The Writing Institute o June 26-28, 2006 Embassy Suites, Charleston, WV o Presenters: Judy Gould, Four Square Writing Method
Morgan Jackson, NBCT, CRISS trainer, NWP consultant
Mary Burke, Writing Workouts That Work and Creating & Managing
a Writing Workshop o Participants: 150 WV teachers and administrators grades 2-12 (there was a waiting list) o Materials: Participants received a book bag that contained The Writing Institute:
Strategies for Writing Success resource book designed for WV teachers by presenters.
This three-day institute was the culmination of writing activities for 2005-2006. With both product and process goals, the institute provided the hands-on practice as teachers of writing became teachers who write. The idea that modeling is the difference between teaching writing and assigning writing permeated the three days. The presenters worked with the
English language arts coordinator in preparation of the institute so that they could incorporate into their presentations the traits of writing (used WV Writing Assessment traits) and the needs in writing of WV teachers. An extra evening was added to the agenda to play games for writing. Teachers were provided a means of sustainability and support throughout the institute by keeping a composition book where notes were made about the presentation and how to use it in the classroom. To help with this process, reflective questions were the last slide of each presentation. Teachers left the institute with at least five personal writing models to use in the classroom. As requested by many school districts, teachers were prepared to take the information received at the institute to provide training. Lastly, a session of reflection was held and teachers read their pieces of writing and exchanged ideas and thoughts of the three days.
The Writing Institute
A three-day summer institute was held at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV, as a follow-up and reteaching of last year’s institute. o July 23, 24, & 25, 2007 Charleston, WV o Presenters: Judy Gould, Four Square Writing Method
Morgan Jackson, NBCT, NWP consultant
Mary Burke, Writing Workouts the Work and Creating & Managing
a Writing Workshop o Participants: 150 WV teachers and administrators grades 2-12 ( I did not accept applications from persons that attended last year-building capacity in the state) o Materials: Participants received a book bag that contained The Writing Institute:
Strategies for Writing Success and Teaching Adolescent Writers by Kelly
Gallagher. o Blog Site: Participants used a blog site throughout the week to journal and to share thoughts on their writings.

The three presenters conferred with the English language arts coordinator on several issues concerning 21 st
century skills and how written communication were to be the highlights of the institute. Several new ideas were incorporated into the institute this year, such as technology’s role in writing and technical writing. Teachers communicated throughout the institute and throughout the summer by using the conference blog site. As requested before applying, teachers were prepared to take the knowledge gained and present to his or her county via some form of technology. Sustainability and support throughout the year continues to take many forms as teachers present to others, write for publication and exchange ideas through technology. As a culmination of the three days, teachers were encouraged to share a piece of writing that they composed (teachers becoming writers and leaving the institute with personal pieces for modeling in their classrooms were the highlights of the sessions).