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minnesota writing project
center for writing
mwp.umn.edu
center for writing
mwp.umn.edu
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.
Sonja OlsonGrade you teach: 9-12, but mainly 10th grade
School: Johnson High School
Teacher website: (follow me on Twitter instead) Twitter @SonjaTweeting
Summer Institute Writing: Reviews and Questions for a Multicultural Classroom Library
Summer Institute Demonstration: Poetry through the Class and Social Power Lens (.pdf file)
What are your beliefs about writing? I believe writing opens doors to the rest of the world. Communicating effectively through writing makes moving through our academic, professional, and personal lives just a little bit easier. On the other hand, writing opens me to myself. I know that not everybody sees writing as an act of creating one's self. For me though, writing shows me my own emotions; my journals take my rantings, then turn to me saying, "Here, this is what you value. This is what you want most of all."
What is a book on writing or the teaching of writing that you would recommend (and why)? In the summer, I relax, rejuvenate, and read as much as possible. Once Labor Day comes, I find it very hard to find the time to reference a writing text! However, every year, I use writing prompts from Writing: Warm-up Activities (The Daily Spark). I especially like prompt that asks the kids to imagine the life of a dollar bill, and write a story about it in first person.
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.
on MWP Connect 
Register for the MWP Open Institute CI 5410: Writing for Social Justice, which will take place in June 2013.
Visit our News & Events page for more information.
Check out our Center for Writing alumni pages!
