August 1, 2007
First Impressions
So far, so good...right? The beginnings of a new journey are often filled with excitement, eagerness, trepidation, and maybe even resistance. As you have probably started to realize, this journey will be like no other. What are your first impressions of the 2007 Milwaukee Writing Project Institute? Is it what you expected?
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13 comments:
The MWP has exceeded my expectations thus far. I came into the Project hoping to learn how to gain confidence as a writer myself, as well as how to teach writing in my classroom. I was pleasantly surprised to receive information on Writer's Workshop, because that is what I truly hope/plan to implement in my 7th grade Lang. Arts class this coming year! I also am really enjoying the demonstration and application of strategies such as "Checking In" reading "My Name" and responding to it, etc. I truly feel I have learned so much already and I look forward to putting these new skills and strategies to work!
The Writing Project has me excited. We are all at different places in our travels as teachers and I appreciate the variety of experiences and personalities that I am being exposed to. I did not expect the offers of resources to help me get Writer's Workshop started in my school. Also, unlike other professional development classes I have attended, this one promises to offer future opportunities for growth and education.
Brad,
I'm thoroughly enjoying the Milwaukee Writing Project. It is surpassing my expectations. I am now convinced that community building is crucial, because I have experienced it firsthand. I look forward to each community building experience and writing circles. I've always loved to teach writing workshop, but now am even ENJOYING my own private writing time in my beautiful "butterfly" journal. I was a caterpillar egg just hatching into a caterpillar. Now I feel as though I am in a chrysalis just waiting to emerge!!!! I wish I would have been part of this project earlier in my career, but better late than never. My goal is to help other teachers and students experience the beauty of community building, writing workshop, and writing circles.
I am truly grateful to all the participants who have taught me so much in just four days! I eagerly anticipate the future.
Karen Murawski
Konez stated it really well by saying, "We are all at different places in our travels as teachers and I appreciate the variety of experiences and personalities that I am being exposed to." My position in the education field has varied in the past several years. Most recently, I have been training adults in behavior/crisis management through the Crisis Prevention Institute. This fall I am returning to the elementary classroom and wanted some practical ideas that I could use. I was pleasantly suprised on how useful the strategies presented in the Milwaukee Writing Project class really are! I am excited about implementing many of these activites this year and I can't wait to learn some more in the coming weeks!
I, too, have really enjoyed the first week of the writing institute. I have been using writer's workshop for many years, but find myself to be invigorated by the new ideas from the first week as well as the voices and experiences of all of you as writing workshop participants. I was especially impressed with Joan Lopresti's presentation on genre study in writing. I love that we are learning from each other as well as from those who've attend the writing institute in past years.
When I first came to the Writing Project I had the usual concerns about a new class, but the burning question for me was whether or not I would learn new things. And I have learned lots of new things. Thank you to everyone! The community building has been powerful and given me some new ideas. My writing/reading circle has been extremely supportive and informative. Our discussion groups and guest speakers have shared good experiences. It is energizing to become a member of a dynamic professional group. I am looking forward to the next two weeks.
I have always wondered what "The Writing Project" was all about. Now that I know a little about it, I can honestly say that I am excited about the possibilities for my classroom and grateful for this summer experience with such great classmates and teachers.
What I really like about this approach is the student-centered nature of everything that is done. Students are viewed as writers and encouraged to view themselves as writers. Students' work is shared, respected and published. Students learn by writing, reflecting and getting honest feedback from others - not from some adult talking at them from the front of the room. Students generate the topics they want to write about and are given the chance to build a community of trust with the other students in their group. Students provide the feedback and response to each other's writing.
I also like "The Writing Project" for its expectations for teachers. In this model, teachers write and share their writing, and grow as writers along with their students.
The workshop approach seems very powerful and I can't wait to try it out in my own classroom.
I was very unsure of what to expect from The Writing Project. The past two years of teaching have been very overwhelming (and very negative) for me where I felt for the first time in my career as if I truly was not making any progress or was needed/valued within my building. I recognized that I needed to do something for me to try to change those circumstances as it was obvious I was going to get no assistance from within my school. While MWP will not be the end-all, be-all answer, it has given me some new ideas to try and rejuvenate some of the joy I found in teaching English in years prior.
This fall I will be running my Science Fiction and Fantasy classes as Writer's Workshops, and I have convinced one of my fellow department members to jump on board for a class that we will both be teaching next year: Contemporary American Literature. Baby steps . . .
Lou Ann, you mentioned the student-centered nature of the Writing Project philosophy. Something has happened in the last few years of NCLB that has taken us farther away from student focus as each year passes. To be accountable to our administrators, our taxpayers, and most importantly, our students, we must find a way to help students progress on their literacy path. Differentiation is the buzz word that is most often used to mean that each student requires lessons and activities that move them forward. As hard as we try, there is no formula, schedule or protocol that services all students in the same way at the same time. But wait! Writer's Workshop in conjunction with genre study and keeping academic notes might just do the trick. I am a little intimidated by the organization of it all, but I am also encouraged by the excellent preparation we're receiving from MWP. I suppose I'm more excited than intimidated, which is better than the vice versa!
I am pleased and amazed at both the volume and variety of student friendly(non-threatening- yes, you are a writer)ideas and strategies! The icing on the proverbial cake is that many of these strategies are modeled by Jim, Elise and/or invited presenters. This is great! But, the fact that I get to be in a writer's place for most of my day is just simply sheer delight.
Ditto to Missy's "exceeded my expectations." Karen's surpassing my expectations."Konez's "excited."
and Katy's "pleasently surprised."
MWP Summer 07 Master Teachers: I am so impressed and energized by this group! For the past six days I have been hearing the voices of quality teachers. Your shared readings and comments and your willingness to participate enthusiastically in the activities, emphasize your heart's intent to better help your students. You are most definitely teacher leaders. It is a pleasure and privilege to be working with each and every one of you!
The National Writing Project has become a great warm up to the school year. Each activity offers writing, reading, and community building strategies that stretch my mind. I find myself brainstorming new plans for the classroom and ways to implement the strategies with students of various ages. Plus, I love the fact that we write each day. I’m hoping to maintain the habit after the three weeks are over. My initial impressions of the Writing Project include comfort in the reinforcement of resources and support this group will offer as we return to our own buildings and districts with ideas for growth in professional development and curriculum.
The MWP given me many strategies I will share with teachers and model in classrooms throughout grades 1 -8. There are many opportunities to practice writing in various genres and get feedback to hone my writing skills which will support me as a teacher of writing. I look forward to learning much more.
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