Miami University

Teachers from all grade levels come together in this annual four-week summer workshop to study contemporary approaches to the teaching of writing and to share with one another their best classroom techniques. They attend workshops and presentations given by outstanding OWP associates (grades K-12) and return to the classroom with ideas, suggestions, and strategies for assigning, receiving, and evaluating writing While at the workshop, teachers develop their own writing and editing skills and learn ways to implement Ohio’s Language Arts/National Common Core standards. Participants enjoy extended periods of free writing time, small peer editing groups, individual conferences with Miami faculty, and numerous special events, such as readings at Miami’s Art Museum, brown-bag discussions on special topics, book talks with teachers from their own grade levels, and open-mike readings.

Instructors: Helane Adams Androne, Miami University and Charley Hoce, National Trail Elementary

Paint. Markers. Writers? Teachers will read and write about integrating art into their classrooms in a variety of forms, genre, and styles. Workshop discussions and readings will consider ways art stimulates and enhances literacy. Participants will work with OWP teacher leaders, practice age appropriate strategies for connecting art with reading and writing, and create their own classroom art models.

Instructors: Bre Griffith, Wyandot ECC and Randi Michna, Lebanon HS

Teachers will explore a variety of approaches for bringing the international world into the classroom. This exploration will include looking closely at how we define ourselves and others in the world and how to develop for our students a sense of the international. The focus will be on reading, writing, and learning with a transnational lens. Participants will read a range of texts including picture books, poetry, websites, short fiction and essays from professional journals. Our goals are to explore the purposes of connecting to the world beyond national borders and to exchange practical ideas and strategies for K-12 classrooms.

Instructors: Susan Morgan, Miami University and Beth Rimer, 7-12 certified

In this workshop teachers will develop their own narrative voices and storytelling skills as well as design grade-level appropriate assignments that will encourage their students to become accomplished and enthusiastic storytellers.  Using grade level mentor texts and new multimedia technologies, we will discuss how to cultivate creative voice in both fiction and nonfiction writing and how to construct a creative writing workshop that encourages community and that actively engages students through varied approaches to the creative process.

Instructors: Eric Goodman, Miami University and Jill VanHimbergen, 7-12 certified

Are you looking for ways to inspire thoughtful, engaged reading in your classroom? In this two-week workshop, teachers will explore a variety of approaches to stimulate thinking in response to reading a text.  The workshop will feature daily writing time, interaction with a variety of texts, and the exchange of practical ideas. The focus will be on using written response as a way to encourage inquiry, cultivate critical thinking, develop analysis and create a student-centered classroom.

Instructors: Beth Rimer, 7-12 certified and Kristen Lazuta, Western Row Elem