Summer Institute
Sat, 01/23/2010 - 19:37 — admin
Three Bridges Writing Project is accepting applications for its invitational Summer Institute.
Applications are due by March 1, 2010. For more information about Summer Institute and to complete the online application, follow the links below.
Summer Institute 2010
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 13:41 — Peggy MurphyApplications for Three Bridges Invitational Summer Institute at Marshall University will be available online on February 1, 2010. Below you will find information about the program. If you have further questions please contact Peggy Henderson Murphy at murphderson@gmail.com.
INVITATIONAL SUMMER INSTITUTE
FAQ
What is the writing project?
The National Writing Project's mission is to focus the knowledge, expertise, and leadership of our nation's educators on sustained efforts to improve writing and learning for all learners.
The National Writing project is a network of 200+ sites supported by Universities, public schools and through federal grants.
What is the difference between Three Bridges and Marshall University Writing Project?
Marshall University Writing Project is the site to which Three Bridges belongs. MUWP holds two summer institutes one in Logan West Virginia and one on Marshall's campus. In order to differentiate between the two summer institutes we call the one held on campus Three Bridges. We thought this was appropriate because our summer fellows come from Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. It is part of our mission to create a bridge of communication and practice between the teachers within the tri-state area.
Do I have to be a creative writer to be part of this organization or its summer writing institute?
No. Teachers come to the Summer Writing Institute to share and learn with other teachers skills and strategies of teaching, writing and teaching writing.
What will be required of me as a MUWP Summer Writing Institute participant?
You will participate in an intensive workshop which will transform you as a person and as a teacher, and as a teacher of teachers. In the Summer Writing Institute, teachers share
(1) their best practices of teaching,
(2) their ideas about the profession of teaching
(3) their student success stories
(4) their reflections on the course readings and discussions
(5) their professional and creative writings
What are the dates of the TBWP Invitational Summer Writing Institute?
The 2010 Summer Writing Institute will be held from June 16-- July 8 at Marshall University in Corbly Hall, Rm 467. The day begins at 8:30 a.m and ends at 3:30 p.m, Monday-Friday. You will be required to participate in an Institute Kick-off on the evening of April 16 & for and all day session on April 17th. We will also meet for a Technology day on May 8th and for five follow up activities in the fall. These activities combine to create a five week seminar.
Do I receive graduate credit for this work?
Yes. You must, however, be accepted into graduate school at MU in order to receive the credit. All prior obligations to the university ( if there are any) must be taken care of before the end of the summer institute in order to receive credit for the course. Particiapnts receive 3 graded hours for their summer work and 3 nongraded hours in the Fall. You also receive a stipend of $500 if you are accepted into the program. With tuition and books that is a $2000 reward for each of our participants.
Farewell Meeting
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 12:25 — ianWe will meet at Peggy's house at 10 am for our Summer Institute 2009 Farewell Meeting.
Be sure to bring something to write with and something to write on!
U.S. AIRWAYS FLIGHT 4168
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 17:51 — ianThe following pieces of writing were completed by passengers aboard U.S. Airways Flight 4168 from Huntington, WV to Charlotte, NC. Three Bridges Writing Project TCs were travelling to the National Writing Project Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Other passengers departing for parts unknown were asked to participate as well.
PROMPT: What does it mean to be in-flight? Where are you going? What are you leaving? What do you feel about the landmass receding quickly beneath us? What are we flying over? What is happening while we are underway? What will happen when we deboard and go our separate directions?
Not on the ground was the first thing that came to mind. I do wonder why there is no "out of flight" term. Isn't that what everything else is? I guess that term would not go well with the airlines. I am going into the unknown. I have no idea where I am going or what I am going to do when I get there. I am going to follow. Probably not Mary Frances though because she doesn't know either.
I am leaving family and school. One of which I have little problem leaving behind while the other can make me long for the "in flight" return. Leaving W.V. is a good thing. I always like to go new places, but don't get that opportunity often. I hope to get to see more than the inside of a conference room and hotel room. I don't know what we are flying over other than a sea of clouds. It amazes me that it often appears to be something you could step off the plane and walk across. The passengers are all either reading, writing, or talking--I guess that is good for our group. I wonder if Ian has been able to recruit any of the passengers to join us. From the looks of the people as he was handing out the paper at the gate, I highly doubt it.
In-flight is a transcendent state. I'm in a portal, a worm hole, a tunnel from what I know and am familiar with to possibilities, the unknown, magical or scary places. I'm leaving a sick mother who is being cared for, but my daughter-guilt and sense of responsibility is pulling me to the maroon couch in room 3k346 at King's Daughters. I'm leaving 145 students with movies to pacify them until I return and take up the subjects of Congressional powers, Progressive Era history, and the British Isles.
Yet as the wheels went up and we took flight, my worries, concerns, and obligations to those in the important compartments of my life are ebbing away. Those who cling to me are temporarily detached and as the houses grow smaller, so do my responsibilities. The clouds are peaceful and so am I. Soon we will be in North Carolina, and later Pennsylvania. Then, to quote C.S. Lewis, we will "take the adventure that awaits us."
Once flying was glamorous. Stewardesses were beautiful; being one was the only ticket for a life not Earth bound as a wife, teacher, nurse, or secretary. People dressed up to fly: suits, heels, even hats; fliers were the elite and we dressed the part. We were pampered; able to smoke after take-off; served filet mignon with insignia stamped silver-ware.
Now it is a chore. We're sweatshirted, tennis-shoed, served pretzels as a treat. We count the hours. 17 to Australia would make everything else seem short except that we must go to Charlotte, then Detroit, then to Philadelphia to get to our East Coast destinations. Oh there are occasional flashes of the old glamour--the Royal Thai staff is in rainbow hues and hands us orchids; Paul McCartney rolls his carry-on over my left foot in Heathrow, but those are the exceptions. We expect tedium and hope for sleep.
Until the engines rev, the wheels lift, and the moment which defies all reason comes--lift off and it's magic again.
The grades are turned in--they are accurate, I hope! The plans are laid out. The laundry is finished, the cat box cleaned, Ben's school clothes laid out for the week. I hope I didn't forget to pack my tooth brush. I knew if I could make it to my plane seat I would be ok! And I'm actually reading my English Journal. Perhaps I will finally finish this publication--just in time for the next! I also have Heart of Darkness and Slaughter House Five packed. Maybe I should be going to a Reading Conference, not a Writing Conference! I miss my students and my family and it's been terribly stressful getting ready to leave and then leaving. However, I know this trip is good for me as a teacher, a fellow, and a person. I am open to all good things that I might learn. I am open to a delightful time with my Writing Project friends and family. Bless me Father for I have sinned. It's been 5 years since my last NWP trip! Still NWP runs in my veins, but it's good to get a sort of IV every now and then. I'm definitely due!
In-flight--excitement, family--(sometimes work)
Thinking how quickly my little guy (2yrs old) is growing up. I remember his first flight when I carried him place to place, plane to plane, held him in my lap, smiled as others looked at him and smiled--my husband and I would (and still do) look at each other and fill with joy and display a proud smile--proud of ourselves that he is such a good boy. We are sad that daddy had to stay behind for work. Our little guy is still more excited than ever (his 4th flight) except today he walked in the airport, put his own shoes in the bin at security, carried his own back pack, walked up the stairs to board the plane himself, buckled his own belt and has "introduced" himself and me to anyone that looks our way. We are still very proud as he tells us he has "on his listening ears today" uses the best manners all morning saying please, thank you, may I please... Oh so proud of our little guy, but man it goes by so fast! I am still amazed at how great he is. He asked several times to "watch video please" but we are told no electronic devices yet--so he is sitting patiently eating his snack and "reading" the "plane book" (safety instructions).
So today we fly to visit family. While flying, I am thinking of my son, my husband, and family we will soon see and can't stop thinking "we are so blessed." Life is good!
It's weird to me. To fly for just an hour. The stewardess is making conversation--I wonder which she prefers--chatting casually to pass the time or sitting silently staring at a quiet cabin letting the Earth slide beneath her. We're going to fly South over my friend Kyle's house--his whole neighborhood disappearing in a blip. Less than a blip. The surge at take off is visceral--it's amazing how the human body registers acceleration as pleasure. I'm impressed by how slowly the ground scrolls by outside the window--It all seems so conceivable once you're doing it, but I can't imagine dreaming this up--hurtling through the sky in an aluminum tube. I feel like a rube, but it's all I can focus on as we disappear into foggy white purgatory. We are in the sky. I still have mud on my shoes from my front yard and we are in the sky. It makes me feel like Magellan, but the whole business is so casual--you can buy a Coke if you want. Our stewardess is telling stories at the front. How her family ended up in Raleigh. It's funny to me. This little community forms in transit. A group of people come together shoulder to shoulder 10,000 feet above the Earth. And we talk a bit. Tell each other how our parents bought their first house from an elderly couple who wanted to move back to New York. Entire lifetimes summarized in that casual way that strangers share on public transportation--casual community--noncommittal dependence--polite friendship. During take-off I listened to the lady in front of me tell her toddler to wave bye-bye to Huntington--to wave bye-bye to their house--and I remember my mother doing the same thing when I was a toddler. I wonder what instinct causes this--a desire to impress upon young minds the idea of travel--the abstract concept of leaving. Now we're above the clouds. How many times will I see the tops of clouds in my lifetime? Staring down through their gaps at the tops of ridges.
Slices of green slashed into an insatiable forest. Flashes of civilizations hammered from mute hills. A fog of mist hangs over Appalachia. It covers my view as we lift farther into the air--dense and white--enveloping, tossing, and tumbling our craft. A wild side from a barely tamed land.
The voices around me vibrate with this machine, becoming, seemingly, one with it, mere extensions of its wings and turbine engines. It is an inhuman chatter of sci-fi robots, androids masked behind human flesh. Their words indefinable.
Now clear blue sky above with all the brilliancy of a fresh creation. (What is in the atmosphere at 10,000 feet?) Beneath the tops of the rolling white mountains. Dips and darkened valleys spread across the sky. Dark pits of grey sink from the cottony peaks--only glimpses of the dark dampness below. It is as a world new born. A glimpse of the creator's view.
I hear Mary Francis--her voice stabilizing to its more familiar temper. She speaks of Sarah Palin and sexism in American politics.
New forums activated!
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 12:48 — adminWe have just activated some new forums for discussions and conversations. Please explore the "Forums" heading on the site menu to the left. Be sure you read the article "Creating an Account" to get set up.
Anthology Submissions Due October 1
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 17:43 — ianSubmissions for the Three Bridges Writing Project Anthology are due October 1. Please submit your pieces to the anthology's editor, Jennifer Stapleton, by that date.
This year, the anthology will focus on stories and pieces related to education, educators, and the classroom. SI fellows have many writings from this summer that focus on these topics, so dig 'em out, polish 'em up, and send 'em in.
Since last year's anthology was a little heavy on the poetry side, Jennifer has requested that submissions focus on prose pieces. Poems are still acceptable, but please try to send a prose piece as well.
Annual Meeting: Workshop Registration and Hotel Reservations
Tue, 09/01/2009 - 12:07 — adminIf you are planning to attend the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this November, you must register via NWP.org for the workshops on Thursday, November 19. Registration started today and the deadline is November 8. It's best to register now so the workshop you're interested in does not fill up.
To register, please vist this website: http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/doc/09am/thursday.csp
You will need your NWP.org account username and password to register. (These are the accounts we used to post on the e-Anthology.)
There are two sessions of workshops: morning and afternoon. Be sure you are registered in the morning and the afternoon.
During each session (both morning and afternoon), you may register for either one three-hour session or two seventy-five-minute sessions.
No registration is required for the sessions on Friday, November 20.
If you have not made hotel reservations for the Annual Meeting, you may do so at this website: http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/doc/09am/hotels.csp
MUWP Fall Retreat
Mon, 08/10/2009 - 18:46 — ianIt’s time to register for the Marshall University Writing Project annual fall writing retreat. This retreat brings together Summer Institute Fellows and Teacher Consultants of both Three Bridges and Coalfield Writers, the two branches of Marshall University Writing Project.
Click "Read More" to continue.
