For Educators

Programs for Educators

Kernels of Wisdom: Reclaiming Narrative Writing in the Classroom

Saturday, November 3, 2018, 9 a.m. to noon
White Hall, Kent State University
Cost: $30 Contact Hours: 3
Keynote speaker: Dr. Lori Wilfong,
author of Writing Strategies that Work: Do This! Not That!
Register now!

Join Power of the Pen and the National Writing Project at Kent State University (NWP-KSU) for a morning of high-energy sessions focused on bringing out the best in students’ personal and creative narrative writing. We will explore strategies for helping students turn the kernel of an idea into a compelling story. The morning will feature a keynote followed by your choice of two of five breakout sessions. Every attendee will receive a Power of the Pen prompt book (a great resource for all teachers of writers) and a journal. Snacks are included. Following are sessions planned for the morning.

Keynote: Reclaiming Narrative Writing in the ELA Classroom
Lori Wilfong
Associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University
and co-director of NWP-KSU

Breakout Sessions
Mining for Gold
Alexa Sandmann
Director of the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies and project director of NWP-KSU
The Art of the Mini-Lesson
Lori Wilfong
Associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University
and co-director of NWP-KSU
I Like Your Style, Kid: Using Rhetorical Devices to Pump Up Your Prose
Jeff Harr
Teacher, Roosevelt High School, Kent
Flash Fiction Fun
Ann Hagedorn
Teacher, Tallmadge Middle School, Tallmadge
Judging at a Power of the Pen Tournament (Session 1)
Barb Tschantz
Instructor, Kent State University, and Power of the Pen Northern Region Director
Small Moments: Getting to the Heart of the Story (Session 2)
Barb Tschantz
Instructor, Kent State University, and Power of the Pen Northern Region Director

The program is ideal for anyone looking for new ideas to draw out the writer in every student; perfect for Power of the Pen coaches!

Participation is limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Register online by November 1. For more information, contact nwp@kent.edu.

Save the Date!

Invitational Summer Institute

Write Here! Write Now!
Living the Reading-Writing Connection

Thursday, June 13, 2019
Moulton Hall at Kent State University
Keynote: Dr. Timothy Rasinski
of Kent State University

Dr. Timothy Rasinski, professor of literacy at Kent State University, has written over 250 articles and has authored, co-authored or edited over 50 books or curriculum programs on reading education. He is author of the bestselling book on reading fluency entitled The Fluent Reader, published by Scholastic, and coauthor of the award-winning vocabulary program called Building Vocabulary, published by Teacher Created Materials. His scholarly interests include reading fluency and word study, readers who struggle, and parental involvement. In 2010, he was elected to the International Reading Hall of Fame.

The Invitational Summer Institute, NWP-KSU's flagship program, immerses educators in writing and reading. Participants learn the power of writing alongside students and engage in strategies to continuously improve writing instruction in their own schools. Alumni of the Institute become National Writing Project teacher consultants, who serve as leaders in writing instruction.
NWP-KSU offers Invitational Summer Institutes at multiple sites in Northern Ohio each year. The 2018 Institutes concluded in June. Watch for details on the 2019 sites!

Summer Workshops

Book Clubs

Each summer, NWP-KSU offers workshops in the teaching of writing. In 2018, our workshop focused on the National Writing Project's College, Career, and Community Writers Program. The program provides tools and resources for incorporating argumentative writing throughout the school year.

The Wandering Book Club meets in the Akron-Cleveland area throughout the school year.

Mahoning Valley Book Club meets year-round at the border of Boardman and Canfield.