The Cal State Northridge Writing Project

The Invitational Summer Institute is at the center of every Writing Project site. As the beginning of the Cal State Northridge Writing Project's work with teachers, our 2009 Summer Invitational Institute was the starting point for developing a strong group of Teacher Consultants, ready to take their expertise as writers and as teachers of writing back to their schools, their districts, and into the community.

In 2010 we again anticipate offering fellowships to a cadre of TWENTY teachers, K-university all content areas. Our brochure contains additional information.

The dates for the 2010 Institute are as follows:

Teachers as Writers: A central writing project belief from the earliest days of the Bay Area Writing Project is that effective teachers of writing are teachers who have experienced being writers themselves. Participants will have extensive time and support to write in a variety of genres for a range of purposes and audiences and to share their writing with a group of peers. Grounded in the practice of writing, participants will return to their classrooms well-positioned to help their students develop as writers.

Teachers Teaching Teachers: A second foundational writing project tenet is that effective teachers are the best teachers of other teachers. Much of the Summer Institute experience is built on this belief. With the support of the Directors, Summer Fellows will choose a writing lesson they have used successfully with their own students and develop it into a model lesson to present to their summer colleagues. Experiencing and discussing a broad range of teacher-led lessons will help all Fellows broaden their range of effective instructional practices.

Practice Grounded in Theory: During the Summer Institute, participants will learn about what others have learned and shared about writing and about effective practices in the teaching of writing. Common readings as well as readings in self-selected areas of interest, the contributions of guest presenters, and the emergent discussions will help participants deepen their knowledge base and encounter new ideas to spark and challenge their thinking.

Applying for the Cal State Northridge Writing Project Summer Institute 2010. We will begin accepting applications for the Invitational Summer Institute in December. At that time you will be able to download and complete the Application Form from this page and send it, along with a support letter from a colleague or administrator, via email, FAX (818-677-2582) or mail (Kathleen Rowlands, Cal State Writing Project, Michael D. Eisner College of Education, Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8265). Email us with questions.