Purchase Area Writing Project
National Writing Project at Murray State University
PAWP News & Events
Check this page often for news and upcoming events.
PAWPers: Kertrenia Bursztynski, Debbie Bell (Co-Dir.),
and Sherri Bazzell at 2008 KCTE Conference in Lexington.
Making Connections in Literacy
Thursday, September 24, 2009
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Murray State University's Curris Center
Special Guest Speaker: Jennifer Bernhard, former writing consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education and Literacy Specialists with Clark County Schools.
Registration is open until September 18th. Registration fee is $10.00 until September 11th, $25.00 after September 11th.
The New 4 R's of Education
I first heard about the 4 R's from Greg Gierhart, a PAWPer and former teaching peer, at the PAWP advisory board meeting. Immediately, I felt behind in current pedagogy since I'd never heard of the 4 R's. At NCTE I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop about these 4 R's, especially as they relate to writing.
The first R stands for "Relationships." Nancie Atwell addresses creating a "community of writers" which build relationships.
The second R targets "Relevance." As writing teachers, we know the importance of having real-world purposes for student writing.
"Rigor" is the third R. Writers must develop analytical questioning skills to enhance revision. Rigor challenges students through their own passions and interests with real world contexts.
The last R is "Reflection." Students who continue to write in a journal often reflect and evaluate life choices.
This brief look at the 4 R's barely touches the surface of the significance of each and its impact on instruction. I challenge you to look into this new terminology. It seems to support the principles we're already using in the writing classroom.
Wow! We're definitely forerunners in instruction. Keep up the good work PAWPers.