Dear Friend of VWC,

Wow, where did the year go????

We know you are super busy, so we will keep this newsletter short – more like a “newsflash”, actually!

Just two items:
We are introducing Knowledge Matters, a wonderful new organization in the world of literacy!
We are extending the deadline to register for the Summer Institute.

Read on, please!

“Aha!” Lightbulb Moments

Knowledge Matters! 
Yes, indeed it does!

We at the Vermont Writing Collaborative were delighted to hear about the formal launch of the Knowledge Matters campaign.

This is a new organization to remind us of a very common-sense idea: the more we know and understand about the world, the better we are able to understand what we read.

And as we know from our work with writing instruction, knowledge matters there too – in fact, it is impossible to write  effectively without knowledge of the subject.

 Knowledge matters!

We urge you strongly to check out the Knowledge Matters campaign and website, and to come back to it again and again.

2016 Vermont Writing Collaborative Summer Institute
Registration Extended until June 8

Vermont is beautiful, the lake is warming up, and the kayaks are waiting….

Please register now – we’ll be glad to see you!


The 2016 Vermont Writing Collaborative Summer Institute is all about tools and resources. It will give you what you need to make clear, thoughtful, proficient writing  happen – for all teachers, to help all kids.

What will you leave the 2016 Summer Institute with?

In your head…

* a deep understanding of how integrating reading, writing and content can work in the classroom

In your hands…
* examples of proficient student work
* sequences of integrated WU instruction at the grade levels you need for “right away” use in classrooms
* tools for planning / designing / customizing instruction
* PD materials for working with teams of teachers
* hot-off-the-press “Rule of Three” WU sequences of instruction
* a curated list of links to free, high-quality electronic resources

 

 In your heart…
* the belief that ALL children can learn to write effectively
* the energy to dig right in!
 
When: 
June 27 – July 1, 2016
Where:  
Vermont’s beautiful Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont

Highlights of the Week

Writing for Understanding Sequences: take the mystery out of teaching writing
Real Teachers, Real Students, Real Results: learn what works from teachers “in the trenches”
Activities for Close Reading: support students in working with complex text K-12
Research Packs: guide research and text based writing with these clear and simple tools
One Fell Swoop: see how to teach all three Common Core writing types in one rich chunk of content

Lakeside Learning:  Share ideas with colleagues in a beautiful, lakefront setting