July 14-18, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Monday- Thursday), 9:00-12:00p.m. (Friday)
Registration Deadline: May 1
Cost: $350

The National Writing Project’s Open Institute is a five-day professional development experience designed to move teachers through a process of self-awareness as a writer into self-awareness as a teacher of writing. Critical to this process is reflection on one’s own experience in the context of current theories about teaching writing. As a participant, you will read about topics relevant to the process of writing and the teaching of writing. Participants will write, frequently! Teachers from all disciplines and grade levels are welcome to participate. The experience is enriched when teachers across grades and subject areas can write together and share their writing.

The Open Institute will assist you to

• Write in a variety of genres
• Share your writing in small and large groups
• Provide and receive constructive feedback
• Make decisions about revision
• Reflect on your own writing
• Apply your self-reflection to your teaching
• Develop effective strategies for sharing your writing process with your students
• Develop effective strategies for teaching writing

Participants must attend all five days and will earn 25 professional development hours. Attendance is limited to 20 participants, and teachers from our partner districts will be given first priority. Registration information is available at www.nwprutgers.org. Direct questions to Maggie Devine at outreach@nwprutgers.org.