Oct+and+Nov+2009

Upper Peninsula Writing Project October-November 2009 Newsletter

The October and November newsletter are combined this month. At the recent Leadership Team meeting, we brainstormed more ideas for the newsletter and wikispace. Some of you may be asked to write a short paragraph to share your experience in a UPWP-NWP activity (Writing Marathon, Scoring Conference, Advanced Institute, etc.). If you're not asked, that doesn't mean we don't want your articles. Please submit them to Paula at pdiedrich@mapsnet.org We want to highlight everything that is going on and hear other TC's voices. 

TC Spotlights  Ann Chappell diligently interviewed TCs again this fall. The most recent additions to the TC Spotlight page are award-winning teachers. Take some time to learn about each of them. They have many ideas to share. If you know of a TC that deserves the "spotlight" please contact us.

Saturday Session--Change of Venue in Nov.   The remaining 2 Saturday Sessions dates are November 14 and December 12.  Remember this is a time for writing, sharing and venting. The November date will be held on the Finlandia campus thanks to Stephen Smith. Other Copper Country TCs are working behind the scene too. We hope to see many of you there. Watch for an email from Mark soon giving more specifics. In December Kara will share a brief view of what she learned while attending the WIDE Paths Technical Institute in early August.  

UPRA and MARESA Fall Conference (Presenters note below too)  Thank you to all TCs that shared their ideas at either UPRA or MARESA's Fall Conference! A huge thank you for TCs involved in planning these conferences also. Finally, the conference committee appreciates those of you that travel to Marquette to participate. Presenters, be sure to let Mark masmith@nmu.edu with the title of your presentation <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">and an approximate number of attendees. These numbers are used in our annual report to NWP and help us with our continued funding.

<span style="background-color: #008000; color: #ffff00; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 216%; text-align: center;">NWP Notes <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> NWP's mission and vision statements were revised recently. They can be viewed [|here.]

JOIN NWP'S BOOK GROUP NING FOR BILLY COLLINS DISCUSSION –– Billy Collins, former U.S. poet laureate and creator and editor of Poetry 180, will address the National Writing Project at this year's Annual Meeting. Can't wait? Join a discussion of Billy Collins' work on NWP's Book Group Network Ning prior to his appearance. The discussion begins October 23, but now is the time to join if you are not already a member. http://nwpbookgroups.ning.com/group/practicalpoetics

THE POWER OF YOUTH VOICE THROUGH DIGITAL MEDIA — Join NWP online or in Philadelphia for The Power of Youth Voice: What Kids Learn When They Create with Digital Media, November 18, 6-8 p.m. This free public forum is designed to open discussion to educators, parents, researchers, students, and community members about the potential of learning through engagement with digital media. Pre-registration is encouraged. http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/events/452

HOW DIGITAL MEDIA ENHANCES LEARNING AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL –– View videos and other resources from a recent congressional briefing on the role of digital media in improving lifelong learning. Held in conjunction with the MacArthur Foundation, the briefing featured presentations from NWP, the Consortium for School Networking, and Common Sense Media. http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/2961