We are no longer accepting applications for 2010 - Please consider joining us in 2011!

At the heart of the LMWP is the Summer Invitational Institute : a four-week program inviting teachers from all disciplines and levels to engage in collaboration. The institute will meet at Grand Valley's Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. Week one consists of intensive community building and significant reading and writing time.

2010 Schedule

   June 28 - July 1          9 am - 7 pm

   July 6  - 9                  9 am - 4 pm

   July 12 -15                9 am - 4 pm

   July 19 - 22               9 am - 4 pm

Sessions

1. Presentation of demonstration lessons by participants, followed by peer evaluations.
2. Presentation of lecture, workshop, or demonstration by Invitational Summer Institute directors or planned guest.
3. Writing by the participants.
4. Reading group participation centered around two complementary writing-related texts.
5. Planning of follow-up activities for the following academic year.

How will I benefit from the LMWP Invitational Summer Institute?

• Earn three graduate credits or a $600 stipend for the Summer Institute (ENG 632)
• Earn three addtional graduate credits or a $600 stipend for the Teacher-Reserach Course (ENG 633)
• Become a more effective and energized teacher of writing
• Learn strategies to raise the success levels of your students' writing in class and on standardized tests such as the MEAP
• Join the larger conversation of dedicated and experienced teachers of writing
• Garner international recognition and credentials as a National Writing Project teacher consultant

The Invitational Summer Institute is a workshop designed to be both more demanding and more fulfilling than traditional staff development programs. Also, the Institute connects to the National Writing Project’s philosophy that teachers improve their own teaching practices by working withother outstanding teachers in group-learning activities.

Will I have a lot of "homework" to do outside Institute hours?

Since Institute participants earn three semester hours of graduate credit, they are expected to do some reading and writing outside of the Institute hours. However, since participants are actively engaged in learning during the day, fellows spend less time doing "homework" than for other graduate classes.

If participating in the Institute earns me three graduate credits, how do I earn the other three graduate credits?

After the Invitational Summer Institute (ENG 632), the Writing Project offers a teacher-research class (ENG 633). This class will meet twice a month and develop a teacher-researcher project based on writing in one’s classroom. Meeting with this group and eventually writing an article about the teaching of writing in your classroom will earn you the other three graduate credits.

If I choose not to earn graduate credits for my participation, how much is the stipend, and when will I receive it?

If you choose not to receive the graduate credits, the $600 stipend is paid following the completion of the Institute.  The stipend is an honorarium each fellow earns by attending all sessions, participating in workshop activities, and completing all individual and group tasks. Individuals who do not complete the program will not receive the stipend.   In the same manner, if you enroll in the teacher-research course and choose the $600 stipend instead of the 3 credits, you will receive this stipend once the course has been completed.

What are the general attendance expectations for participants?

In general, we expect participants to be present every day unless there are unavoidable personal emergencies or professional responsibilities. Barring extenuating circumstances, no fellow should miss more than one whole day of the Institute.

How much will my books cost?

The LMWP will provide the required books, and you will receive them sometime before the Institute begins.  In addition, we set up an extensive library during the Institute, and those books are available to Fellows to either borrow or purchase at 1/2 price.

May I bring guests to the Summer Institute?

The LMWP welcomes adult visitors, especially administrators and teachers who might like to apply to participate in future Invitational Summer Institutes. Although our work is fun, it is also intense and paced for talented adult learners. Therefore, except on special prearranged occasions, children should not be brought to the Institute.

What instructional settings, grade levels, and subject areas are represented at the institute?

We always seek a group representing the full (Pre) K-University teaching levels. We welcome teachers from the business world (e.g.corporate training centers) or from specialty schools and home schools. From schools where teaching focuses on specific disciplines (e.g.history, math in high schools), we welcome any teacher of writing, regardless of subject area.

Why does the Institute meet from 9 am to 7 pm the first week?

The first week of the Institute involves a number of time-intensive activities. Among those are activities that will allow fellows to prepare for their teaching demonstrations. Meeting from 9 am until 7 pm (Monday-Thursday) the first week allows the Institute the time to get everything up and running. In subsequent weeks the Institute meets from Monday through Thursday 9 am until 4 pm.  Some writing project sites choose to meet on Fridays, and some have a longer schedule throughout the entire Institute.  Meeting longer the first week allows Institute participants to have our Fridays available for other pursuits, and lets us adjourn by 4 pm in the final three weeks.

What is a teaching demonstration?

Each fellow will model a best practice from one’s classroom in writing for the entire group. Fellows’ demonstrations will be examples of lessons that involve writing in their own classrooms. Student work, activities that take the audience through some of the process and professional/theoretical references will be parts of the demonstration.  After each demonstration, there will be a discussion of the teaching concepts and principles shown in the lesson. Each fellow will learn to apply teaching concepts, based on core literacy development principles, across all grade levels and subject areas.

What do I need to bring for my teaching demonstration? How long should it last?

If you have some idea of what favorite lesson you might like to share for your teaching demonstration, you will want to bring the needed materials home at the end of the school year. The demonstration itself should last about 75 minutes and will include all parts of your lesson (introduction, activities, closure). You will need to obtain paper copies for everyone in the Invitational Summer Institute.

May I leave the GVSU campus for lunch and/or to run errands?

Fellows should remain on campus during the Institute hours. We try to have one extended lunch per week, but this is a time when all fellows enjoy a festive meal together. We would rather pack our days with activities, including discussions over lunch, to keep the hours of the Institute more manageable.

To qualify as a fellow, how computer-comfortable do I need to be?

Fellows do need to be willing to try out a variety of learning experiences in a computer classroom. The more comfortable you are with working with a computer, the better, but lack of experience should not prevent you from becoming a fellow.

What are my chances of being selected as a fellow?

We will choose, from our initial applicant pool, to interview 20 candidates for our 14 Invitational Summer Institute slots.  If you are invited for an interview, you have an excellent chance of becoming a fellow.

What if, after I am selected, I find I cannot participate for personal reasons?

Please notify us immediately so that we can contact an alternate before the Welcoming and Planning Dinner.  We never add alternates after the dinner, as too much learning happens after that point to be "made up" later.