Mini-Grants

Mini-grants now accepted and awarded three times a school year, October, January, and March.
 * Upper Peninsula Writing Project**
 * Mini Grant Information**

The Upper Peninsula Writing Project (UPWP) has the opportunity to offer several mini grants to UPWP Teacher Consultants (TCs), as a result of their overall funding from the National Writing Project (NWP). The mini-grants are to fund professional development opportunities for T.C.’s and their colleagues. Teachers are able to request project funds not to exceed **$500 (per project)**, **to provide professional development** in the teaching of literacy across the curriculum. While the funds from this grant can be used to buy materials, equipment, substitute costs, or conference fees; it cannot be used to fund travel expenses or classroom materials that are not a part of a professional development project.

**Mini Grant recipients will be chosen by the UPWP Leadership Team based upon the following criteria:**
 * 1) Quality of the professional learning to take place as a result of the project
 * 2) Opportunity for UPWP T.C.’s to develop new knowledge and skills that lead to leadership opportunities with the UPWP and local districts
 * 3) Thoroughness and thoughtfulness of the project design and alignment with the UPWP philosophy of “teachers teaching teachers”

**Follow-up Requirements:**
 * 1) Mini Grant recipients are required to develop a presentation for the MARESA Fall Conference, UPRA Conference or another conference. A member of the UPWP Leadership Team will help with the development of the presentation and conference proposal. The presentation will summarize their PD experience and project outcomes.
 * 2) Mini Grant recipients will submit a written post-project summary.
 * 3) The mini grant recipients may be interviewed for the UPWP newsletter.

Applications are due no later than **October 10, January 10 or March 10**. An electronic copy can be submitted but please be aware that an administrator's signature is required. Mail or email your application to:

Dr. Mark Smith masmith@nmu.edu UPWP Director Department of English 1401 Presque Isle Avenue Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI 49855 906-227-2676


 * __Mini-grant Application__**

__ 2009 __

Mini grant funded two book studies: one on reading workshop; the other on effective grammar instruction and provided recourses to assist in mapping plans for literacy instruction.
 * Kim Parlato – Reading Zone and Grammar Book Study**

Mini grant funded purchase of literacy reference books to support development of the teaching of writing in grades K-2. Also supported development of school writing plan.
 * Brianna Bancroft – Professional Development with Writing**

__ 2008 __

Mini grant funded the ongoing collaboration of a K-5 MAPS professional learning community by providing money for substitutes and food costs.
 * Gloria Balmes – Assessing Student Work**

Mini grant funded 6 + 1 Traits of Writing resources for the K-5 MAPS professional learning community.
 * Erin Donovan – Assessing Student Work – resource materials**

__ 2007 __

Mini grant funded two teachers to attend a Power Writing training and look at the effective traits of writing.
 * Anne Mohar Schumer – Teachers Teaching Teachers to Teach the Traits**

Mini grant funds purchased materials from France to create a lending library for foreign language teachers and use in the classroom.
 * Shannon Ruiz – French Reading and Writing Exchange**

Mini grant funded books and sub costs for small learning community of K-5 teachers.
 * Kathryn Russell – Using the Collaborative Assessment Conference Model to Look at Student Work, a follow up to Kathleen Reddy Butkovich’s training workshop.**

Mini grant funded this collaboration between MAPS and the UPWP to continue the CAC work analyzing student writing samples.
 * Marsha Page – Looking at Student Work**