REVWP Summer Institute: Where We Are All Writers
The REVWP Summer Institute is a 3-credit course offered at the Warsaw Campus of Rappahannock Community College through the College of William & Mary. During the three weeks class is in session, you will write, learn new ways of looking at and teaching writing, write, prepare a professional presentation for peers, write, make new professional connections, and, of course, write.
We become writers by writing, and our students learn to write by having writers as teachers. This is the core foundation of the Summer Institute (and the Writing Project as a whole). The REVWP Summer Institute prepares its students to return to school in the fall full of ideas and inspiration, ready and willing to find authentic, meaningful ways to incorporate writing into all content areas and grade levels.
Not only does each participant leave with new instructional tools and techniques, each participant also departs with a new, transformed identity, having fully embraced the role of writer. Participants leave able and excited to share their writing talents with their students.
We become writers by writing, and our students learn to write by having writers as teachers. This is the core foundation of the Summer Institute (and the Writing Project as a whole). The REVWP Summer Institute prepares its students to return to school in the fall full of ideas and inspiration, ready and willing to find authentic, meaningful ways to incorporate writing into all content areas and grade levels.
Not only does each participant leave with new instructional tools and techniques, each participant also departs with a new, transformed identity, having fully embraced the role of writer. Participants leave able and excited to share their writing talents with their students.
A Day In the Life of a Summer Institute Participant:
I can smell the coffee all the way from the hall. Thank goodness!
We enter the room, have our breakfast (so kindly provided by one of the group members each day), and then have our Morning Meeting. During the meeting, we may read an article or story, which we discuss...and boy can we discuss!
Next, someone will share their Journal Entry, providing some type of running commentary on the day before. Sometimes people are clever. Other times, people are straightforward, just trying to get done with as little used paper as possible. Both are equally well received in our happy, non-judgemental, coffee-infused group.
We were given two books to read prior to beginning the Institute, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, and 50 Writing Tools, by someone whose name escapes me at present. Today we will meet with our assigned group to prepare to discuss 'Natalie', as we so fondly refer to 'her'.
After lunch, which can range anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how well the group handles time-management and following directions, members of the William & Mary site come and present Demonstration Projects or writing theme presentations. Eventually, we will do our own Demonstration Presentations, but that will come in time...a few days.
Time moves fast, as does the pen, here at the Summer Institute. What I've learned is that I am actually enjoying writing more and more with each piece I write; I've even begun keeping a journal at home. I learn so much each day, both from the presentations aimed at instructional practice, and from the writing craft lessons that help to make me a better writer. As my enthusiasm for writing grows, so does my desire to teach it well. I guess the Writing Institute has done its job!
We enter the room, have our breakfast (so kindly provided by one of the group members each day), and then have our Morning Meeting. During the meeting, we may read an article or story, which we discuss...and boy can we discuss!
Next, someone will share their Journal Entry, providing some type of running commentary on the day before. Sometimes people are clever. Other times, people are straightforward, just trying to get done with as little used paper as possible. Both are equally well received in our happy, non-judgemental, coffee-infused group.
We were given two books to read prior to beginning the Institute, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, and 50 Writing Tools, by someone whose name escapes me at present. Today we will meet with our assigned group to prepare to discuss 'Natalie', as we so fondly refer to 'her'.
After lunch, which can range anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how well the group handles time-management and following directions, members of the William & Mary site come and present Demonstration Projects or writing theme presentations. Eventually, we will do our own Demonstration Presentations, but that will come in time...a few days.
Time moves fast, as does the pen, here at the Summer Institute. What I've learned is that I am actually enjoying writing more and more with each piece I write; I've even begun keeping a journal at home. I learn so much each day, both from the presentations aimed at instructional practice, and from the writing craft lessons that help to make me a better writer. As my enthusiasm for writing grows, so does my desire to teach it well. I guess the Writing Institute has done its job!
How to Be Part of the REVWP Summer Institute 2011
For more information, an application, specific course number, course cost, or any other questions about this National Writing Project-affiliated Summer Institute course offered through The College of William and Mary, please contact:
Susan Swift, REVWP Instructor
e-mail: [email protected]
School Telephone: (804) 580-8032
School Address:
Northumberland Elementary School
757 Academic Lane
Heathsville, VA 22473
Susan Swift, REVWP Instructor
e-mail: [email protected]
School Telephone: (804) 580-8032
School Address:
Northumberland Elementary School
757 Academic Lane
Heathsville, VA 22473
