Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Web Resource: Read * Write * Think
There's so much on the web these days that it is difficult to sort out the useful resources from the junk. At ReadWriteThink (resources for reading and language arts), the International Reading Association (IRA) and National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) do the quality control for us. If you haven't surfed this site lately, I think it is worth a look. The lessons, web resources, and student materials may add some inspiration to tired lessons or refresh strategies needing a new twist.
http://www.readwritethink.org/index.asp
http://www.readwritethink.org/index.asp
Putting the "Author" in "Authority"
I think this would be a great way to promote writing with our secondary students. Check out the full article.
Putting the “Author” in “Authority”
Publication: Eureka Reporter Date: November 2, 2007
Summary: In this issue of his monthly column for the Eureka Reporter, Bob Sizoo of the Redwood Writing Project tells how he inspires students by revealing that they can gain authority over their lives through writing.
While pointing out that the words “author” and “authority” come from the same root, Sizoo quotes George Orwell to his students: “If you can not write well, you can not think well, and if you can not think well, others will do your thinking for you.” He then explains to students how their writing skills will be critical to their college experience.
Sizoo codirected the Redwood Writing Project at Humboldt State University (HSU) in Northern California for 20 years. He is now Writing Programs Codirector for the site, coordinating their annual writing retreat each summer. For the last three years, he has been the Early Assessment Program Coordinator at the university, working with high school students and their teachers to reduce the need for remediation in college. He also teaches education classes to prospective elementary teachers at HSU, and supervises student teachers. With the goal of encouraging a more “college-going culture” among local youth, he writes a monthly column for the local newspaper, the Eureka Reporter, entitled On College Going.
Read the full article in the Eureka Reporter.
http://eurekareporter.com/node/93722
Putting the “Author” in “Authority”
Publication: Eureka Reporter Date: November 2, 2007
Summary: In this issue of his monthly column for the Eureka Reporter, Bob Sizoo of the Redwood Writing Project tells how he inspires students by revealing that they can gain authority over their lives through writing.
While pointing out that the words “author” and “authority” come from the same root, Sizoo quotes George Orwell to his students: “If you can not write well, you can not think well, and if you can not think well, others will do your thinking for you.” He then explains to students how their writing skills will be critical to their college experience.
Sizoo codirected the Redwood Writing Project at Humboldt State University (HSU) in Northern California for 20 years. He is now Writing Programs Codirector for the site, coordinating their annual writing retreat each summer. For the last three years, he has been the Early Assessment Program Coordinator at the university, working with high school students and their teachers to reduce the need for remediation in college. He also teaches education classes to prospective elementary teachers at HSU, and supervises student teachers. With the goal of encouraging a more “college-going culture” among local youth, he writes a monthly column for the local newspaper, the Eureka Reporter, entitled On College Going.
Read the full article in the Eureka Reporter.
http://eurekareporter.com/node/93722
Getting It Just Write
On January 20, 2008, The Washington Times published an article of interest quoting our own National Writing Project executive director emeritus. It is worth reading.
Summary: In an age of high-tech communications and declining newspaper sales, it may seem as if good writing is a thing of the past. But Richard Sterling, executive director emeritus of the National Writing Project, says cutting-edge technology—contrary to what some might think—has only improved writing.
Excerpt from Article:
If anything, [Sterling] says, the general state of writing has only improved since more and more people are going to school: In the 1950s, just 50 percent of children graduated from high school; now close to 90 percent do. Also in the 1950s, just 15 percent of the population went on to higher education; now that number is close to 70 percent.
"I think the idea that writing used to be better is pure nostalgia," Mr. Sterling says.
Read the Full Article
Read "Getting It Just Write" in The Washington Times.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080120/FAMILY/355878473/1016
Summary: In an age of high-tech communications and declining newspaper sales, it may seem as if good writing is a thing of the past. But Richard Sterling, executive director emeritus of the National Writing Project, says cutting-edge technology—contrary to what some might think—has only improved writing.
Excerpt from Article:
If anything, [Sterling] says, the general state of writing has only improved since more and more people are going to school: In the 1950s, just 50 percent of children graduated from high school; now close to 90 percent do. Also in the 1950s, just 15 percent of the population went on to higher education; now that number is close to 70 percent.
"I think the idea that writing used to be better is pure nostalgia," Mr. Sterling says.
Read the Full Article
Read "Getting It Just Write" in The Washington Times.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080120/FAMILY/355878473/1016
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Busy MBWP Fellows in 2008
The New Year has kicked off with more MBWP professional development facilitated by Dr. Mary Beth Culp. Mary Beth assisted as I presented Integrating Art and Writing: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words at Orchard Elementary School in Mobile; Sondra Thomas and Shana Collins presented Tone and Voice at Baker High School; and Maryetta Holcomb presented The Multi-Genre Research Paper at Baker High School.
In December, Tracy Davis presented Relax, Relate, and Write at Orchard Elementary School: couldn't we all use that?
In December, Tracy Davis presented Relax, Relate, and Write at Orchard Elementary School: couldn't we all use that?
November Professional Development
November was a busy month for MBWP Fellows: Janet Bridges presented Integrating Science, Math, and Writing at Maryvale Elementary; Bonita Harris presented Using Trade Books and Writing at Maryvale Elementary; and Jackie Wesson presented Teaching Vocabulary, Grammar, and Usage at J.E. Turner.
Mary Beth Culp and I attended the County Lead Writing Teachers' Meeting at Dodge Elementary School to share MBWP news with all who were there.
In Baldwin County, Angie Crawford presented Where We're From: Creating a Community of Writers, Collecting Authentic Voices at Rosinton Elementary School while Regina Dosset presented Where We're From: Creating a Community of Writers, Collecting Authentic Voices at Delta Elementary School.
GREAT WORK FELLOWS!
Mary Beth Culp and I attended the County Lead Writing Teachers' Meeting at Dodge Elementary School to share MBWP news with all who were there.
In Baldwin County, Angie Crawford presented Where We're From: Creating a Community of Writers, Collecting Authentic Voices at Rosinton Elementary School while Regina Dosset presented Where We're From: Creating a Community of Writers, Collecting Authentic Voices at Delta Elementary School.
GREAT WORK FELLOWS!
Kudos to Christa Stanley!
MBWP 2004 fellow Christa Stanley recently received the Partners in Education Liaison Award ~ 6 out of about 100 were chosen. She recruited 15 new partners for Semmes Middle School which had no partners before her involvement. Christa received a plaque and had her photo taken with Dr. Dodge at the annual Partners in Education breakfast at the Mobile Convention Center. Additionally, Christa has compiled binders of Character Education lessons for all 90 faculty members at Semmes Middle. This included some original lessons she wrote, in three different sets for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Thank You Dr. Mary Beth Culp!
As we begin a New Year, I would like to thank Dr. Mary Beth Culp who has served as Mobile Bay Writing Project founder, director, adviser, advocate, and friend. Without Mary Beth, MBWP would not have been created and continued. I look forward to working with Mary Beth and all fellows & friends in 2008 toward the goals of teaching, learning, and enjoying through various forms of literacy.
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