Scroll down or use quick links for this page:
Summer Institute 2009::Open Institute::Advanced Institute::
Open Institute (Fargo)

Summer Institute: On Writing and Learning in our Schools

July 7-29, 2009
Pre-institute orientation May 15 & 16, 2009
Applications accepted through April 15, 2009.

Contact Jessica Zerr (jessica.zerr@und.edu) for more information.

What is the RRVWP Summer Institute?
As a site of the National Writing Project, our annual Summer Institute offers you a place to read, discuss, and share ideas about teaching writing–plus time to write. Reading may include common and grade–specific readings to meet the needs of all teachers participating in the institute. Teachers also share best teaching practices and explore the teaching of writing by writing.

Summer Institute participants receive a stipend, books, materials, library privileges, and a supportive community of fellow teachers. Institute fellows are also eligible for four (4) graduate credits in English or Education. The University of North Dakota requires all participants to be admitted to UND and to register for the institute (graduate or audit).

Once participants are selected, the RRVWP assists in the application and registration process. The stipend is designed to reimburse participants for the cost of tuition and fees. Campus housing may also be provided when necessary.

Who Can Participate?
Any teacher of any subject, at any grade level, is welcome. Teachers should have a minimum of one year of experience in his/her own classroom. If you are interested in the effective
teaching of writing, you should apply.

How Can I Apply to the Summer Institute?
Send the following application materials in a single envelope to the Red River Valley Writing Project:

1. A brief resume with current contact information
2. a letter of application in which you address the following questions:
   How does writing fit into your classroom?
   What aspect of your classroom literacy practice do you want to improve or to explore more deeply through the summer institute?
3. supporting letters from
   a teacher colleague
   a principal or supervisor

The application deadline for the 2008 summer institute is April 15, 2008. Applications received after the deadline will be considered as space is available.

Can I Find Out More?
We are happy to answer your questions. Phone: 701–777–4162 | Email: jessica.zerr@und.edu

Open Institute 2009:
Assessing Writers (Grand Forks)

What Can I Expect from this Institute?
The open institute is a mini-version of the Red River
Valley Writing Project Summer Institute. Just as in the
Summer Institute, Open Institute participants will read,
discuss, and share ideas about teaching writing—plus
do some writing of their own.

The 2009 Open Institute focuses on assessment of
student writing. It provides advice to K–8 teachers for
determining what students know and are able to do as
writers and, based on that knowledge, how to plan for
writing instruction. The workshop is led by Dr. Marci
Glessner and RRVWP teacher consultants.

Open Institute participants receive a $50 stipend, a
copy of Carl Anderson’s book, Assessing Writers:
Planning for Writing Instruction, and a supportive
community of fellow teachers. Participants are eligible
for one (1) continuing education credit. The $50
stipend reimburses the cost of continuing education
registration.

Advanced Institute 2009: Poetry in the Classroom

Guest Facilitator: Dr. Heidi Czerwiec
July 20-23, 2009; 8:30-12:30
Merrifield Hall, Room 114
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks

What Can I Expect from this Institute?

This advanced institute is a focused institute offered by the Red River Valley Writing Project for its TCs. This year's participants will learn, practice, and apply strategies, resources, and activities for teaching the elements of poetry--both comprehension and creative writing--to middle- and high-school students.

Advanced Institute participants receive, materials and are eligible for one (1) continuing education credit through UND. The first 15 people to register are eligible for a stipend of $50.

Supported by Marci Glessner and the RRVWP, Poetry in the Classroom will be lead by Dr. Heidi Czwerwiec, whose chapbook Hiking the Maze, was released in January. Heidi is an assistant professor of literature and creative writing at the University of North Dakota.

How Can I Register?
By June 30, send a letter or email of interest to Marci Glessner at the address below. If you are taking the institute for continuing ed credit, you'll also need to register at www.conted.und.edu/educators/. You may, however, attend the Advanced Institute without enrolling in continuing education.

Once we receive your letter or email of interest, we will confirm your registration and stipend. Stipends are designed to reimburse the cost of continuing ed registration and are limited to the first 15 people who register and must be confirmed through the RRVWP even if you register with continuing education.

Sign up by sending letters or emails of interest to:

Marci Glessner
815 Belmont Road
Grand Forks, ND 58201

marci.glessner@und.edu
701-780-0996

Open Institute 2009:
Because Writing Matters (Fargo, ND)

June 15-18, 2009
8:30 AM--12:30 PM
Nativity Elementary School
Fargo, North Dakota
Registration Deadline: May 30, 2009.

What Can I Expect from this Institute?
The open institute is a mini-version of the Red River
Valley Writing Project Summer Institute. Just as in the
Summer Institute, participants will read, discuss, and share ideas about teaching writing as well as hear ideas used by Red River Valley Writing Project teachers. This institute seeks to honor and nurture the expertise of teachers by following the model of the National Writing Project's philosophy of "teachers teaching teachers."

Open Institute participants receive a $50 stipend, materials, and a supportive community of fellow teachers. Participants are eligible
for one (1) continuing education credit. The $50
stipend reimburses the cost of continuing education
registration. Stipends are limited to the first 20 people who register.