Kim+Parlato


 * Kim Parlato** has been a fellow of the UPWP since 2002. Trained in the NWP Analytic Writing Continuum, she attended the scoring conference in Chicago with Paula Diedrich in September, 2008. They scored only one trait, structure. In June, 2009, she participated in the AWC grading conference hosted by the UPWP. Kim reports, **“I am enthralled by the Analytic Writing Continuum. From a writer's perspective, it has clarified many aspects of writing for me such that I can more effectively revise my own work. As a teacher of writing, I use the AWC to help me teach the tools of effective writing and as a guide for revision. All NWP teacher consultants should take advantage of learning how to use this continuum. The AWC is not simply a tool for evaluating writing, but a road map for what we should be teaching young writers to help them make their writing as powerful as it can be.”**

Kim has an MA in writing and pedagogy. She is a 7th grade language arts and science teacher at Bothwell Middle School. She also teaches a publishing elective and ecology-minded academic service learning class. “I love teaching middle school and feel a real sense that I'm in the right place,” commented Kim. Some of her prior experiences include teaching composition at NMU, botany and biology labs at CMU, and helping start up the Marquette Alternative High School. To see a little of what she's doing in her classroom, check out []

A few years ago she applied and received a UPWP grant, which allowed Bothwell's language arts department to buy books for a book study. “It was fantastic!" Kim said. We've all begun a similar reading program in each of our LA classes, and many of us are using our books to guide our teaching of writing too.” Kim mostly seeks out recommended book sites, such as the ALA and Nancie Atwell's student recommended reading. Outside the teaching arena she is a long distance runner, mountain and road biker, cross country skier, passionate gardener and naturalist, musician, writer, habitual asker of odd questions, and compulsive critical thinker. She and her husband, Tony, live off the grid (meaning there’s no internet at home) with their three dogs. “I am looking forward to raising chickens and goats on our 'homestead',” she added.

By Ann Chappel