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A creative writing workshop for K-12 teachers with Keynote Speaker Mike Fejes presented by National Writing Project at ������ and Power of the Pen. Saturday, December 7, 2024, 9:00 am-12:00 pm (Online - Synchronous via Zoom).

The keynote was followed by breakout sessions led by NWP-KSU teacher consultants and Power of the Pen coaches. Designed to empower all writing teachers and particularly Power of the Pen coaches, this workshop provided strategies and ideas to immediately take back to the classroom.

NWP-KSU Teacher Consultants met on October 16, 2024 to learn about Write Out 2024: Poetry for the Planet (October 13-27, 2024), and planned activities for their classrooms. Educators met at the Ledges Shelter and are pictured here at the picnic table this summer. Limon chose Jean Valentine's "The valley" for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the poem is installed on the picnic table.

Hosted by Lawrence Upper School, 10036 Olde Eight Rd, Sagamore Hills. July 29 - August 1, 2024, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm

Credit Available:

• Institute Only: $250 to NWP-KSU (Could be covered by your district)
• Opt for Credit (S or U): 2 graduate workshop credits. Cost: an additional $330 fee to Kent State

Optional Graduate Credit Registration Available

Lori Wilfong, Director of the National Writing Project at ������, hosted a four-session book study to examine Dashka Slater's The 57 Bus and Accountable. Participants learned strategies for teaching nonfiction. The workshop met online for one hour once per month from February through May.

On April 29, 2023, NWP-KSU and The National Park Service offered a morning workshop called "Words Taking Flight: Inspiring Writing through Place-Based Education" at The Ledges Shelter in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. National Park Service Education Specialist Heather Berenson led us on an amazing bird walk filled with quotes like:

• “Birds are sounds of life and holders of unknown stories."
• “You start bird watching, and the whole world opens up to you.”
• “Loosen your eyes as you search for birds in their environment.”

Teacher Consultant Maggie Chernick inspired us with an excellent presentation titled The World Is Our Classroom accompanied by a handout that highlighted work in her classroom as well as resources for incorporating place-based education in any classroom.

Participant reflections included:

• "I feel so energized by today’s workshop. Thanks for giving me a new language for this work and for all the resources."
• "I feel more empowered to reach out to the community as a resource for learning. I look forward to building a fresh standards-based writing program with a science/s.s. focus that utilizes place-based learning."
• "This workshop has helped me think about ways to connect my kindergartners to their families and communities."

NWP-KSU teacher consultants from around the state met for our first NWP-KSU Reunion on February 11, 2023. Dr. Lori Wilfong, NWP-KSU director, welcomed attendees to the Kent Stark Campus with coffee and breakfast. Former NWP-KSU Director Dr. Alexa Sandmann inspired us with a short talk titled “Writing: The Art of It”. A Grounds for Thought gave us all the opportunity to write and share. We enjoyed a book swap, shared lessons, and relaxed and reconnected with NWP friends and colleagues. ​

More than 50 educators from throughout Ohio attended the 5th Annual Kernels of Wisdom Workshop held online Saturday, November 5, 2022. Presented by the National Writing Project at ������ and Power of the Pen, Kernels of Wisdom focuses on effective and engaging teaching of narrative writing.

The keynote speakers, Power of the Pen coaches Jenn Sauvey and Beth Toerner of Wyoming Middle School, discussed ways to guide students in developing characters that readers care deeply about. TCs Jeff Harr, Jean Kanzinger, and Tammy Sullivan led breakout sessions on writing a gripping climax, using description effectively, and working with younger writers.The morning also included a Power of the Pen track related to coaching and judging.

Participants shared their enthusiasm:

• "I feel excited to write with my students! They will love using phobias to inspire story ideas. I also can't wait to use the NY Times photos in some of my lessons."
• "I'm excited to rework my current narrative writing unit to include craft moves as revision steps!"
• "Keynote Gold! Thanks to the keynote speakers for a wonderful session packed with ideas and generous resources. I'm eager to share the craft exercises as I use picture books as well and it will be a great fit for my students!"
• "I need to write more with my students. I had so much fun writing creatively today during the sessions, and I realized that I haven't stretched those muscles in a while!"​