SUMMER 2010 INSTITUTE FEEDBACK
1.
Please
comment on the following features of the institute:
-Writing Groups:
My group became something special, and it never
would of if we hadn’t shared our writing with one another. Having constructed
seemingly perfect prose we felt strong enough in our talents to be vulnerable
with our voices. I know our group will remember all our shared stories, well
into the future. We are The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pen after all ;-)
-Guest Presenters:
I really enjoyed the Fiction and Poetry
workshop presenters because their methods of engagement for us were simple and
replicable with my students. I took thorough notes on their strategies, along
with the readings Comic Strips piece, all of which were helpful in teaching me
(by showing me how to teach) reading and writing as a writer.
-Demonstrations:
I benefited from watching and participating in
other colleagues’ expertise and teaching process. As a first year teacher, I
found their models invaluable and grew from the opportunity and challenge of
presenting my own demo for other professionals to glean from. Now, I have a
pretty good idea of what I would do differently along with a notebook of tested
resources to pull out of next year.
-Writing Marathons:
At first I was slow to respond to the Writing
Marathons, but like everyone has said, writing involves practice. I came to
value the required time by treating it like creative space where I could try
anything new and struggle through my own writing process so as to better
understand my students’ dilemmas and fears when it comes to writing. Now it’s
something I plan on having my students do too; a chance to get out of the
classroom and change their perspective to allow for new ones on their papers.
2.
What was the
best part of the institute for you? Why?
I looked forward to guided
instruction everyday. Because of the high expectations and supports in DWP, my
competencies grew along with my confidence. I needed the push during the summer
to make the investment in literacy learning and personal/ professional
development of my own writing. I walked away with a greater desire and interest
in continuing literacy strategies such as using model texts, teaching students
to read like readers/ writers, along with choice and voice in the classroom.
These strategies were used in DWP and engaged me as a participant, a similar
effect I would like to see in my classroom this next year.
3.
What was
the worst part? Why?
The worst part for me was
REFLECTION. In a profession so dependent on one’s ability to perceive and
discern, I often find that I’m not alone in my loathing of reflection. This is
probably because it doesn’t seem guided enough, or fruitful enough, as there is
always more that can be reflected upon. However, with that said, I did see the
benefit of Inquiry Journals. There were several models and I guess I wrote a
few myself, but it’s still an area I need to grow more in. Otherwise, it seems
a little hypocritical to ask my students to write (show their metacognition)
without recording my own thinking.
4.
What
changes would you like to see in the institute?
More explanation on reflection
and inquiry journals might be helpful from a teacher’s perspective. While it
was addressed, and I did read Stephen King’s On Writing, I still would
like more support on the practice. Maybe if we had another book/ blog of a
teacher’s inquiry/ reflection process, I could compare that to a ‘professional
writer’s process. Shortly after DWP I did find on my own example in Cynthia
Urbanski’s Using the Workshop Approach, Chapters 1 & 3, where she
connects teaching with coaching and writing to running. Her prose flows
logically while including failure scenarios as well. It made me want to write
or explore something similar in describing my own frustrating process of
reflection.
5.
Please
comment on the institute leadership team’s work.
I thought everyone on the
leadership team was extremely graceful, helpful, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic
about writing! Never did anyone make me feel stupid or afraid of sharing my
work. Whenever I had a question or concern I knew I could ask someone on the
leadership team. I would say they went beyond DWP requirements and
expectations, making the institute a delight to participate in. Thank y’all so
much!
6.
What else
would you like to say about the Denver Writing Project Summer Institute?
I can’t wait for it next year,
and would like to bring fellow teachers with me. Also, I would like to continue
my contact with the leadership team and other DWP Fellows in pursuit of
continuing professional development and literacy learning. It has been a
wonderful experience!
