Authors Share Strategy and Philosophy with Writing Project Fellows

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Experienced writers will be sharing writing strategies and philosophy with nine Northwest Arkansas educators selected to be fellows in the 2004 Northwest Arkansas Summer Invitational Institute of the National Writing Project.

Now in its eighth year in the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, the institute is co-directed by Anne Lane, who teaches English and chairs the English department at Ramay Junior High School; Sharla Keen-Mills, who teaches English and chairs the English department at Woodland Junior High; and Priscilla Kumpe, Gifted and Talented teacher at Ramay.

The institute was brought to Arkansas by Samuel Totten, professor of secondary and middle-level education in the UA department of curriculum and instruction, to offer accomplished teachers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the science and art of teaching writing. Institute fellows also develop a network of colleagues committed to the goals of the Writing Project and upon successful completion become Teacher Consultants with a responsibility to share what they have learned in their schools and communities.

The writing project seeks seasoned teachers from all grade levels and subjects to share their successful teaching strategies. The application process is rigorous, and about half the applicants are accepted to the summer institute. This year's fellows come from throughout Northwest Arkansas and from as far away as Fort Smith and Valley Springs.

"We look for teachers who are enthusiastic about incorporating writing across the curriculum and are perceived by their colleagues to be outstanding teachers," Totten said. "They must have a desire to become a Teaching Consultant and serve the larger educational community."

A popular feature of the institute is the visits by experienced authors who discuss their approach to the art and craft of writing. This addition to the standard National Writing Project curriculum was incorporated into the University of Arkansas Writing Project to take advantage of the many outstanding writers who live in the area.

Elliott West, UA Distinguished Professor of history, spoke to the institute on July 9. Sidney Burris, professor of English, will talk about his work on Thursday, July 15. Robert Ford, local author who published his first novel in fall 2003, will speak on July 22, and Margaret Bolsterli, professor emeritus in English and author of "Born in the Delta," will be guest author on July 27. Guest authors will speak from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in room 101, Peabody Hall.

This year Totten is focusing on a research component, a new feature of the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project. Each fellow came to the project with an outline of a research project, and Totten will mentor them in refining and completing their research. Topics include an investigation of the modifications necessary to facilitate a successful language arts program for English as a Second Language classes and research in metacognition-that is, the science of thinking about the thinking process-and the reading and writing curriculum.

Totten is also working with current and former fellows to prepare an anthology of "quick-write" stories and essays. The quick-write exercise begins each day of the institute and is an important part of the writing process for participants.

The Northwest Arkansas Writing Project is part of a national program headquartered at the University of California at Berkeley. To fund the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project, Totten applies each year for a federal grant that requires evidence of continued quality and program effectiveness.

Arkansas teachers join the more than 2 million educators from around the world who have participated in summer writing institutes. Originally begun in 1973, the National Writing Project has grown to reach over 135,000 educators annually at 175 sites in 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and the Virgin Islands.