Illinois State Writing Project

05/03/2022

Join us for the summer 2022 Leadership Institute of the Illinois State Writing Project! (Eng. 409.06; "The Writing Project") Click above on "Send Email" to contact Bob Broad about the content of the course and how to register. This summer, the Institute runs from Wed., July 6 through Thursday, July 21 (9am to 3pm daily). You'll be able to participate online and/or hopefully also in person. (Remember in-person learning?)

02/06/2022

The power of writing goes far beyond the joy of composing and sharing stories. We love this tale of creativity, audacity, intrigue, and contagious literary success. As they often do, librarians played a crucial role in moving this young author's story from contraband to high-demand item. Brave spelling (formerly called "invented spelling") was likewise essential.

Dillon Helbig, a second-grader from Idaho, wrote an 81-page book about his “Crismis” adventures. Now other children want to write stories.

05/13/2021

We're excitedly preparing to work with some of you in our Summer 2021 Leadership Institute (Eng. 409.06) June 7-24! Remember the May 20 deadline for applying for graduate tuition waivers (just click on the link below). If your school/district won't fully cover the costs of your professional education, then ISU will try to help!

Students will complete an application form and submit it to the Graduate Secretary. We strongly recommend that students submit applications before the semester of the award begins; however, they are welcome any time up to the last date acceptable in the University. Forms may be downloaded from this....

05/05/2021

In our world, every week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Still, in this hardest year ever for teachers, let's take a moment to sing out: "THANK YOU, TEACHERS!"

04/30/2021

Our Teacher-Consultants say the Leadership Institute (Eng. 409.06, "The Writing Project") is like three four-day weeks of teaching, except all that time time is devoted to *your* interests as a teacher and to this tight-knit professional community. You get three weeks to read, learn, think, laugh, and write about things that are important to you and your teaching craft. And you join the growing professional network of ISWP Teacher-Consultants. Click "Send Email" to learn more.

04/08/2021

A promising new resource from NCTE: "What Works in Writing Instruction: Research and Practice, 2nd edition." "Using teacher-friendly language and classroom examples, Deborah Dean looks at instructional practices supported by a broad range of research and weaves them together into accessible recommendations that can inspire teachers to find what works for their own classrooms and students." https://store.ncte.org/book/what-works-writing-instruction-research-and-practice-second-edition

04/05/2021

Anonymous course evaluation from summer 2020: "The Illinois State Writing Project is the best professional development I've ever experienced as a teacher. I feel re energized, motivated, and ready for this next school year because of this class. This class reminded me that I do know a lot just from being a teacher and I was able to pursue answers that I cared about within my own pedagogy to continue my degree with professional development that matters and makes a difference." Click "Send Email" to learn more about our Leadership Institute (Eng. 409.06, "The Writing Project").

04/01/2021

We recently discovered this book by Thomas Newkirk, a tribute to Donald Graves, who revolutionized the teaching of writing to children in the early grades. See Graves's landmark 1983 book "Writing: Teachers and Children at Work."

Donald Graves and the Revolution in Children's Writing

03/19/2021

Highly recommended: "Why Write?" by Paul Auster, from the New Yorker Magazine way back in 1995.

From 1995, the author answers the age-old question in a series of five subjects: a film, a fall, a storm, a note, and a game.

01/20/2021

Welcome to the 2021 season of the Illinois State Writing Project: "Writing Adventures"! Summer 2021 will include two important events: For teachers, the Summer Leadership Institute June 7-24 (Mondays through Thursdays). For young authors, the Young Writers Camp June 14-18 (Monday through Friday). Click on "Send Email" to inquire about details. Please help us spread the word!

12/22/2020

Consider joining some of these 75-minute "Mindful Writing" sessions Saturday mornings from January 9 through February 13, 2021. You don't need to attend them all; you can register for as few or as many as you like. "This series will help teachers refuel and find balance as we take the turn into a new year."

The future seems brighter, but at the same time, increasingly more is asked of teachers. We face furloughs, policy changes, and classrooms that are online one day and in-person the next – all the while needing to grade, prepare lessons, and serve the emotional needs and well-being of our students....

11/24/2020

The Illinois State Writing Project is proud to be among 109 Writing Project sites nationally who offered professional education to support teachers in making the transition to remote instruction this year. The whole National Writing Project network provided a total of 3,343 hours of professional education in support of teachers since the onset of the pandemic.

The power of writing extends beyond the classroom: expanding learning, impacting local communities, and helping build our common future. Here is a sample of our stories of impact