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News About the Quad City Area Writing Project
Summer Institute News
The 2008 Eastern Iowa Writing Project Summer Institute (June 16 -July 11, 2008) was a great success. All educators are encouraged to apply for the 2009 Summer Writing Institute that will be held from June 15 – July 10, 2009 on the St. Ambrose campus. The EIWP application is included on this website. The cost of the institute that includes five hours of graduate credit from St. Ambrose University is $200.00.
If you have questions about any part of the application process, please email Dr. Dick Hanzelka at rhanzelka@gmail.com or at HanzelkaRichardL@sau.edu or call him at 563-333-6380.
The 2008 Summer Writing Project Institute was attended by Iowa and Illinois teachers and facilitated by Mary Mulvihill (Pleasant Valley), Janet Hunt (East Moline), and Mike Millar (Aledo). The group met for four weeks and studied about teaching and learning writing. During that time teachers wrote, read, talked, and planned. An on-site library of 500 professional books and a notebook of hundreds of articles gave impetus to expanded thoughts about teaching and learning. The luxury of time to read and write during the institute met with great approval by the teachers. Some comments from teachers in the 2008 institute included the following:
I feel like this class, EIWP has been a gift to myself.
I have learned so much from this Writing Institute….I feel it makes learning more comfortable and less threatening.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have to pursue our own learning with the extra time given.
I find myself thinking about writing nearly all the time. Actually, I’ve come to think of writing as a gift.
The professional readings have provided much insight into the world of writing as well; many of these ideas can be incorporated into my classes too.
What I see as the true strength of the institute is the time for reading, writing,and reflection. Thank you for having the foresight to value this aspect of your program and not shorten it! The time given is awesome!
This writing institute is a community. We’ve gotten to know each other, find common interests (besides teaching and students) and share funny stories with each other. I feel like I’m being challenged creatively and mentally. I haven’t felt that way in years.
I feel this institute has allowed me the time to really delve into what’s going on inside of me, as a writer, as a teacher, as a person.
I am thrilled with the content of the institute and I’m glad I decided to take the course.
EIWP Seminar
Since the 2003 – 2004 school year, EIWP has held a
year-long writing seminar for EIWP institute teachers each school year.
The seminar is designed for teachers to continue to study their teaching
during the year and to dialogue with other teachers about what is
happening. Another seminar is being held during the 2008-2009 seminar
for ten teachers who have completed an EIWP summer institute. The
facilitator for the seminar is Mike Millar, a fifth grade teacher from
Aledo, IL.
EIWP Young Writers’ Conference
On May 13, 2007, 450 students from first through sixth grade attended the Annual EIWP Young Writers’ Conference on the St. Ambrose campus. The morning is was a celebration of writing for students who shared a piece of their own writing with a group of other students. They also had the opportunity to attend a workshop on some aspect of expression including writing and the arts. All students were treated to an assembly by Comedy Sportz, the popular improvisational acting troupe from Rock Island. It was a great morning that was made possible by assistance from seventy teachers and retired teachers. The 2009 Young Writers’ Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 12. The featured performer will be Mike Millar who is a teacher poet, song writer, guitar player, and co-director of EIWP.
EIWP Young Writers’ Camps
The EIWP Young Writers’ Camps will be held again in June 2009. The Young Writers’ Camps have been very successful. Students enjoy the opportunities to write and share their writing. Many parents and others attend a reading of writing by the students on the last day of the camps. Each student receives a T-shirt and receives a published collection of student writing from the camp. Please watch for additional information about the Young Writers’ Camps. Camps are available for first grade, second/third grade, and fourth/fifth grade.
If you are interested in additional information about any of these programs, please contact Dr. Dick Hanzelka at HanzelkaRichardL@sau.edu or call him at 563-333-6380.
A New Student Program
Starting October 11, Chris Agy, one of our veteran Young Writers’ Camp teachers will continue a new venture started last year. The first Young Authors’ Club was launched during 2007-2008 with twelve third, fourth, and fifth grade writers. The Young Authors’ Club will meet for ten Saturday mornings during the 2008 – 2009 school year. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Dick Hanzelka at HanzelkaRichardL@sau.edu or at 563-333-6380.
St. Ambrose
University
518 West Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
(563) 333-6000
duleydebras@ambrose.sau.edu