The Writing Project is dedicated to improving students’ writing and learning in kindergarten through university classrooms. The Invitational Summer Institute is the centerpiece of the Writing Project’s work with teachers. We bring together up to 20 experienced teachers and administrators, K-college in all subject areas, to share their knowledge and productive teaching practices and to make knowledge about and instructional practices for how writing can best be taught and used in the classroom.

The SI provides opportunities for teachers to develop and demonstrate dialogic writing and meaningful communication. Tuition remission, six hours of graduate level credit, a $1,000 stipend, fellowship, and fun are all included.
Click on the link to learn more. Contact Amy Berman at 301-405-5978 or aberman2@umd.edu to register.

The Summer Institute

• Who should apply? Fully credentialed teachers with interest and experience in teaching writing. A minimum of three years of teaching experience is expected.
• Pre-Institute Orientation Meeting:  May 3, 2008 (9-3)
  Summer Institute: June 23-July 17, Mon-Thurs, 8:30AM-3PM (and two follow-up meetings TBA)
  Institute involves completing 6 graduate credits through UMCP
• Institute meets at a PDS site near UMCP
• Fellowships to cover tuition and additional stipends are available.

Apply Now!

The heart of the institute is the opportunity to experience and reflect on successful classroom practices in teaching writing and using writing to learn. In a highly collaborative setting, we will share our teaching practices, examine current research in the field, hear from guest speakers and engage in personal and professional writing. In doing so, we will look closely at effective teaching strategies in a wide range of areas, such as:

• Teaching academic writing
• Using writing to advance multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary learning
• Teaching English Language Learners
• Addressing issues of equity
• Incorporating technology

At the conclusion of the Summer Institute, Fellows become Writing Project Teacher Consultants and part of the Writing Project community — a lively, collegial network that offers resources and programs for continued professional growth. Teacher Consultants also have leadership opportunities in a range of National Writing Project activities which typically include: professional development programs, summer programs for teachers, Young Writers’ Camps, teacher research programs, Saturday Seminar sessions, special interest groups and more.

We invite you to apply for the Summer Institute. Come to…

• deepen your understanding of literacy instruction
• reflect on your beliefs and practices
• discover and enrich yourself as a writer
• prepare and share your expertise with other teachers
• join a network of professional colleagues
• revitalize and renew yourself

Application and Selection Process

The application process includes the submission of the application and an interview where we ask candidates to discuss their teaching practices and bring examples of student work.

• Applications are due by. March 24, 2008.
• Co-Directors will review the applications and select candidates for interviews for the fellowships.
• The interviews will take place on April 12, 2008.
• Candidates will be notified of fellowship awards after selection. .

If you have any questions, call or email Joseph McCaleb at his UMCP office:
            301-405-3133 or email at   jlm@umd.edu

 

Apply Now:  Send the following via US mail or by e-mail attachment.
(If sending as an e-mail attachment, please send in Microsoft Word format.)

• A brief vita or resume which includes the following information: name, home address, school address, phone numbers, e-mail address, educational background, teaching, professional development, and/or any writing experience.
  • On a separate page, describe how you teach writing and/or use writing as a learning tool in your classroom.  In a paragraph or two, focus on an approach, a lesson, or an assignment that you think really worked.  Please also tell us about your students, your classroom, and the community in which you teach. 

    The Summer Institute is selective, so please take time to write this description carefully.

    Please Note!! Applications are NOT complete until the two items described above (the resume and writing narrative) are sent to:
     jlm@umd.edu (in Microsoft Word attachment)            or
    Joseph McCaleb, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Benjamin Bldg 2311, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742