MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
MVWP INSERVICE PROGRAM
BECAUSE WRITING MATTERS I
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
NAMES AND CONTACT INFO FOR PROPOSER:
Members of the MVWP Advisory Board may want to contact you
to respond to this proposal. Please give preferred contact
information for this purpose.
NAME
Keith A. Brown
Mailing
address
PO Box 34 Alder
Creek, NY 13301
Phone
e-mail
831-2144
kbrown@uticaschools.org
PURPOSE
Please describe your proposed program in terms of
goals and outcomes. What do you hope to accomplish
in the program? What artifacts and data do you plan
to collect? What outcomes to you hope to achieve?
How will you assess those outcomes?
Goals: This workshop Because Writing Matters I seeks to introduce teachers to the
concept of “teachers teaching teachers” which is one of the founding principles of the
National Writing Project. Educators understand the importance of implementing writing
throughout the curriculum and this workshop allows teachers from across the curriculum
to interact with one another, share ideas and best practices and by using the text Because
Writing Matters, enabling them to incorporate research-based writing strategies into
practice upon completion.
Accomplishments: Educators will work in small groups with a designated outcome
determined by the instructors and the three specific collaborative groups. Writing,
Research and Coaching groups allow for a diverse and fast paced learning atmosphere.
Participants are assigned to their groups with an overview presented by the instructors
who will model how each group will proceed. For example the Writing group will
continue to work on their assigned writing prompts given at the start of each session. Or
they may be free to expand on a new writing idea. They will share their writing and learn
how to workshop these pieces for entry into the writing journal compiled at the end of the
workshop. Coaching groups review a “best practice” from each member that will be
presented on the last day of the workshop. The Research groups work on designated
portions of the text, Because Writing Matters, which will also be presented at the close of
the workshop. Many participants in the past have incorporated technology such as power
point in order to enhance their research findings. Within these specific groups educators
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
will work on collaborative and individual writing assignments leading to a final
presentation at the conclusion of the workshop.
Outcomes: Artifacts such as journals and group presentations along with scholarly texts
are vigorously incorporated through out the program. Each participant will complete a
MVWP survey and evaluation at the end of the session. Participants are now encouraged
to continue with the program by signing up for the second in this series of workshops by
enrolling in Because Writing Matters II a researched based inquiry workshop which
continues to incorporate the three strands of learning as designated by the National
Writing Project.
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
Please describe the program you propose.
For whom is it intended?
K-college
Will your program be
open to all interested
participants or will
there be a selection
process?
Number of sessions?
Length of each session
(minutes)?
Is this a professional
development program, a
writers' workshop, a
young writers' program,
a conference
presentation or other?
What is the purpose of
your program?
When and where do you
plan to offer your
program in terms of time
of year, time of day,
and location?
All interested participants
Five (in Summer)/ 15 (in Fall-Spring semesters)
Six hours-Summer
2 hours-Fall/Spring
Professional Development
Introduce the three major strands of NWP and how to
apply to practice.
Summer/ Fall/ Spring
Utica College
Summer: 9 am-2 pm
Fall/Spring: afterschool; 4-6
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Please block out the timing of
program in minutes. If you are planning
one session, feel free to use more than
Use this to show that your program will
National Writing Project principles.
Day
Day 1
Time: 9:00-10:00
Name: Keith Br
your
more than
one page.
fulfill
ACTIVITY


Introductions/ Overview of schedule
Writing prompt and discussion (explain procedure
for daily writing prompt and journal writing for
Writing groups participants are encouraged to
bring own prompts if desired)


Pass out text books and other materials
Assign the Writing, Research and Coaching
groups. Instructors will model these three groups
for clarification using video or real time
demonstrations.

Writing groups meet to continue with morning
prompt or free write allowing time to workshop
individual writing pieces.
1:00-2:00

Coaching groups meet to plan and discuss
individual best practice which will demonstrate
effective writing in the classroom to entire group
upon completion of workshop. Participants will
follow outline given to them in order to use time
wisely.
2:00-3:00

Research groups meet with the text Because
Writing Matters. Each group will be assigned a
portion of the text to read and report to group
specific points of interest incorporating outside
information from The National Writing Project and
10:00-11:00
11:00-12:00 break for
lunch
12:00-1:00
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
other scholarly journals. Initially participants may
be required to use the Utica College databases and
the WAC website out of Colorado as one of their
resources. Laptop carts, the Utica College Library
and the Writing Center will be available for internet
usage.

Reconvene for reflective writing and sharing using
the Writer’s Chair as a closing exercise for each
day. Fill out “Postcards” for the days activities.
(These are used by the instructors as feedback is
obtained by participants in order to meet the needs
of attendees.)
9:00-10:00

Writing prompt: Ex. Donald Graves identified
several ways that writing is important in our lives.
Provide handout and respond to one in journals.
Allow 10-15 minutes for writing, begin discussion.
Remind everyone to continue to keep a journal of
these daily prompts to workshop with during their
Writing groups.
10:00-11:00

This hour is used by the instructors to provide
teachers with interesting journal articles and
booklets and other materials they may utilize
throughout the program. Ex. 30 Ideas for Teaching
Writing by the National Writing Project. A
roundtable discussion of materials and ideas.

Writing groups will meet and continue to
workshop their material and responses generated so
far. (Instructors encourage participants to select
various locations around the campus where they
will be inspired to write. Instructors will join groups
to encourage them to follow schedule and outline of
what a writing group should do and allow feedback.
Remind group they will be choosing selections for
the workshop portfolio.
3:00-4:00
Day 2
11:00-12:00 break for
lunch.
12:00-1:00
1:00-2:00
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br

Coaching groups meet to discuss their best writing
practice for presentation at close of workshop
activities. By day two they should have finalized
their individual ideas and begin to workshop each
presenters material. Outlines have been provided by
instructors to help facilitate their approaches and
instructors should also monitor these groups and
provide feedback.
2:00-3:00

Research groups meet to continue working with
textbook and other material. Outlines have been
provided for time management and other
suggestions for final presentations. These are group
presentations not individual. Groups may continue
to have access to Utica College library and the
Writing Center for research purposes.
3:00-4:00

Writer’s Chair and closing activities. Fill out
“Postcards”.
9:00-10:00

Writing Prompt. Ex. Agaziz and the Fish
10:00-11:00

Addressing NWP journal articles
12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

Writing groups continue to workshop individual
writings.
Coaching groups continue to fine tune best writing
practice for individual presentations on Friday.
2:00-3:00

Research groups continue to gather and discuss
findings. At this stage a discussion of how the final
presentation overview should be established.
3:00-4:00

Writer’s Chair and closing activities. Fill out
“Postcards”.
Day 3
11:00-12:00 break for
lunch.
Day 4
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
9:00-10:00
Name: Keith Br

Writing Prompt. Ex. “What genre are you”?

Addressing NWP journal articles

Writing groups select passages and submit to
instructors for publication in our workshop journal
which is presented to everyone on Friday.

Coaching groups should rehearse their individual
best writing practice for presentation on Friday.

Research groups will begin to finalize their
presentations either in a power point format or other
dynamic

Writer’s Chair and final instructions for the last day
of activities. “Postcards” turned in.

Writing prompt and sharing of group writing
collections.
Research presentations
10:00-11:00
11:00-12:00 break for
lunch.
12:00-1:00
1:00-2:00
2:00-3:00
3:00-4:00
Day 5
9:00-10:00
10:00-12:00
12:00-1:00 lunch

1:00-4:00


Coaching presentations: Allow time for celebration
of teacher practices.
Closing activities and “Postcards” turned in.
Remind participants to register for Because
Writing Matters II
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
What specific materials will you use in presenting
your program? (Please put a * by any books,
materials, supplies or equipment that will be
provided by MVWP.)
NWP texts and journal articles
What materials will be provided to the participants
in your program? (Please put a * by those items
that will be provided by MVWP.)
*Because Writing Matters text book
*Composition notebooks and pens
*Sticky notes for writing groups
*MVWP tote bags
What media support (equipment, internet connection,
etc.) will be required for your program?
Internet
Laptop carts
Projector
Does your program involve training in the use of
technology to teach? (Please include details.)
NA
MVWP Program Description
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
Name: Keith Br
Please outline the financial profile of your
program.
What fees will
participants be
charged?
How will the fees be
funded (out of pocket,
district funds, grant
funds, etc.?)
How many hours will you
bill the Mohawk Valley
Writing Project for
your work?
Explain contact
hours/credits/inservice
hours earned by
participants in your
program.
Estimate any expenses
incurred by your
program and explain how
they will be funded.
(Include materials,
fees, etc.)
Explain any potential
partnerships/cosponsorships between
MVWP and other agencies
in supporting your
program.
Do you have any plans
$50.00 per applicant
Out of pocket
30 hours plus 5 planning
30 hours in-service
Copying expenses
Book fees
(Registration fees cover
expenses)
NA
Future plans include taking
MVWP Program Description
Name: Keith Br
Program Title:Because Writing Matters I
Date: June 2, 2008
to seek outside
program to the District
sponsorship (grants,
level for a viable workshop
etc.) to support your
for sustainable
program?
professional development.
Please identify all the presenters
involved in your program, including their
professional roles, their affiliations, and the
year they attended Summer Institute. Please provide
contact information for each presenter.
Keith A. Brown- Teacher Consultant S.I. 2007
(kbrown@uticaschools.org)
Ann Marie Farrell-Teacher Consultant S.I. 2006
AMFARRELL@uticaschools.org
Amy Barok- Teacher Consultant S. I. 2007
ABAROK@uticaschools.org