WITS Program Components

Writers-in-Residence
Writers are matched with teachers to develop a curriculum for teaching writing. During the yearlong residencies (28 days over the course of the school year), writers teach three classes per day. Each residency includes time for planning and evaluation.

Professional Development for Teachers
In the classroom, teachers receive hands-on professional development by observing and collaborating with their WITS writer-in-residence. In addition, WITS provides teachers with fellowships to attend the Puget Sound Writing Project, an accredited writing program at the University of Washington, and to Seattle Arts & Lectures' Teachers as Scholars continuing education seminars.

Student Anthologies and Readings
Writers organize student anthologies and readings as part of their residency curriculum. Selections are then published in an annual program-wide anthology. To purchase the 2005-06 anthology, The Universal Controversial Hive, call or visit Elliott Bay Book Company, or click here to order online!

Special Project and Mentorship Grants
Writers can apply for grants to fund special projects or to support extra work time with individual students during the residency.

Spotlight Authors
WITS hosts special events at schools throughout the year featuring regional, national, and international writers. Writers who have visited schools in the past few years include Gwendolyn Brooks, Tim O’Brien, Frank McCourt, Edward P. Jones, Ha Jin, Adam Gopnik, and Pam Houston.

Books
WITS donates books of literature and poetry to help build school libraries and classroom collections. In 2005-06, WITS will donate over $3,000 worth of books to schools.

Complimentary Tickets to Events
SAL provides teachers, students, and writers with complimentary tickets to our Literary Lecture Series, Poetry Series, and other special events.

Student Scholarships
The Kip Robinson Greenthal Scholarship, named in honor of WITS’ founding director, provides selected high school students an opportunity to attend writing workshops during spring break and summer vacation.

Training and Support for Writers
Writers meet throughout the academic year to share successes and learn new strategies for teaching writing. Mentor writers coach newer writers and lead teaching workshops.

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