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Hollie Nicholson
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Drew Richardson
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Kristen Slone

Meet the 2010 IWP Teacher Consultants

Meet the new 2010 Indiana Writing Project Teacher Consultants. Learn about each Summer Institute fellow by reading their reflections on the SI experience, and checking out their project boards.

Leigh Bivens

"The fellowship and learning with other professionals at ISI has caused me to question my own philosophy of teaching writing and in turn will impact my classroom as I implement the best practices found in Writer's Workshop."

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Lindsey Cary

"The Invitational Summer Institute was a life-changing experience. Instead of being someone who writes, I became a writer! I can't wait to implement Writing Workshop in my classes. My students will start to see themselves as writers, too!"

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Rena Dossett

"It has been a very meaningful learning adventure in the Invitational Summer Institute of the Indiana Writing Project. I hope to be able to incorporate the Writer's Workshop philosophy and practice in all my future professional endeavors."

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Jaime Ellis

"Writing workshop was just what I needed. I am excited to go back to the classroom because it has transformed me as a teacher, not just of writing, but of all the subjects. The kids are gonna' love it!"

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Steph Hedge

"It was a much needed reminder that, for all the wisdom I want to impart to my students, it doesn't mean a thing if they're not writing. My students need to just write. And I can't wait to give them the opportunity."

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Amanda Hosier

"The ISI has allowed me to spend quality time discovering how I want to teach writing in my classroom. I am positive, through the research and practice I've done in this class, that Writing Workshop will allow my students to become successful writers."

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Melody Ivey

"This summer with ISI, I have grown as a writer and as a teacher of writing. I think I got the best possible progression in going through Open Institute last summer and ISI this summer. I now have a rock-solid base that will spring me into becoming the ultimate teacher of writers!"

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Mary King

"This summer, I was immersed in the theory and practice of Writing Workshop and now am more convinced than ever that it is the best way to teach writing in our schools."

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Andrew Mishler

"ISI is the best Professional Development I have ever experienced. It has changed my philosophy of education and will significantly improve my curriculum. I have enjoyed working with all the members of the institute, and have gained some wonderful friends. We are the cool group!"

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Karen Neubauer

"Being immersed in the ISI, I see that the workshop format is not just for writers (or those who think of themselves as writers, but for writing. It's only by doing the work of writing in a community that supports it that we become better writers. I'm ready to trust the process and build community with my students."

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Anne Reagan

"ISI has been exciting, engaging, and entertaining. It has challenged me to look differently at myself as a teacher and as a student and pledge for change. I am inspired by the Fellows who have surrounded me this past month. I am grateful and blessed to be a part of it and to share in our growth."

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Jeri Tarvin

"Thank you ISI. Thank you for the shot in the arm I needed to brush off the cobwebs of my brain and challenge my teacher heart. Thank you for the camaraderie and fellowship I have experienced with the most intellectually stimulating group I have ever met. Thank you, ISI."

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Bill Valley

"The Invitational Summer Institute has created a new paradigm shift within me. It culminates by empowering student learning through Writing Workshop. I am equipped with best practices and dear friends to help - I am Write Man."

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Mandie Walker

"The Invitational Summer Institute has reminded me that I am a writer and of the love I have for writing. I am so excited to share my new knowledge and embark on an amazing writing journey with my students!"

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Summer Institute Facilitators:
Tammy Taylor, Linda Valley, and Jane Snider

The Power of Writing: A Reflection of ISI

In ISI on Writing Workshop

by Bill Valley, TC 2010

Busy, incredibly busy
Learn, experience
Drink in every innuendo
Every phrase, new concept, and thought
Relishing the voice of sparks flying
Of what was said? I didn’t quite get that?
Wondering how this applies to my classroom
On new ideas in a crescendo of complete harmony
“I got it! I got it!” embarking on a new idea…

We new Fellows come with excess baggage
Loaded with thoughts
Pregnant with our fixed ideas
Wanting to share our best practices
Boast of our kids’ writings
Embolden to articulate our students’ works
Questioning the new ideas, concepts, trains of thought
That don’t quite sound right to our ears.
“What was that? What was that?” smashing preconceived ideas…

I stand alone in our group questioning my very being
Embarrassed to shame
Enlightened to hope
Stinging reality I am trapped in Standardized Testing
In the same old tired strategies
Driven by governmental mandates
Realizing I own the fact my teaching (methodology) misses the mark
Students don’t own their learning; or even care.
“It’s a failure! It’s a failure!” wondering why I even teach…

Suddenly, through time our thoughts begin to gel
Awed in inept wonder
Inspired in our very hearts
Writing we rise from the ashes a member of IWP
On the shoulders of the greats we read
Rejoicing in the words of the writing process
From Atwells, Fletchers, Katie Wood Rays
Co-Facilitators who foster Voice and Content and Craft
“We are writers! We are writers!” teaching with power –

Professional members of NWP!

This Week at the Indiana Writing Project

This last week of June and first week of July finds the Indiana Writing Project's summer activities in full-swing.

Left - Comp Camp teacher Christie Dalton (TC 2008) listens as two students participate in Share Time. This summer, the elementary Comp Camp is being taught by Christie Dalton, and Maria Holden (TC 2001); the middle and high school Comp Camp teachers are Jenny Smithson (TC 2003) and Betsy Duckworth (TC 2008). On Friday, July 2, students' friends and families will enjoy the Celebration featuring read-alouds of students' published writing.

For more information about Comp Camp and to see students' writing published in an online anthology visit the IWP website.


Below - Fellows in this year's IWP Summer Institute are visited by teacher consultants and Open Institute participants during the Brown Bag Lunch on Wednesday, June 30.

Meet the 2009 Summer Institute Fellows

Meet the 2009 Invitational Summer Institute fellows; learn about them while reading their reflections on the SI experience, and checking out their project boards...

Jane Adams

"I teach 3rd grade at Alexandria Monroe Intermediate School. This summer in ISI I learned writing is important in all subjects – across the curriculum."

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Jennifer Fisher

"I teach 1st grade at Southside Elementary in Hartford City. I have learned so many great, terrific, and exciting things this summer that is it very hard to narrow it down to just one. If I have to narrow it down, I would say that it is that I/ we must not forget how important Writer’s Workshop is for both teachers and students. We are building a community of writers that “ache with caring”. I have found the writer within myself and I love it. There are so many stories playing around in my head that I want to write – nonfiction, fiction, family, friends, teaching… and I want that for my students. “No matter what have them write every day,” says Katie Wood Ray. I will cherish all of the wonderful, sweet, and terrific friends I gained and loved getting to know. Writing is magic, life is magic, our students are magic. Never forget how important we are and the mark we make in our lifetimes."

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Gail Gayda

"I teach 5th grade at St. Lawrence School in Muncie. I have learned so much, I didn’t know where to begin. I think foremost, I learned to love to write. And I became familiar with authors who I will continue to count on for help in setting up my workshop. ISI took me way beyond my expectation."

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Rachel Hartley-Smith

"I have an M.A. in English Creative Writing, and an M.A. in Telecommunications Digital Storytelling from Ball State. I teach first year English Composition with a focus on creativity and digital mediums. This summer I was able to focus and refine defining elements of my personal teaching philosophy. The Summer Institute gave me the opportunity to become part of a community that I will remember always."

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Melissa Messersmith

"I teach 3rd grade at Alexandria-Monroe Intermediate School. This summer I have learned how important the Writer’s notebook is and the components that make it great."

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Lori Mikel

"I teach middle and high school separate and inclusion special education classes at Selma Middle School. I’ve learned how to make writing more valuable in the classes my students take and to modify my own curriculum to help my learners work to achieve their greatest potential."

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Barbara Miller

"I teach English 10 and AP Literature and Composition at Cowan Jr./ Sr. High School. This summer at ISI I have refined my system of marking standard English errors on final drafts, and timed writing works, in conjunction with tracking student proficiency."

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Heather Poston

"I teach English 9, AP Literature, and Student Publications at Alexandria-Monroe High School. I have really enjoyed being immersed in writing and theory, and collaborating with so many amazing educators. I have rediscovered a love for writing that I’m excited to share with my students."

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Karla Riggin

"I teach 7th grade science at Selma Middle School. I will implement a writing strategy known as RAFTS into my science curriculum. I love to inspire my students to work smarter, not harder. Integrating writing and science does just that using creativity and imagination for communication."

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Julie Rinker-Bailey

"I teach English 9 and Muncie Central High School. I am a writer now!"

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Sarah Sandman

"I teach composition at Ball State. During ISI I learned how to better implement Writer’s Workshop into my classroom and how to conference with my students more effectively."

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Jodie Scales

"I teach 7th grade Language Arts at Selma Middle School. I will start the school year out with Fletcher’s book on the Writer’s Notebook. The Writer’s Notebook will be my catalyst into a true Writer’s Workshop environment."

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Emily Standridge

"I teach 1st year composition at Ball State. I’ve learned the important of playing with language."

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Jamie Stapleton

"I teach 8th grade Language Arts at Alexandria-Monroe high School. Through Writing Project, I have learned the importance of choice and audience not just for students, but for all writers."

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Carolyn Story

"I am a vocational teacher of the Dental Health Careers at the Muncie Area Career Center. I have learned many writing to learn strategies that will enhance my students’ comprehension of my content area. I can’t wait to implement some of these strategies with my upcoming class and see the positive results they will bring! I consider the new friendships I have made to be priceless!"

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Megan Wallace

"I teach junior and senior elective courses and AP Language and Composition. During ISI I’ve learned the importance of showing ourselves as writers to our students."