Sponsored by and housed within the Warner School, the Genesee Valley Writing Project is directed by Joanne Larson, a leading scholar in new literacies. The project serves teachers and students from urban, suburban, and rural schools in Monroe and surrounding counties.

Using a teachers-teaching-teachers model, the GVWP allows participating teachers to tap into what is known about writing and the teaching of writing from all sources—key research findings, important books and articles, and most importantly, the classroom practices of effective and successful teachers.

In its mission to improving the quality of student writing and learning in area schools, the GVWP sponsors an array of programs including an annual invitational Summer Institute, school-based in-service programs, professional development continuity programs, professional development workshops, and a summer writing camp for children and youth.

The Genesee Valley Writing Project

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Sponsored by the Genesee Valley Writing Projectand the Warner School of Education

Saturday, October 20, 20128:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Interfaith Chapel - River Level

Genesee Valley Writing ProjectFall Workshop

Innovations, Research, and the Common Core

The Common Core has arrived and teachers are working hard to find innovative ways to meet the standards while staying true to what they know about teaching in general and teaching writing in particular. These four exciting sessions will present innovative, research-based practices that take the Common Core Standards into account. Please join us for what promises to be worthwhile conversations.

Innovations, Research, and the Common Core(Four Sessions)

A. Using a Classroom Wiki to Invite Students into Appreciation and Critical Analysis of Poetry (Melissa Pollet-Swidorski)Oftentimes, students can feel intimidated by the complexities and subtleties of poetry. Figurative language, sophisticated themes, and precise, deliberate use of space and punctuation can distance students from the beauty of poetry. This workshop will demonstrate how social media, in the form of a Wiki page, can be utilized to appreciate and understand poetry at more complex levels, as encouraged by the Common Core State Standards. Handouts on creating a Wiki page will be provided.

B. Igniting Interest in Research – The Multi-Genre Approach (Jeff Parker)The single genre, traditional research paper is frequently used as the culminating assessment for student research. With multi-genre responses, students are offered choice and become invested while still demonstrating mastery of content and meeting the Common Core Standards. The process can be applied across subjects and invites deeper inquiry. Participants in this session will view work samples produced by students, experiment with different ways to respond to texts and come away with ideas to use in the classroom.

C. Four Myths About the ELA Common Core (Dina Strasser)The ELA Common Core is here, along with a tidal wave of questions about what it means, what it entails, and how to implement it in our classrooms. Join us for a discussion on four popular myths surrounding the Core. We’ll take a critical look at these myths, and apply their antidote-- reality-- to an ELA activity or lesson of your choice. We’ll wrap up with a brief brainstorming session on how we can actively debunk CC myths in our own schools. Please come to this session with an ELA activity or lesson you’d like to work with.

D. Helping Your Students Improve Their Database Research Abilities (Liz Hallmark)This session will give a brief overview of the development of information access, sharpen teachers’ understanding of students’ internet-seeking behaviors, and provide time for exploring several library databases for their own purposes.

Directions: NYS Thruway (I-90) to Exit 46; I-390 North to Exit 16 (W. Henrietta Rd.); cross W. Henrietta to E. River Rd.; right onto Kendrick Rd.; right onto Elmwood Ave. Continue past Crittenden, bear left onto Elmwood Ave., next right onto Wilson Blvd. Turn onto Intercampus Drive and continue to the library lot located just behind Rush Rhees library. Parking is free on weekends.

Schedule: 8:30 – 8:45 Gather for coffee8:45 – 9:15 Introductions/Morning Reflection9:15 – 10:15 Session one10:15 – 10:30 BREAK10:30 – 11:30 Session two11:30 – 12:00 Closing reflections

Cost:Cost of the program is $35. You will receive 3 professional development hours upon completion. Registration deadline is October 17.

For more information and to register: Contact Mary Beyer at (585) 275-2616 or mbeyer@warner.rochester.edu.

Writing Workshop for Educators Writing the World: Composition in the Content Areas Registration Form (Deadline: October 17, 2012)

Last Name _______________________ First Name ________________

Male ____ Female ____

Address _____________________________________________________

City ______________________________________ Zip________________

Home Phone ___________________ Work Phone ________________

Other Phone____________________

E-Mail Address _______________________________________________

School _______________________________________________________

School District ________________________________________________

Current Teaching Assignment (or position)

______________________________________________________________

Grade ______ Subject _____________ Are You Tenured? _________

Degree Attained: __ MS __ MA __ BA __ BS __ EdD __ PhD

Field/Major: __________________________________________________

Each participant will attend two sessions. Please rank order your selections below (1 being the most desired, 4 being the least):

____ Session A: Classroom Wiki____ Session B: Igniting Interest in Research____ Session C: Four Myths About ELA Common Core____ Session D: Improving Database Research Abilities

Register early to have a better chance at getting your top selections.

Laptops are needed for all workshop sessions. Will you bring your own? ____Yes ____No

How did you learn about our Workshop?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Were you asked to attend by your district? _____Yes _____No

$35.00 registration fee

_____ Cash _____Check (Payable to: University of Rochester)

Mail form and payment to:Genesee Valley Writing Project - Attn Mary BeyerWarner School of Education, University of RochesterBox 270425Rochester, NY 14627