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.

Images of the NIWP Leadership Retreat

Last week-end the NIWP leadership team gathered in Spokane for a retreat. Our team is comprised of people with passion for this writing project and a deep commitment to teaching and learning.

 Goals were set, tasks were volunteered, great food was enjoyed, and a birthday was even celebrated.

 Bev is organizing the summer writing retreat on Coeur d' Alene Lake.

 Rodney serves as the NIWP Director through the University of Idaho. April to his left facilitates these meetings and also works at keeping the website updated. Barbara to his right is representing our site at the regional networking meeting this summer.

 Carol at the end of the table works hard at inservice and planning the spring conference. Bonnie organizes a Young Author's Conference in St. Anthony each November, and Sherry will be doing inservice this summer for teachers in north Idaho. She also was our gracious hostess for the retreat.

We also had to help Sherry celebrate an early birthday while we were there. I am the person behind the camera and one of my tasks  is to keep this blog going! Christy

To learn more about NIWP visit us at www.niwp.org or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

Pulizer Winner Kathleen Parker Thanks a NWP Teacher

 When Kathleen Parker was awarded the Pulizer Prize recently for Commentary she thanked a teacher.  The teacher she paid tribute to  is  James Gasque, a high school English teacher who is part of the Midlands Writing Project at the University of South Carolina. Here is the column a friend of mine referred me to last week when I spoke of attending the Northwest Inland Writing Project Leadership Retreat. This is a good read!
 Pulitzer Prize Winner Thanks Writing Project Teacher - National Writing Project