July+12

This morning Rod asked us to share about some of the books we have been reading from the IWP Library.
 * HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTY!**

Many were about the writing process, a few were about editing, evaluation and rewriting. The consensus seemed to be that the library had a wealth of resources for both writers and teachers of writing.

Time was provided for reading journal articles found in Section IV of the notebook dealing with teacher responses to student writing. Rod chose not to assign specific articles this round, but highlighted a number them which he highly recommended. Tomorrow, the class will not convene until 10 AM, allowing members time to read before discussion.

Technology specialist Susan Bentley presented the group with an overview of the National Writing Project's website and registered everyone as members of the site. Nwp.org is a place where IWP members can connect, communicate, and network with Writing Project members nation wide, join in discussions, share their work, and give feedback on that of others. This is a website with a vast array of resources and uses.

Susan also shared a variety of other websites which can be useful for getting students involved inn a variety of ways, from collaboration,and illustration, to analysis and invention. Links to just some of these sites are included on the "Fun for writers on the web" page of this Wiki. Mrs. Bentley assured us that her full list would be posted on the IWP website at [|http://www.uni.edu/continuinged/iwp/resources]Members were asked to read Jane Warren's piece, "Identical Twins; A Mother's Story" over lunch and discuss it when class reconvened at 1:30 PM.

Marty distributed index cards after lunch fishing for similes & metaphors with the writing prompt- "Writing is like..."

We responded to Jane's piece. It was a very powerful, emotional and provocative piece, and yet in many ways evocative of common experiences. It must have taken a lot of courage to write.

Jane read a draft for a children's book based on the same story, "Born Together to Grow Apart; Twinless Twins." The book is intended for helping survivors of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome and their siblings. Two of the books strengths are it's rhyme and it's closure. Ideas were floated for who or how to illustrate it.

Erin shared a work in progress for us to read during break and respond to when we reconvene. Marty asked us to write a "PQP" letter to Erin. Then she introduced a new evaluative process called the "silent reading table." Authors staple a few sheets a ruled paper to the back or each piece they're sharing, then readers record their praise and questions on the paper after reading their classmate's works.

Marty shared a list of writing prompt ideas from Abigail Thomas' 'Thinking About Memoir.'

We discussed the variety of different formats of response to reading that have been introduced over the last few days. Tomorrow we may look at a system called "Rotating Writers."

Rod reminded us of the delayed starting time tomorrow. They encourage us to post responses on the eAnthology site (NWP). Our morning discussion will focus on the response articles in Notebook Section IV.