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minnesota writing project
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Minnesota Writing Project

The Minnesota Writing Project aims to improve K–college literacy in Minnesota. Housed within the Center for Writing at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MWP is the local site of the National Writing Project, an authorized provider of No Child Left Behind.

showcasing mwp teachers:

Much of what we read in the local education section of the newspaper describes shifting tests scores or school closings. It is infrequent that we are offered a peek into the mind and heart of teachers. Our new Teacher Showcase feature will give our recent ISI participants a chance to speak their mind about the teaching of writing and the need for quality professional development. Return often to read these profiles.

ZachariahZachariah Prowell
Grade: 3rd
School: Highlands Elementary
Teacher website: www.mrprowell.com
Summer Institute Writing: “Cycling Pedaled Thoughts” and “Dylan’s Diner”
Summer Institute Demonstration: Revision through Modeling Clay (.pdf file)

Reflections on teaching:
 How has the MWP experience impacted your teaching?
MWP opened my eyes to a world I never thought of as a typical writing experience. I grew up thinking I could not change the attitudes of many of my reluctant 3rd grade writers, and now I look forward to sharing how vast the world of writing can be for them.
What are your beliefs about writing?
Writing is an opportunity to help students not only capture a moment, but also explore the meaning of it and even create moments.
bookcover of Live WritingWhat is a book on writing or the teaching of writing that you would recommend (and why)?
Ralph Fletcher’s Live Writing: Breathing Life into Your Words (all of his books are wonderful). Being an elementary teacher, I find the tips and tools very applicable and full of ways to connect it to my students’ lives. With all the dry textbook resources out there, his style of writing is fun to read.

Believing that teachers can empower other teachers, members provide an environment in which teachers can learn from one another and then share that learning with others in their classrooms, departments, schools, and districts. MWP is committed to improving the literacy of all students, strengthening university and school collaboration on reading and writing instruction, and increasing the professional power of teachers in meeting state standards and the curricular demands of NCLB.

mwp

Identifies exemplary teachers who can teach other teachers

Encourages teachers to write

Assists schools and districts in identifying their literacy needs and supports them in meeting those needs through pertinent staff development

Supports long-term reform and improvement in literacy instruction through classroom-based, action research

Maintains partnerships between schools and the University

Promotes cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity and understanding within MWP

For additional information, see About MWP.

Contact

Muriel Thompson, Director
612.625.6323
murielt@umn.edu

The Minnesota Writing Project is funded in part by the Center for Writing, the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, and the National Writing Project.

Join us for more Saturday Sessions

Offered through a special collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education, these half-day workshops offer discussion and hands-on engagement with literacy topics.

11 February 2012: How to best support and expand argumentative/persuasive writing

31 March 2012: How best to weave narrative, poetry, and multigenre writing into academic texts

Visit our News & Events page for more information.

Check out our new Center for Writing alumni pages!