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.