The mission of NeWP is to improve writing and the teaching of writing throughout Nebraska.

LITERATURE SUMMER INSTITUTE

Open to teachers of all grade levels. Past participation in a NeWP Summer or Rural Institute is preferred. This Institute explores the teaching of literature in a writing-rich environment.The 2011 Literature Institute will have a special focus on Native American Literature. Institute activities include:

1.Immersion in reading and in our own writing;

2.Shared examination of the connections between literature and writing in our teaching;

3.Collaborative research on reading/writing pedagogies; institutional and professional issues; new genres, media, technologies and resources for joining reading and writing.

FACILITATORS

Fran Kaye, UNL

Jessica Rivera, UNL

Cathie English, Aurora High School

4th Facilitator TBA

Nebraska Writing Project

LiTERATURE Summer INSTITUTe

Special Focus:

NativE American Literature

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

June 6th-June 24th, 2011

1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the NeWP and its exciting programs, visit our website:

The Nebraska Writing Project

The Nebraska Writing Project is a network of teachers, kindergarten through college, devoted to the improvement of writing and the teaching of writing. Our core beliefs are:

1.The best teachers of writing are writers themselves.

2.Teachers provide the best instruction for other teachers.

3. Anyone, no matter their ability level, can improve their writing in a supportive context with other practicing writers.

4. True school reform comes through democratic partnerships across grade levels.

5.Teachers, students and communities benefit when teachers form networks with other teachers and draw on collective expertise.

The National Writing Project

NeWP is Nebraska’s oldest site of the National Writing Project. Currently, the National Writing Project has nearly 200sites nation-wide, and generates over 100,000 program hours per year. For more information, visit the National website at:

INSTITUTEActivities

Freewriting from literature

Writing from, of, and about literature

Participant-facilitated discussion of questions regarding the relationship between reading and writing

Small group discussions of participants’ reading and writing

Shared readings of selected literature and research on teaching literature through writing

Visits with local experts in teaching writing through literature and vice versa

STIPEND

Nebraska teachers admitted to the Literature Summer Institute may qualify for a $250 stipend which helps offset the cost of 3 UNL graduate credits.

“If you can’t understand what you read when you first read a text, it may be evidence that this is a text especially worth reading, because it is telling you something you don’t already understand conceptually and the process of figuring it out will constitute a process of advancing or deepening your vision”
─Sheridan Blau, The Literature Workshop

HOW TO APPLY

You will need to complete a two-page letter of application. Please include the following information:

  • What you are currently doing with writing in your classroom.
  • What you might have to share with other educators about teaching writing in your school and community.
  • What you especially want to learn from other educators.
  • Please provide complete addresses for home and school, phone numbers, and an e-mail address if available.

Early admissions applications must be received by November 12thwith notification by December 17th, 2010.

Open admission applications must be received by March 7thwith notification by April 18th, 2011. Please indicate the institute to which you are applying.

Submit completed application to:

Dr. Robert Brooke, Director

Nebraska Writing Project

202 Andrews Hall, UNL

Lincoln, NE 68588-0333

(402) 472-1807