for teachers |
IWT in Practice
What participants SayWhat secondary teachers have had to say about Institute workshops:excerpt from post-workshop written evaluations and e-mail messages to the Institute staff. "I have learned many writing practices that I will definitely use in my classroom." —English teacher, grades 9-12. Writing and Thinking "The experience at Bard College was transformative—all the people, from fellow students to instructors to support staff renew my faith in American education which is ultimately based on people who care about and love learning." —English teacher, grades 11-12. Thinking Through Narrative "I have worked hard in my classes to develop students' abilities to think about history through writing. Many of the techniques we have practiced here have helped me to understand the value of unstructured writing in developing thought and I plan to incorporate several activities to promote this kind of writing and thinking." —History, grades 7 and 9. Writing to Learn "It was helpful to work on something related to what I teach. I was also helpful to work on something that I don't teach to actually experience it as a student." — Biology, grade 9. Writing to Learn Math and Science "I am looking forward to this workshop [Writer as Reader, November 2001] for your workshops are like a shot of adrenaline. Afterwards, I am not only inspired but energized." —Social Studies Teacher, grades 9-10, Writer as Reader In response to the question, on the workshop evaluation,"What aspects of this workshop were especially interesting, helpful, or memorable?" Teachers have said: "Looking at texts differently broadened my ideas about texts and how to get students to enter them." —U.S. History teacher, grade 11, Writing to Learn "In addition to the pleasure of reading and rereading texts, I enjoy writing in a community of teachers and learners. The Ann Lauterbach poetry reading was especially memorable—will stay with me and her words encouraged me to thing about Hamlet from a fresh perspective." —English, A.P. English and British Lit. Writer as Reader and Workshop on Hamlet and Oedipus [weeklong workshop] "I have already had discussions with a colleague to put these new strategies in the revision of our science curriculum." —Biology 9th grade, Human Anatomy, 12th grade. Writing to Read and Scientific Texts and Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series. "The workshop has reminded me of the value of writing to the thinking process and results have inspired me to increase the use informal writing in all of my classes. The writing and the reflection were essential to constructing the meaning of the article." — Biology, 9-12 grades. Writing to Read Scientific Texts and Distinguished Scientist Lecture "Are you kidding? This is so awesome!" —Language Arts, 6th grade . Writing and Thinking "The workshop format allows us to hear just about equally from each member of the group—a rare treat" —English, grades 11, 12. Writing and Thinking "The way that texts can be paired and read together, ways to frame questions that help students explore and that enrich their reading of the text—I can use many of these ideas. There was an openness to the discussion that allowed me to translate how this would be used I the 7th grade." —Social Studies, 7th grade. Writer as Reader : Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and the photography of Carrie Mae Weems. "As a Bard Institute workshop veteran I can say that as usual, the work here as been a fresh experience—with Alice Munro's stories, the facilitator, with the individuals in the group." —English, 10th and 12th grades. Writer as Reader : Alice Munro's Lives of Girls and Women and the poetry of Brenda Hillman. back to top |