• Writing & Reading Retreat
• Book-Reading Groups
• Spring Conference
• Writing for Professional Publication Retreat
• Young Authors' Conference

Writing & Reading Retreat

Hosted in the idyllic lakeside setting of University of Idaho's Field Campus in McCall, this retreat is a special initiative of the publications committee. Participants spend the days attending optional workshops provided by published authors, writing and reading focused on personal projects, and receiving valuable feedback from other NIWP members and writers. Nightly campfires give participants the opportunity to share rough drafts, polished pieces, or even work of other authors. Part rigorous dedication, part uplifting rejuvenation, this retreat is all about enriching the writer and reader within all of us. For more information contact Bev Wolff.

Book-Reading Groups

These groups are sponsored in-district to discuss selected books often used in inland northwest classrooms or books that support curriculum. A variety of themes are covered from year to year including literacy in the classroom to writing conferences in peer editing groups. Educators collaborate in a number of ways to consider powerful themes, strategies, and resources for literature. If you are interested in either leading or participating in a group, please contact April Niemela.

The Literature Project

Meeting over a two-week period, the Literature Project is an experience based class where students of all teaching levels look at comprehension strategies for readers. Different types of literature and discussion of comprehension strategies energizes participants, giving them the foundation to then relate these experiences to how students comprehend all types of text. The strategies focused on are making connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, determining importance, and synthesizing. For more information on the Literature Project contact Jacky Mosman.

Spring Conference

Sprawled high on a bluff overlooking Spokane is the site of the Northwest Inland Writing Project's Spring Conference. Steeped in rich history and home to incredible architectural design, Mount Saint Michael is traditionally and currently a center of religious education. During two days each spring, NIWP Teacher Consultants, area educators, and guest speakers meet on these stately grounds to attend educational workshops and listen to keynote addresses. Spring Conferences of the past have featured well-known speakers such as Ralph Fletcher, Sheridan Blau, Barry Lane, and Carol Jago. For more information contact Carol Nelson.

Writing for Professional Publication Retreat

Between opportunities for extended, uninterrupted writing, prepared gourmet meals, and conversations with teachers from Idaho, Washington, and other parts of the country, participants confer with other writers and a guest professional editor of publications for teachers. Focused on providing professional assistance to teacher-writers who are interested in publishing their teaching ideas, this retreat is held for four days during the summer on the picturesque campus of the University of Idaho McCall Field Campus on Payette Lake. Watch the website for registration information. This retreat is open to all teacher-writers. NIWP teacher consultants are eligible for stipends to cover retreat expenses.

The Young Authors' Conference (YAC)

Open to area students in grades 6-12, the Young Authors' Conference brings popular authors of young adult literature to Moscow High School, Moscow, Idaho and, during the past two years, South Fremont High School, St. Anthony, Idaho. Past authors have included Chris Crutcher, Jerry Spinelli, and Terry Trueman. Usually scheduled for the first Saturday of November in Moscow and the second Saturday in November in St. Anthony, the Young Authors' Conference is open to any group of students, chaperoned by teachers, parents, or community leaders. After attending the key note address, receiving a signed copy of the visiting author's book, and getting a specialized YAC t-shirt in Moscow or a specialized YAC journal & pen in St. Anthony, each attendee participates in three writing workshops led by NIWP Teacher Consultants or other professional educators. Chaperones must register by the last Friday in October to guarantee books and t-shirts or journals for everyone. Flyers will be distributed to schools and information posted on the NIWP web page. For cost per student and additional information, email Jennifer Garcia for Moscow and Bonnie Warne for St. Anthony.