Central Texas Writing Project Digital Writing Institute Lori Assaf, Ph.D., Director Co-Directors Cynthia Vetter, M.A., Co-Director Sharon O’Neal Ph.D., Co-Director RR Liz Stephens, Ph.D., Co-Director ISI Joel Johnson, M.Ed., Co-Director ISI Jennifer Woollven, M.Ed., Tech Liaison

Central Texas Writing Project National Writing Project Site Promotes writing in K-College settings Based on teachers-teaching-teachers model Summer institute at Texas State University San Marcos and RR Campus Over 200 Teacher Consultants since 1998 in 12 school districts

National Writing Project Mission: Improve student achievement by improving the teaching of writing and improving learning in the nation’s schools. Only national network to focus on writing severing more than 2 million teachers since Co-directed by faculty from the local university and from K–12 schools, local sites serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. National research studies have confirmed significant gains in writing performance among students of teachers who have participated in NWP programs.

National Writing Project Sites

National Writing Project Principles Writing instruction begins in kindergarten and continues through university. Effective teachers of writing are writers Exemplary teachers make the best teachers of other teachers. Teachers are the key to reform in education. Knowledge about the teaching of writing comes from many sources: theory and research, the analysis of practice, and the experience of writing.

NWP in TEXAS: 12 Sites in Texa s Central Texas Writing Project – Texas State University-San Marcos Heart of Texas Writing Project – University of Texas, Austin North Star of Texas Writing Project – University of North Texas, Denton Pearl of the Concho Writing Project – Angelo State University, San Angelo Sabal Palms Writing Project – University of Texas, Brownsville Sam Houston State University Writing Project- University of Houston San Antonio Writing Project – University of Texas, San Antonio South Texas Writing Project – Texas A&M, Laredo Texas Bluebonnet Writing Project – University of Texas, Arlington West Texas Writing Project – University of Texas, El Paso East Texas Writing Project - Texas A & M University- Texarkana Costal Bend Writing Project: Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Digital Writing Summer Institute Participants selected through application and interview process June – August F2F, Online Participants receive up to 6 hours graduate credit Participants receive stipend for iPads and ebooks. Participants provided dormitory space, if needed

Summer Institute F2F Activities Daily Activities Journal Writing Author’s Chair Reading & Discussions Demonstrations Response Groups Daily Log Writing Autobiographical Experimental Reflections I-Search I-Search Multimedia Presentation Collaborative Book Review

Online Activities  Reading and responding to professional book online.  Collaborative book review.  Research and write I-Search paper.  Design digital project for I-Search  Exploring multiple apps for student writing.  Developing digital writing assessment tools.

Benefits Learn strategies from each other Explore a topic of interest Explore classroom research possibilities Improve self-image as writers Share memories, fears, hopes, and goals Develop friendships Eat wonderful food

Continued Support Post-Institute Meetings Teacher’s Conference Summer Young Writers Camp Teacher Consulting Service Continued Professional Development Writing Retreats Inquiry Groups and Study Groups Online Resources from NWP and CTWP

Professional Development  Full and Half Day Workshops  After School Series  Coaching and Modeling  Teacher Inquiry Groups and Study Groups  Open Institutes with graduate credit optional  Individually catered to needs  Administrators, Teachers, K- 16, across all curriculum  Support staff Special education educators English Language Learner educators  Family outreach coordinators Title One teachers Literacy coaches Professional development Coordinators

Current & Past Projects  Chapa Middle School Writing in the Content Areas (6-8 th grades)  Eanes ISD Yearlong Writing Institute (Pre-K – 12 th grades)  Inquiry and I-Search Study Group (K-12 th grades)  Digital Is: Writing with the Digital Pen (3 rd -college)  San Marcos High School Disciplinary Writing (all content areas)  Culturally Mediated Writing Instruction: Helping English Language Learners Writing Development (4-8 th grades)  Digital Storytelling: Creating Digital Stories For and With Our Students (4 th -12 grades)  Comal ISD District-Wide Writing Initiative (K-12)  Santa Cruz Catholic School Yearlong Writing Workshop (K- 6)  Kwazulu-Natal Writing Institute Durban, South Africa

Leadership Opportunities  Technology  Professional Development  Young Writers’ Camps  Teachers’ Conference  Study Groups  Local and National Advocacy  Writing Retreats  Fund Raising

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