Advanced Institute

Using a Mentor Text to Create a Digital Story

2 credits

May 14, 9:00 am-4:00 am; June 20, 21, 22 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Whitman Hall, Northern Michigan University

Participants will explore how to turn a mentor text from their classroom into a digital story.  This course will introduce Upper Peninsula Writing Project (UPWP) Teacher Consultants (TCs) to ways in which technology can be used as a tool to enhance writing. After the course, participants will have a multi-purpose digital story they can model with their students as an example to engage them in digital literacy as well as use it in classroom instruction as a mentor text.  Digital storytelling will provide UPWP TCs with ways to share their own writing and student writing from their classroom.

To apply: contact Mark Smith, masmith@nmu.edu

2011 “Supporting Writing in the Classroom”- ED 989: 1 credit

June 20-21 8:00 am-4:00 pm

This course will expose educators to a variety of strategies and resources for promoting writing and communication in the elementary classroom.  Participants will learn best practices for building a safe and welcoming writing community for teachers and students.  Non-threatening ways to model and plan for writing all year long will be offered.  Writing Workshop, the Writer’s Notebook, Learning Logs, Portfolios and cross-curricular writing will be examined. Expert texts, picture books, and children’s work will be showcased.  Evaluative tools and digital connections will also be presented.

Course Objectives:

The two objectives are: 1) to build awareness, knowledge and understanding of developing writing lessons/ projects in their classrooms; and 2) to assist teachers in taking advantage of using a writing classroom culture for their own professional growth and improve student achievement and participation in writing.  The course will be interactive, collaborative, and experiential.

For registration information, please contact Marquette-Alger RESA regarding their Summer Action in Education Institute, 906-226-5100