Every year organizations dedicated to reading and freedom of speech unite to sponsor Banned Books Week (BBW). This year the annual event will be celebrated September 24- October 1, 2011. If you are unable to participate in a local event in your city, then please join in the first-ever national virtual read-out. Libraries and bookstores [...]
The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities recently released a report entitled “Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools.” It describes an educational system in crisis and suggests that arts-rich schools may be the answer to this country’s dire situation. One of the most potent recommendations is to increase the [...]
5 Reasons to Get WITS in your School I Am Somalia Pakistan Who I Am I am a Seashell Flower Power The Sun I Am Like a Flower Yellow Ode to Summer Skateboarding Poetry Takes Shape My Name Ode to the Color Black My Epic Hero
Have you heard about Gulf Coast Reads: On the Same Page, a “one book, one city” program that will take place through September 30th, 2011? Everyone in the the city of Houston is invited to read and discuss the book One Amazing Thing by author Chitra Divakaruni, an internationally acclaimed writer who is featured in one of our WITS [...]
By Marcia
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Also posted in books, Houston, publishing, Reading, story, writers in the schools
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Tagged Arts and Entertainment, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Fort Bend County Libraries, Gulf Coast Reads: On the Same Page, Harris County Public Library, Houston, Houston Public Library, Libraries, One Amazing Thing, One book, one city, United States
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WITS welcomes new and returning writers to the 2011-2012 school year with two exciting afternoons of training on Friday, August 26th, and Saturday, August 27th. Renee Watson, author, actress, and teaching artist for Community Word Project, will kick off orientation with a workshop on Talking Back to the World: Empowering Students to Define Themselves through [...]
If you’re a teacher trying to figure out her first-day-of-school writing prompt, visit the Northern Nevada Writing Project (NNWP) for some wonderful, interactive writing lessons that will get you off to a brilliant beginning. The NNWP WritingFix page is set up for teachers and features many helpful ideas, routines, and practices for the writing classroom. [...]
By Marcia
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Also posted in inspiration, Lesson plan, publishing, teaching, writers in the schools
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Tagged Classroom, Education, Educators, K through 12, Lesson plan, student, teacher, Teaching Resources
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In order to continue serving Houston’s low income students, WITS has reduced fees to levels used in the 1990s. Interested parents, teachers, and school administrators can find out more about this opportunity here.
5) Students gain self-esteem through authorship and public performances. 4) In 10 years of data, WITS students show marked improvement in literacy skills and higher standardized test scores. 3) We tailor the project to match your students’ needs and your school’s budget. 2) WITS in-services and professional development workshops have changed teachers’ lives. 1) WITS [...]
By WITS Houston
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Also posted in creativity, essay, Houston, teaching, writers in the schools, writing
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Tagged empowering writers, get wits, Professional development, professional development for teachers, Standardized test, texas, wits
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When I applied to intern at Writers in the Schools (WITS), I wasn’t exactly sure what I would learn. As an education major, I had no background in creative writing and very limited experience with non-profits. I wondered what sort of insights would I gain from working with WITS. Two short months later, I am leaving [...]
By jrwatson5
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Also posted in art, creativity, Houston, imagination, teaching, writers in the schools, writing
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Tagged creative writing, Education, Houston Internship, intern, summer internship, teacher, teaching internship, WITS Internship
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TIME Specials recently posted an article called Top Ten Things Today’s Kids Won’t Experience. I laughed when I read things like Camera Film, Landline Phones, and even Getting Lost! #3 on the list is Real Books (and of course, the door-to-door encyclopedia salesman). Josh Sanburn explains that the way we consume reading material has [...]
WITS is looking for 10-12 writers who can teach the joy of creative writing to young people. Employment is part-time, typically 2-6 hours of teaching one day a week from September – May. A yearlong commitment is required; however, writers who are selected to be on the WITS roster are not guaranteed immediate teaching opportunities. The [...]
By jrwatson5
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Also posted in fiction, Houston, poetry, teaching, writer, writers in the schools, writing
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Tagged creative writing teacher, paid writing jobs, teacher jobs, teacher positions, teaching creative writing, teaching jobs in Texas, writers in residence, writing jobs
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Studies have shown that creativity is higher on average for first and second-generation immigrants and for bilinguals than for others. Experts think that these groups share the ability to adapt and to be flexible. WITS has designed numerous projects to tap into the creativity of first and second-generation immigrants and bilinguals, including the very popular [...]
High school students, enter to win a $25,000 scholarship to Idyllwild Arts Academy and get published in Parallax Magazine. The deadline is July 15, 2011. For more information, click here.
I used to go into classrooms with a very clear idea of the poems and stories I wanted the students to create. I imagined beautiful, lyrical language, deep emotional revelations, memorable, personal themes. Then I started reading some of the research about boys and writing. I learned from experts such as Ralph Fletcher and Peg [...]
I love the feverish energy at the end of every school year. It’s fun to watch the kids’ excitement build to a wild pitch as they run through the halls and shout, “School is almost out! School is almost out!” This week HISD students are enjoying end-of-the-year parties and graduation ceremonies. Friday is almost here! [...]
