MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES
offered by the
Western Massachusetts Writing Project
Free registration ~ and each participant will receive $250 in classroom materials!

Reading and Teaching American Literary Nonfiction
For Teachers in Grades 7-12 • 67.5 PDPs • 3 graduate credits available
Dates: July 27–30, August 3–5, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., October 3, a late fall date TBD, plus online activities
Location: Springfield Central High School, 1840 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield

Literary nonfiction is one of the most important genres in American literature, but it is often neglected in the secondary English language arts curriculum. This institute will focus on two nonfiction authors listed in the Massachusetts ELA Curriculum Framework: W. E. B. DuBois and Annie Dillard. Institute participants will read and discuss major works by these authors, The Souls of Black Folk and Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, respectively. Examining these challenging works in the context of political, social, and cultural history; analyzing their literary elements; and writing about them in a variety of modes, institute participants will develop and practice strategies that they can use to encourage students’ close reading and appreciation of nonfiction. Participants will create plans for literary nonfiction units in which students make connections within and across texts and write critically about what the authors’ works reveal about life and literature in America.

* FULL * Teaching Expository and Persuasive Writing * FULL *
For Teachers in Grades 6-12 • 67.5 PDPs • 3 graduate credits available
Dates: July 13–15, July 20–22, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., October 3, a late fall date TBD, plus online activities
Location: Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke

This institute will examine informative and persuasive writing in a range of genres (e.g., research essays, news reports, informative essays, editorials, speeches, blogs), in both print and electronic media, and written for a range of audiences. Key concepts will include genre, audience, purpose, voice, the structure of argument, and elements of the writing process. The course will show how these concepts can guide instruction linked to the composition standards of the Massachusetts ELA Curriculum Frameworks; it will also develop participants’ understanding of how writing stimulates thinking and understanding of content. Participants will read and critique examples of expository and persuasive writing and media, complete a personal writing project relevant to content they teach, and create and implement a curriculum project for using expository and persuasive writing.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Teaching Expository and Persuasive Writing and Reading and Teaching American Literary Nonfiction are open free of charge to all Massachusetts public and private school teachers. Graduate credit is available at $100 per credit plus a registration fee. Each institute is limited to 20 participants. According to Massachusetts DESE guidelines, admission priority is given to teachers from high-needs districts (see list below); teachers working without an appropriate license, on a waiver, or out-of-field; and teachers applying as members of a school team. Other teachers may enroll on a spaceavailable basis. Prospective participants must complete a one-page application form, which can be downloaded at http://www.umass.edu/wmwp/programs/DESE_Institutes_Application_Form.doc or requested from the WMWP office at wmwp@english.umass.edu or 413-545-5466. The earlier you apply, the better your chance of admission.

Area high-needs districts: Adams-Cheshire, Amherst, Athol-Royalston, Brimfield, Chicopee, Clarksburg, Easthampton, Franklin County, Gill-Montague, Greenfield, Hampshire, Holyoke, Lenox, Mahar, North Adams, Northern Berkshire, Northampton-Smith, Orange, Pathfinder, Pittsfield, Sabis, Spencer-East Brookfield, Springfield, Ware, Webster, Westfield, West Springfield, Worcester.

Download the brochure.