WhARTon nARraTives Art and Writing Exhibit Opens February 11

Exhibition of artwork and writing from the Artbound! and Writers in the Schools (WITS) residencies at Wharton Elementary

Writers in the Schools and Art League Houston have partnered to present WhARTon NARraTives, an exhibition of over sixty pieces of artwork and writing by second and third grade students from the Wharton Elementary School who have been taking part in Art League Houston’s Artbound! and Writer in the Schools In-School residency programs. The exhibition opens with a free public reception between 2:00 – 5:00 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012, and runs through March 2, 2012 in the Project Gallery, 1953 Montrose Blvd. City Council Member Ellen Cohen will be the keynote speaker.

Through the  collaborative project called Artbound!, Art League Houston brings visual artists into the classroom to make the arts more accessible to inner-city youth. WhARTon NARraTives, the first exhibition of its kind at this dual-language academy, showcases the synergy that results when visual arts and writing come together. For more information, visit Art League Houston’s website.

Photos by Art League Houston via Flickr

January 27, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: creativity, event, writers in the schools, writing | Post a comment

Tagged , , , , , |

Landon Godfrey’s New Book of Poems

Cider Press Review just published former Writers in the Schools (WITS) writer Landon Godfrey’s first book of poems Second-Skin Rhinestone-Spangled Nude Soufflé Chiffon Gown.

David St. John selected her manuscript for the Cider Press Review’s book award in 2009.

If you’re interested in buying the book, you can find it at the Cider Press bookstore as well as book stores such as Malaprop’s in Asheville, NC. Amazon also carries it.

 
January 26, 2012 – 1:19 pm Categories: contest, poetry, publishing, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , , , |

January

English: Traditional Devil's Food Birthday Cake

Image via Wikipedia

(inspired by Joe Brainard’s book-length poem I Remember)

I remember when we ate black-eyed peas for good luck

but then we had bad luck because our dog died

I remember when it got so cold we had to wear mittens and

then the next week we wore flip flops because it was 75 degrees

I remember going to a Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and then not

being able to remember where we parked our car

I  remember getting poison ivy, which I thought would be dead in

January

I remember this month the best because it’s my birthday and

my mom lets me pick what kind of cake I want

By Jazz, 4th grade

January 26, 2012 – 11:30 am Categories: writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , , , |

What Grandpa Says

English: UTEP cheerleaders leading the festivi...

Image via Wikipedia

Eat like a champ

Take a shower when you smell

Quit acting like a dumb kid

Don’t bother your mom

Don’t bother your sister

Stay in school

By Tucker, 7th grade

January 25, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: family, humor, poetry, student, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , , |

Win a Scholarship to Young Writers Program at Kenyon College

Picture this: Having your ideas take shape among the rolling hills and sprawling trees that make up the historic campus of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Even better, imagine winning a scholarship to send you there! The Kenyon Review invites high-school students ages 16-18 to an intensive 2-week writing workshop as part of its Young Writers Program taking place June 24-July 7 and July 15-28th. The program offers a supportive, challenging, and rewarding environment for youths to express themselves among their peers and gain insight from leading instructors in literature. Click here for more information and to apply.

What: Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop

Where: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH

Cost: $2,275 includes tuition, accommodations, meals, and activities. Need-based scholarships available.

Contact: (740) 427-5207 or youngwriters@kenyonreview.org

January 24, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: education, poetry, student, travel, writer, writers in the schools, writing | Comments (2)

Tagged , , , |

Self-Portrait

Young man -4 - 2005

Image via Wikipedia

When will it be my turn? When

will I have the last supper with the

rest of my family and loved ones?  When

will I have to face my enemies and

tell them, “I am ready to die and give

myself to the world.” When will I take

a stand?  When will I realize that I

must stand up for what I believe in,

despite how others may feel.  Am

I ready to die? Everyone lives their

life, day to day not thinking of how

to make their world better throughout

the day.  Do I want to study fashion?

How will going to Morehouse make me

happy?  What should I do today to

make myself happy? Why do I sing?

Who loves me? Why am I a social

whore? Why is it so hard for me to

cling to one person? Why do I suck

up? Why am I a hypocrite, am I

a hypocrite? Who am I? What is my

purpose in life, when will I

discover it?

By Andre, high school

January 23, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: poetry, self-portrait, student, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Sad Truth

Photo from the Houston Post Collection. Courtesy of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library

Over there, water
Fountains for black people
Over there, water
Fountains for white people.
Screaming people
Arguing, raising fists
Putting up bad signs
“Negro Stay Out”
Hauling people
Away in trucks
Sending them to jail
Hurting people
Little kids walking on old
Burned down houses
Running for their lives
People writing VOTE

By Diego, 2nd grade

January 20, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: poetry | Post a comment

Tagged , , |

Wake Up

Dr Pepper bottle

Image via Wikipedia

(inspired by Anis Mojgani’s “Direct Orders”)

Wake up like there’s no tomorrow

Wake up like you’ve had a bad dream

Wake up like there’s a tiger racing after you

Wake up like the sky is falling

Wake up like your house is on fire

Wake up like you’re being chased down the street

Wake up like you’re Batman beating the Joker

Wake up like you’re late for basketball practice

Wake up like you didn’t finish your homework

Wake up like you’re ready to start the day

Wake up like you’re happy to see your friends

Wake up before you fall back to sleep

Wake up like you have a fridge full of Dr. Pepper

Wake up like it’s time for the cheer competition

Wake up like the universe is ending and

you only have one chance to be yourself.

By Alyssa, 11

January 19, 2012 – 1:17 pm Categories: inspiration, poetry, writers in the schools | Comments (1)

Teachers to Develop New Ideas on Digital Learning Day

Daicy wins aramark IPAD 5-6-2011-8710

Photo by ortizmiddleschool via Flickr

Schools across the nation are signing up for Digital Learning Day, a national campaign that celebrates innovation in the classrooms on February 1st. On this day, administrators, teachers, parents, and students everywhere will unite to discuss the ways in which technology has revolutionized the curriculum and exchange ideas on how to improve computer literacy.

Started by the Alliance for Excellent Education, Digital Learning Day empowers members of the education community with a number of resources and tool kits that are available on the group’s website. Their professional development offerings include interdisciplinary lesson plans, digital learning examples by district, and webinars.

Individuals are encouraged to participate in this free event no matter what their technical skill level. Best of all, colleagues who spread the word about Digital Learning Day can win a $100 grant for their classroom. Be the first Houston school to get on board with Digital Learning Day by signing up today!

January 18, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: contest, creativity, education, event, Lesson plan, teaching, writers in the schools | Comments (1)

Tagged , , |

Congratulations to Helms Elementary Students!

Three Writers in the Schools (WITS) students at Helms Elementary (HISD) will have their winning poems published in the Young Writers of America Annual Students Anthology!

Congratulations to 3rd graders Joshua Martinez, Bella Corona, and Emily De Leon, who are students in Ms. Jennifer Martinez’s class and work weekly with Writers in the Schools (WITS) writer Yolanda Schulte-Ladbeck.

Here is Bella’s poem:

What I Learned from my Uncle

I learned from my Uncle how to be funny.  I know how to make my Mom and Dad laugh.

I learned from my Uncle how to communicate in sign language.  I can teach my friends now.

I learned from my Uncle how to look for pictures in the sky.  I can find me riding horses in clouds.

I learned from my Uncle how to say kind words.  I don’t say bad words and I stay away from strangers.

I learned from my Uncle how to decorate my room.  I have stars in my room that glow.

To read the other winning poems, please visit Helms Elementary website.  Go, students!Writer at work 259/355

Photo by immsm via Flickr

January 17, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: contest, education, Houston, poetry, publishing, student, student writing contest, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , , |

Meet Award-Winning Children’s Author Christopher Paul Curtis

Cool Brains! Inprint Readings for Young People presents Christopher Paul Curtis, on Sunday, January 15th, at Johnson Middle School Auditorium in Houston, TX.  This FREE event for parents and their children features the acclaimed author of middle grade books such as Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963.  Curtis is the first African-American man to win the Newbery Medal and is the recipient of many other awards. He’s in town to share excerpts from his seventh book The Mighty Miss Malone.  Meet and greet the author this Saturday.  For directions and additional information, please visit the Inprint website.  See you there!

January 13, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: event, Reading, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , , , , |

My Passions

Radio Lollipop logo

Image via Wikipedia

I love music because it clears my mind.  When I’m in a good mood, I listen to Indie music on the radio.  The first time I ever heard Radio Lollipop (a fully equipped radio station staffed by a team of volunteers at Texas Children’s Hospital) was January 31, 2011.  I was in a bed feeling down on the 9th floor.  It was just my second day, and I was thinking about home.  When the music came on, I listened for a while.  Music is a way to daydream for me.  Someday I’d like to be a professional cello player. I learned how to play in 5th grade, and I feel in a better place when I play.  I had to quit when I got sick, but I want to start again.  Writing is another art that I like.  I use it to express myself.  I don’t share everything I write, but I think it helps me to get it out.  I remember I wrote a story once about two kids in an enchanted forest.  I don’t get writer’s block usually.  The words just flow out and onto the paper.  If I could tell people something, I would say that there are lots of ways to express yourself and to go out and find your passion.  For me, it is music and writing.

By Jasmine, 10th grade

January 12, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: creativity, education, essay, Houston, illness | Post a comment

Tagged , , , , , |

Deborah Frontiera Celebrates New Book

What: WITS Writer Deborah K. Frontiera celebrates the release of her memoir, Fighting CPS.

When: Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 3-5 PM

Where: River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 Westheimer @ River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX 77098, ph. 713-520-0061

Cost: Free and open to the public

More about the author

Deborah Frontiera grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and came to Houston in 1985. She taught kindergarten, pre-K, and K-5 science in HISD for over twenty years and was part of the Project A.C.C.E.S.S. curriculum writing project. Experienced at presenting workshops for teachers and writers, she is published in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s works with eight books currently in print. For more information, visit her website.

January 11, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: books, event, Houston, writer, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , |

Walking Down the Street

His Entire World...Homeless man and his best f...

Image by Beverly & Pack via Flickr

When I walk down my street

I hear pit bulls barking and

it scares me

I see teenagers hanging out

on the corner and

it scares me

Everyone knows my

grandma so

they leave me

alone

She says just mind

my own business

and keep walking.

By Shantee, 3rd grade

January 10, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: poetry, student, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged , |

2012 January Early Literacy Conference

Every summer Writers in the Schools (WITS) partners with Rice School Literacy and Culture Project (SLC) to host Summer Creative Writing Workshops across the city of Houston.  We are pleased to let you know about their January Early Literacy Conference, which takes place this Saturday, January 14th, at Rice University.  If you value creativity in the classroom, then you won’t want to miss this!

Here is a blurb from their website:

A 2010 IBM survey of international business leaders cited creativity as the most important skill in today’s economy. How does this finding impact the real world of schools, teachers, and students? Join the School Literacy and Culture Project of Rice University’s Center for Education for our 13th annual half-day early literacy conference as we focus on practical ideas for supporting creative thinking and problem-solving in the classroom.

Dr. Patsy Cooper (SLC’s Founding Director), Associate Professor of Education at Queens College, City University of New York, and Karen Capo (SLC’s current Director) will deliver the opening address. Karen will set the stage by asking the question, What is Creativity and Why Does It Matter? Patsy will provide our first perspective, The Very Practical Role of Imagination in Early Literacy.  This year we will offer two featured breakout sessions. We are pleased to welcome Anthony Brandt, Associate Professor of Composition at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, who will inspire all educators with his session, Why Young Minds Need Art.  Also,Patsy Cooper will reprise her popular keynote from last year, Let’s Try It Again: A Positive Approach to Helping Young Children Recover from Their Missteps and Misbehavior.

Other breakout sessions for teachers of toddlers through second grades, led by School Literacy and Culture Project (SLC) staff and guests, will include several on SLC’s renowned language/literacy based storytelling curriculum for first time attendees as well as a variety of other sessions addressing special interests such as toddler literacy, bilingual concerns, integrated curriculum, and creative writing for the school-age child. Details will be available in mid-December on this web page.

Attendance is limited, so please register early! For the past few years, the conference has filled quickly.

January 9, 2012 – 9:30 am Categories: creativity, education, Houston, writers in the schools | Post a comment

Tagged |

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,029 other followers