Cheryl Kintner's Response to Our Awesome Workshops!

Lupe demonstrating how to use Writer's Notebooks.

 Beginning Writers need some extra help. I have a list of ideas that I can use. Spelling ideas for young writers is also helpful. Writing with music is possible. Responses written while listening to music would be a wonderful way to do a prompt. Handwriting in young children can be difficult to correct. Using strategies from Handwriting Without Tears, provides unique ways to help children. These were new to me. Picture books are wonderful ways to teach and provide writing examples for children. Writer's notebooks were introduced as ways to grow writing in students. I would like to use notebooks with my students. I think it would be really fun to personalize these notebooks in some way. I also appreciated the possible ways of grading a journal. My workshop was writing in the social studies area and I think I'll use the writing ideas and story ideas to expand the reading of Molly's Pilgrim.

Images of Week 3 NIWP

I Am From by Lupe into a Wordle

Rubrics by Virginia Elliot

 

Rubrics

rubrics do not replace good teaching
Students help design rubric.
Revise the rubric as the year goes by,
deleting, adding,
a rubric needs to be subject, development level appropriate


a rubric clarifies goals
a rubric designs instruction
a rubric communicates goals
a rubric guides feedback
a rubric guides the final product

a rubric can be used for
self evaluation
peer evaluation
teacher evaluation
ongoing evaluation
high lighted evaluation


Is the rubric valid?
Is the rubric reliable?
Is the rubric equal?

And yea for rubric web sites!!!!!!!

Did I hear behavior rubrics?


50 years ago my cousin said,
"All I learned to do in school today was stand in that stupid old line."

Hmm. Put that into a rubric?

Old Wooden Rocker

Old Wooden Rocker

There’s an old wooden rocker, golden honey in color
lovingly assembled by the hands of my father.
Smooth, rounded edges greet my touch as I trace
the arm where tiny fingers once rested.

Each nick, each scratch, each flaw in the wood
tell stories of comfort and of pleasure,
of children reading softly and of giggling laughter
years of rocking with dolls and with sisters.

The drawer beneath holds a secret hiding place
for dozens of trinkets and treasures –
Christmas ornaments and bracelets of beads
hidden…sometimes ‘til months later.

I hear melodies sung by children in years past
while they sat gently rocking in this chair.
Tunes of “Twenty Froggies” and “Twinkle Little Star”
warm my soul like a breath of summer air.

As I gaze upon this most cherished possession
I’m reminded of the meaningful bond
that joins my family together: mother, daughter, sister, father
Like the spindles holding tightly to this chair.

by Megan Cuellar

Peaches

Today in class we were talking about poems with a fruit theme. I remembered how much I loved this poem about peaches. Enjoy!

Peaches

A mouthful of language to swallow:

stretches of beach, sweet clinches,
breaches in walls, bleached branches;
britches hauled over haunches;
hunched leeches, wrenched teachers.
What English can do: ransack
the warmth that chuckles beneath
fuzzed surfaces, smooth velvet
richness, splashy juices.
I beseech you, peach,
clench me into the sweetness
of your reaches.
-Peter Davison

Sunnyside, Washington

 Sunnyside, Washington

I always like summer best.
You can eat corn right off the cob
from Mom & Dad’s garden
and ruby-red cherries
and juicy watermelon that runs down your chin
and blackened hotdogs
at backyard barbeques
and roast golden marshmallows that you eat in layers
at the fire pit
and run through the sprinklers
and play card games (like Phase Ten and Golf)
not only when you are 8 years old
but always.
by Megan Cuellar

Audrey's "I Am From"

I am from
I am from glass milk bottles,
From Nestles Flavor Sticks and five cent candy bars.
I am from the view of Mt. Rainier in the picture window
At 7443 South 128th Street,
with hardwood floors my father carefully laid
and covered with wall -to-wall carpet.
I am from the blueberry bushes transplanted from their Kent orchard home,
the cedar tree carefully smuggled in a paper sack as a seedling from Mt. Rainier National Park
whose long gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.
I’m from summer vacations at the Frank L. Motel in Grayland and busy bees,
from Al and Rita,
I’m from cleaning on Saturdays and visiting grandparents after church on Sundays,
and from playing Bean Bag Toss at picnics.
I’m from “You love to tease and he loves to fight!” and “No!”,
and Moon River.
I’m from chicken barbecued on the rotisserie until crispy done.
I’m from Seattle and Germany
Shoo Fly Pie and clam fritters made from just dug razor clams,
From my grandfather Poppy’s prank of teaching me to plant lollipop sticks
and waking up to find new ones grown.
I’m from my grandmother’s scar on her neck
from where her goiter was removed.
I treasure my mother’s white satin wedding dress with the long train, dad’s army uniform, and my yellow little chickadee recital costume.
Digging deeper there is an afghan of colorful squares crocheted by my grandmother, Mimi, and a wedding quilt, hand stitched and filled with wool from the neighbor’s sheep.
There are baby dresses of the type that needed to be ironed and wool shorts with suspenders,
all tucked in the warm wood cedar chest in the basement bedroom and in my heart.

By Audrey White

NIWP Welcomes a New Director

The Northwest Inland Writing Project welcomes Emily Duvall as our new director. Emily is an assistant professor in Curriculum and Instruction and Neuroscience  at the Coeur d'Alene campus of the University of Idaho. As Emily transitions into the position we sadly say good-bye to Rodney McConnell as he leaves Moscow. Thank you Rodney for your wisdom, vision, and humor. We will miss you.

Top Ten Important Things I've Learned About Revision

1. Revision occurs throughout the writing process, not just at the end.
2. Revision is not just changing a few words; it is an opportunity to change the big picture.
3. One reason to revise is to add vivid details so that the reader can "see" what's happening.
4. It can be very helpful to conference with peers and teachers during the revision process.
5. When revising, it's a good idea to look for long, boring passages that can be shrunk down to a sentence or two without losing anything (shrink a century).
6. It is also important to look for important moments in the writing that need to be emphasized more and add description (explode a moment).
7. Good revision requires deep thinking.
8. Knowing that you are going to revise allows you to get a first draft down on paper quickly, without worrying that it won't be perfect.
9. Revision is not a tedious, boring process. Instead, it is fun because you can see the improvement in the work.
10. One part of revision is moving words around, rearranging them like furniture.  by Cheryl Forster

I Am From

I AM FROM …

I am from old fickle vehicles,
From good intentions and boxed cereal,
I am from the high mountains of Arizona,
Small bedrooms and remodeled sawdust,
I am from the small dirt roads,
Divided by large gray boulders that wore holes in our backsides,
I am from the smell of warm needles from pines
Whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own.

I am from snowy Christmas holidays,
And sleeping relatives on the floor,
From frozen water and septic pipes,
And my dad reminding brave visitors that the shovel and tissue are propped by the front door.
I’m from endless card games and a two-channeled television
And from 150 assorted cheap cookies in a bag.

I am from instant milk and “steaks are for adults,”
And children’s bedtimes that are actually for parents who need time alone, together.
I am from long flannel nightgowns and big roaring fires,
I am from the lofty Hualapai Mountains,
The native land of the Tall Pine People, high in the Arizona air,
From endless summers of finding secret caves and tiger-striped kittens born in insulation boxes, of scraped knees and Bactine,
Of sleeping outside, long hikes of exploration, and dogs and cats following along,
And faith from the parents who always knew we’d come back tired.

by Shannon Henry

What Is Green?

Green is the lettuce, freshly washed from Cheryl's garden,
Green is the mini cucumbers, sliced thin and smelling fresh.
Green is spinach, and those healthy things that look like peas.
Green is a fresh lunch with a matching plate,
Prepared by the woman of NIWP!

Where I Am From by Virginia

I am from . . .

I am from rice cookers
With chopsticks and green tea
I am from a blended household of Africa and Asia
with creaking hardwood floors, white walls and straw mats
I am from annually nurtured tomato plants
And the fragrant purple honeysuckle,
Whose long gone limbs I remember
As if they were my own.

I’m from Sunday gatherings and vigorous conversations
From a duo of brothers and a quartet of sisters.
I am from sunup steaming coffee and afternoon frosty ice tea.
And from visiting relatives that sleep on the floor.

I’m from A Child’s Garden of Verses and The Golden Children’s Bible Story Book.
From my mom who says, “It’s okay to be poor, but you don’t have to be dirty.”
I’m from rocking chairs on front porches watching the evening.
From the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee
And the volcanic hills and rice paddies of northern Japan.
From seaweed-wrapped rice balls and cornbread with honey.

I am from Great Grandma Bowman weathering the depression
On 25 cents a day, a vegetable garden and a milk cow,
And from a wooden Hokkaido bear head
From my mother’s heart to my wall
A 25-pound item lugged through San Francisco customs
A gift for my mother, her 5-year delayed gratification.
Now she gives back to me as she seems to say “Well done.”

By Virginia Noell Elliott

Querencia

My home growing up was in Sunnyside, Washington. This small town, despite its problems, is still the place where I feel the safest and most comforted. I grew up surrounded by countless family and friends. Weekend barbeques and potlucks were commonplace and I was with the ones I loved the most. My parents and sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and always friends fill up the memories of my childhood. My husband does not understand how this town can be such a safe harbor for me. When I feel depressed, sick, lonely, or full of self-pity, I long to go to Sunnyside, to my querencia. Even though most of my friends have scattered like the seeds from a freshly blown dandelion, much of my family still remains in Sunnyside and some of my fondest memories will always be of this place. by Megan Cuellar

Conversations, Collaboration, and Constant Learning at the Summer Institute

Visual Images of the Learning at the Summer Institute

It is evident much learning is happening this week at the SI of NIWP as we show our learning of Lane's book and personal writing books for all to see.

 

I just want more time to read books like Bird by Bird and Leaving a Trace.

 
So many books... not enough time.

"Writing for Teachers: Paying Homage to the Writer Within"

April began our day with a workshop about teachers and the writer within. Here is an essential list she compiled to help us join the writing community.
1. Read what you want to write
    Caveat: explore other genres as well
2. Educate yourself: how-to books, motivational books
3. Write every day: writing exercies, set word count goals
4. Join a writing communty: local writing group, online blogs
5. Attend conferences: informative andmotivational, meet with agents/editors

"If you want to get rich from writing, write the sort of thing that's read by persons who move their lips when they're reading to themselves." Don Marquis

Writers Letting It Rip

Bill Woolum joined both NIWP groups today and presented a workshop on writing. He reminded us to be ourselves, trust how we put together, put fear aside, and Let It Rip. Whether is is working with writing personally or with students, he also reminded us that writing needs to be of the body. According to Woolum, " We feel and remember and experience the world primarily in our bodies."

NIWP Advanced Institute: Exploring Writing to Learn

The Advanced Institute of the Northwest Inland Writing Project is wrapping up today in Moscow. The participants have spent all week examining workshop techniques by using the inquiry process. I am eager to hear more about the workshops these participants could present now.

Where I'm From

George Ella Lyons created quite a following where she first published the poem "Where I'm From" in a poetry collection called Stories I Ain't Told Nobody Yet.  If you click here you can read the poem and also more about what writers have done with this poem. Here is a version done in the NIWP  Summer Institute:

I Am From

 I am from a sunbeam mixer

From Nalley Potato Chips, Shasta Creme Soda, and Canada Dry

I am from the old metal clothesline

And coffee perking in a Pyrex pot

I am from the lilacs in spring

The sweet smell of syringa

Whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own.

I’m from Sunnyside Chili Feed and Father/Daughter banquets

From Beautiful Bill and Little Poo

I’m from Sunday dinner and Christmas Eve candlelight service

And from trick or treating every Halloween.

I’m from the roads are slick and your eyes will stay that way

And meet me under the clock at The Crescent.

I’m from E. Portland and Cameron Avenue

Beans and bread and Missouri pudding.

From the day Bill cut his foot on the pop bottle to

Mom cutting his toenails before he went to the clinic.

The dusty Monopoly and Sorry games

In the storage closet upstairs

And moments sharpened by black and white photos

In a heavy, warm, box

Stuck way in the back. 

by Christy Woolum

Querencia

Finding Querencia: When asked to describe a place where we find safety and strength rooted in space or time, I realize that I don’t want my strength to come from without. I want strength to be rooted deep within my soul, to find peace and tranquility wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, regardless of time, place, season, or whatever IS or IS NOT. Yet, what feeds the soul? What provides for that Inner Strength? Nature must…but not all varieties…Yes, I’m picky.

I want sunlight, but not overbearing harshness. I want wide open spaces – but not at the expense of trees and mountains. I want the whisper of a breeze, the warmth of sunshine on my shoulders, the rich scent of sun-warmed pine needles. I need the sound of crickets and birds, especially the mourning dove and the low whoop of the night hawk. I need the chatter of chipmunks. These are things that fill the soul, that provide a reserve of endurance and hope, that help erase the battle scars of daily interaction with humanity.

Author’s Note: I recently found this entry in an old Writer’s Notebook. It was written in July of 2002.

by April Neimela

The Summer Institute Begins in Moscow, Idaho

Today the Summer Institute of the Northwest Inland Writing Project began in Moscow at the University of Idaho. Teachers participating come from schools that reach the far corners of eastern Washington and north Idaho including Kettle Falls and Moses Lake Washington, schools in the Palouse around the university, and Lewiston and Kamiah Idaho. During the four weeks the participants will read and reflect on the teaching of writing and be immersed in a writing workshop model of writing for themselves.

Advanced Institute: Joy in Teachers Learning from Teachers

Today on the campus of the University of Idaho an Advanced Institute for NIWP began. The focus of the class is to prepare NIWP teacher consultants to and present workshops on topics focused on literacy to area schools in northern Idaho and eastern Washington.There is joy in teachers learning from teachers.