Comments from Participating Teachers
Since 2005, over 200 teachers have participated in these summer writing camps.
Every day, after the students go home, the participating teachers meet to discuss their own reading assignments, their daily observations, and their questions. Through this process, the teachers learn as much from the students as the students learn from their teachers.
At the end of each writing camp, we ask our teachers to reflect on their involvement and share some of the things they learned from the experience. Here are some of their comments:
Every day, after the students go home, the participating teachers meet to discuss their own reading assignments, their daily observations, and their questions. Through this process, the teachers learn as much from the students as the students learn from their teachers.
At the end of each writing camp, we ask our teachers to reflect on their involvement and share some of the things they learned from the experience. Here are some of their comments:
After participating in the GVWP Demonstration Lab I feel validated, empowered, and excited to implement this knowledge in my classroom. I now have a clearer vision of how the puzzle pieces of the writing process fit together to form the “whole picture.” The end result is a beautifully written tapestry of the writer’s own experiences.
– Lori Fishburn (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
My first year attending the GVWP Demo Lab has been a wonderful experience. Being a new teacher, I have gained many new ideas and strategies to use in my classroom. What I found to be the most effective is the use of different graphic organizers. For me, the opportunity to observe veteran teachers implement the different organizers has been extremely beneficial. Another strategy I loved was the picture walk. The kids enjoyed it and were engaged the whole time. It also got them thinking about what they observed and writing about it. I have had a great experience and would love to be a part of GVWP again next year.
– Alyssa Miculinich (3rd Grade Teacher)
This is my second summer in the GVWP writing workshops. It is wonderful to see lessons presented to students. We see the student engagement and later have a debriefing where teachers figure out if we can incorporate the lessons or ideas into our own classroom. The cross-grade-level discussions of the teachers is like a huge brainstorming session. This is the best way to get recharged, connected, and still help a handful of students at a time.
– Van Lu (K-1st Grade Teacher)
Writing camp was a blast! I was able to collaborate with other teachers and gained new knowledge to take into my classroom. Writing is very important, and I have learned many new techniques that I can't wait to implement this coming school year.
In the 6th-12th writing camp, students were encourage to make predictions and experiment to come to various conclusions. Students were also asked to think about their "ripple", or effect, on the world around them. Students did various activities that encouraged them to look at the positive impact they have on their friends and family, their community and the world. This is something that I can have my students participate in next year.
I have done the Great Valley Writing Camps for several years now, and I cannot wait to come back next summer, and invite other colleagues to come as well.
– Lisa Holcombe (6th-8th Grade Teacher)
The GVWP Implementation Lab has given me great strategies on how to help students become interested in writing and become confident writers. The different charts will be very useful and I will be able to adopt them to my high school Spanish class. I really enjoyed working with the teachers, especially the collaboration and learning by doing with my partner teacher. I’m excited to go back to my classroom and share strategies learned with my students and fellow teachers.
– Gloria Martinez (High School Foreign Language Teacher)
Participating in this GVWP Demonstration Lab has left me with a feeling of empowerment, motivation, and inspiration as a teacher. While rewarding, writing can be met with many challenges for both students and teachers. I came into this program with a feeling of apprehension with teaching the writing process. However, as the course nears an end I have feelings of utter excitement and feel I have an abundance of brilliant and innovative strategies to share and implement with my own students. I am confident my students will share in this experience with the same excitement!
– Roop Dhaliwal (K-1st Grade Teacher)
An Eye-Opening Summer:
I used to think that students couldn’t be taught to enjoy writing. As a teacher, I assumed that the best I could do would be to have them learn to write well. Now I think that by using routines and methods explained in this book, I can teach students to value and enjoy their writing time.
I also used to think that there weren’t people/educators out there (or very few) who were looking into the idea of how to get students thinking and making connections. It’s silly, but I didn’t realize how hard some teachers/people are working to make schooling more applicable to real-life situations. Learning how to think and wonder – how to consider different viewpoints – those are valuable skills that I was never taught.
I think now that students being taught by these teachers are incredibly fortunate.
– Johana Perkins (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
GVWP rocks!!!
This program was wonderful!!! I have a different perspective on writing now. I will incorporate some ideas like the smash book and the author's chair in my classroom. I am surprised that writing does not have to be painful as long it's relevant and the students can relate to it. The staff was wonderful and very resourceful and all have to say to them is 'GRACIAS'.
GVWP also has "Super Saturday Seminars," and those should be advertised at every single site.
– José Martínez (High School English Teacher)
The two weeks of writing camp this summer as a teacher on the 2nd-3rd team has taught me so much. As a student who just finished student-teaching May 2017, these veteran teachers have taught me about teamwork, communication, flexibility, and planning. I learned that, with effective communication among the adults, come better instructions to present when implementing lessons. I especially enjoyed knowing what was expected of me as a teacher, so that I can properly facilitate and support students of all backgrounds. More importantly, I experienced firsthand that when teachers are excited about the lesson materials, the students feed on that and often use the energy to thrive on.
This summer, during the Great Valley Writing Camp, I have learned how to feel more confident about teaching writing, understanding that making connections with my own skills in any subject matter will help me deliver clear and precise instructions. The leaders have helped me better my philosophy of teaching. I have learned to truly listen to my own inner-self while learning and growing with the students here at camp. Thank you for such an eye-opening opportunity!
– Kia Yang (2nd-3rd Grade Teacher)
The GVWP Demonstration Lab is nothing like what I expected it be. It is not like those university courses where you’re lectured to. In the Demo Lab, we get to see the practice in action in a live classroom, and we get to become part of the writing process. Now, I feel prepared more than before to guide my young writers through the writing process. Thank you!
– Susan Lu (K-1st Grade Teacher)
This experience has inspired me to approach writing with more excitement in my life and in my classroom. The fog has been lifted and I can now see a clear path toward making writing fun and effective for all of my students. We will learn to speak, write, and read about what matters most to each of us individually. Through making writing exciting and meaningful the learning process will be more joyful for all my students (and myself)!
I am thrilled to continue this journey in my classroom!
– Julia Lewis (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
I teach in a technology lab environment, so I particularly enjoyed seeing new tools I can use to enrich curriculum delivery in my classroom. Students are surrounded by technology in their lives daily, it's important that those tools also become tools for constructing meaning and cementing learning. As an art teacher, I daily see the confirmation of the connection between the arts and writing. The Writing and Visual Arts lab has been a great forum for teachers to explore that connection and share techniques on how it can help them engage student writers in the writing and revision process. Students acquiring language skills can start with images, a universal language, and learn to translate their pictorial ideas into rich text. In the tech lab, sites like Storybird and Animoto give students the opportunity to practice framing a message, finding imagery to support that message, and crafting the verbal piece to bring it all together.
– Leslie McCoy (High School Yearbook Teacher)
Everything was worthwhile in our "Wonders" classroom. I learned how to guide my students through the process of writing a nonfiction informative or explanatory text on something they were wondering about. Students selected a “wonder” they were curious to find out more about, then they collected information on their wonder by reading nonfiction books and internet information. This research allowed them to write a piece to inform their readers. Through mini-lessons on "How to Choose or Change a Topic" to "How to Use 'Wow!' Words," students were fully engaged in the process of nonfiction writing.
– Cassie Gregory (2nd Grade Teacher)
The GVWP Demonstration Lab was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed myself and learned a great deal. It was well worth my time! I teach in a Special Education classroom, and I usually teach summer school, but I kept hearing other teachers tell me that I should take this class. I'm so glad that I did. Now, I've been telling my husband (who is also a teacher) that he needs to attend the Demonstration Lab next year!
– Julia Berryman (3rd-8th Grade RSP Teacher)
I was excited to return to the GVWP Demo Lab for a second year. I learned even more about the writing process and integrating technology into my classroom than I did last year. The instructors introduced us to modern and innovative ways to invite students to write creatively and constructively. - Nichole Meyer (High School English Teacher )
Serving in the 1st-2nd grade classroom was absolutely amazing. I loved the entire experience! When you work alongside so many different people, you get so many ideas, and you tackle many projects that you would never do on your own. In just two weeks, we were able to deliver an exciting, action packed program that incorporated scientific explorations, scientific journaling, independent topic selection, mini-lessons about the craft of writing, iPad activities, and more... we accomplish a LOT! The benefits for the students were incredible; every student was thrilled to be involved and anxious to begin the day’s activities. The benefits for the teachers have been inestimable.
This experience has transformed my philosophy and my instructional priorities. I used to think that writing was the hardest thing to teach kids. Now I see that all kids can LOVE writing! I used to dictate the thinking and planning steps to move students through the writing process. My new goal is to teach students to think and write their own ideas, helping them to become independent writers, and then using their own writing to boost their reading skills.
– Sharon Greene (1st Grade Teacher)
You CAN teach an old dogs new tricks!
Most memorable about these two weeks is how I learned new ways of teaching concepts by incorporating thinking routines. It is like I’m teaching in a whole new way.
I used to think that not everyone could write, that it was only naturally talented people that could write. Now I think that just like my students learn by doing, seeing, and listening, so do I! These two weeks have shown me that I learn better this way, too!
– Jessica Toscano-Candelas (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
These past two weeks have been absolutely amazing and inspiring. It was amazing to see how much we covered in such a short period of time. It was inspiring to see students want to write. One student asked if he could miss recess because he wanted to continue to write!
I enjoyed having good teaching strategies modeled. It was as if these two weeks were a living exemplar chart. I learned how critical it is to make thinking visual, scaffolding information, and providing charts to encourage independent learning. I learned ways to improve using charts.
These two weeks have inspired me to have students love writing. There were so many different strategies to foster this. I loved that we were able to see the entire process. Finally, I loved working with such an amazing team!
– Sara Silveira (2nd-3rd Grade Teacher)
I always leave GVWP workshops feeling refreshed, energized, and excited about teaching. I come away with great lessons that I know my students will love, and I will love teaching. My students who participated gained so much, and really enjoyed their time here.
It's important to spend time with teachers who are passionate and believe in education. GVWP teachers spend their summers, weekends, and evenings researching classroom practices and perpetuating quality teaching. I valued the lessons and strategies for teaching writing, and I enjoyed being around people who are so positive about teaching and excited about writing.
– Jenna Valponi (High School English Teacher )
– Lori Fishburn (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
My first year attending the GVWP Demo Lab has been a wonderful experience. Being a new teacher, I have gained many new ideas and strategies to use in my classroom. What I found to be the most effective is the use of different graphic organizers. For me, the opportunity to observe veteran teachers implement the different organizers has been extremely beneficial. Another strategy I loved was the picture walk. The kids enjoyed it and were engaged the whole time. It also got them thinking about what they observed and writing about it. I have had a great experience and would love to be a part of GVWP again next year.
– Alyssa Miculinich (3rd Grade Teacher)
This is my second summer in the GVWP writing workshops. It is wonderful to see lessons presented to students. We see the student engagement and later have a debriefing where teachers figure out if we can incorporate the lessons or ideas into our own classroom. The cross-grade-level discussions of the teachers is like a huge brainstorming session. This is the best way to get recharged, connected, and still help a handful of students at a time.
– Van Lu (K-1st Grade Teacher)
Writing camp was a blast! I was able to collaborate with other teachers and gained new knowledge to take into my classroom. Writing is very important, and I have learned many new techniques that I can't wait to implement this coming school year.
In the 6th-12th writing camp, students were encourage to make predictions and experiment to come to various conclusions. Students were also asked to think about their "ripple", or effect, on the world around them. Students did various activities that encouraged them to look at the positive impact they have on their friends and family, their community and the world. This is something that I can have my students participate in next year.
I have done the Great Valley Writing Camps for several years now, and I cannot wait to come back next summer, and invite other colleagues to come as well.
– Lisa Holcombe (6th-8th Grade Teacher)
The GVWP Implementation Lab has given me great strategies on how to help students become interested in writing and become confident writers. The different charts will be very useful and I will be able to adopt them to my high school Spanish class. I really enjoyed working with the teachers, especially the collaboration and learning by doing with my partner teacher. I’m excited to go back to my classroom and share strategies learned with my students and fellow teachers.
– Gloria Martinez (High School Foreign Language Teacher)
Participating in this GVWP Demonstration Lab has left me with a feeling of empowerment, motivation, and inspiration as a teacher. While rewarding, writing can be met with many challenges for both students and teachers. I came into this program with a feeling of apprehension with teaching the writing process. However, as the course nears an end I have feelings of utter excitement and feel I have an abundance of brilliant and innovative strategies to share and implement with my own students. I am confident my students will share in this experience with the same excitement!
– Roop Dhaliwal (K-1st Grade Teacher)
An Eye-Opening Summer:
I used to think that students couldn’t be taught to enjoy writing. As a teacher, I assumed that the best I could do would be to have them learn to write well. Now I think that by using routines and methods explained in this book, I can teach students to value and enjoy their writing time.
I also used to think that there weren’t people/educators out there (or very few) who were looking into the idea of how to get students thinking and making connections. It’s silly, but I didn’t realize how hard some teachers/people are working to make schooling more applicable to real-life situations. Learning how to think and wonder – how to consider different viewpoints – those are valuable skills that I was never taught.
I think now that students being taught by these teachers are incredibly fortunate.
– Johana Perkins (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
GVWP rocks!!!
This program was wonderful!!! I have a different perspective on writing now. I will incorporate some ideas like the smash book and the author's chair in my classroom. I am surprised that writing does not have to be painful as long it's relevant and the students can relate to it. The staff was wonderful and very resourceful and all have to say to them is 'GRACIAS'.
GVWP also has "Super Saturday Seminars," and those should be advertised at every single site.
– José Martínez (High School English Teacher)
The two weeks of writing camp this summer as a teacher on the 2nd-3rd team has taught me so much. As a student who just finished student-teaching May 2017, these veteran teachers have taught me about teamwork, communication, flexibility, and planning. I learned that, with effective communication among the adults, come better instructions to present when implementing lessons. I especially enjoyed knowing what was expected of me as a teacher, so that I can properly facilitate and support students of all backgrounds. More importantly, I experienced firsthand that when teachers are excited about the lesson materials, the students feed on that and often use the energy to thrive on.
This summer, during the Great Valley Writing Camp, I have learned how to feel more confident about teaching writing, understanding that making connections with my own skills in any subject matter will help me deliver clear and precise instructions. The leaders have helped me better my philosophy of teaching. I have learned to truly listen to my own inner-self while learning and growing with the students here at camp. Thank you for such an eye-opening opportunity!
– Kia Yang (2nd-3rd Grade Teacher)
The GVWP Demonstration Lab is nothing like what I expected it be. It is not like those university courses where you’re lectured to. In the Demo Lab, we get to see the practice in action in a live classroom, and we get to become part of the writing process. Now, I feel prepared more than before to guide my young writers through the writing process. Thank you!
– Susan Lu (K-1st Grade Teacher)
This experience has inspired me to approach writing with more excitement in my life and in my classroom. The fog has been lifted and I can now see a clear path toward making writing fun and effective for all of my students. We will learn to speak, write, and read about what matters most to each of us individually. Through making writing exciting and meaningful the learning process will be more joyful for all my students (and myself)!
I am thrilled to continue this journey in my classroom!
– Julia Lewis (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
I teach in a technology lab environment, so I particularly enjoyed seeing new tools I can use to enrich curriculum delivery in my classroom. Students are surrounded by technology in their lives daily, it's important that those tools also become tools for constructing meaning and cementing learning. As an art teacher, I daily see the confirmation of the connection between the arts and writing. The Writing and Visual Arts lab has been a great forum for teachers to explore that connection and share techniques on how it can help them engage student writers in the writing and revision process. Students acquiring language skills can start with images, a universal language, and learn to translate their pictorial ideas into rich text. In the tech lab, sites like Storybird and Animoto give students the opportunity to practice framing a message, finding imagery to support that message, and crafting the verbal piece to bring it all together.
– Leslie McCoy (High School Yearbook Teacher)
Everything was worthwhile in our "Wonders" classroom. I learned how to guide my students through the process of writing a nonfiction informative or explanatory text on something they were wondering about. Students selected a “wonder” they were curious to find out more about, then they collected information on their wonder by reading nonfiction books and internet information. This research allowed them to write a piece to inform their readers. Through mini-lessons on "How to Choose or Change a Topic" to "How to Use 'Wow!' Words," students were fully engaged in the process of nonfiction writing.
– Cassie Gregory (2nd Grade Teacher)
The GVWP Demonstration Lab was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed myself and learned a great deal. It was well worth my time! I teach in a Special Education classroom, and I usually teach summer school, but I kept hearing other teachers tell me that I should take this class. I'm so glad that I did. Now, I've been telling my husband (who is also a teacher) that he needs to attend the Demonstration Lab next year!
– Julia Berryman (3rd-8th Grade RSP Teacher)
I was excited to return to the GVWP Demo Lab for a second year. I learned even more about the writing process and integrating technology into my classroom than I did last year. The instructors introduced us to modern and innovative ways to invite students to write creatively and constructively. - Nichole Meyer (High School English Teacher )
Serving in the 1st-2nd grade classroom was absolutely amazing. I loved the entire experience! When you work alongside so many different people, you get so many ideas, and you tackle many projects that you would never do on your own. In just two weeks, we were able to deliver an exciting, action packed program that incorporated scientific explorations, scientific journaling, independent topic selection, mini-lessons about the craft of writing, iPad activities, and more... we accomplish a LOT! The benefits for the students were incredible; every student was thrilled to be involved and anxious to begin the day’s activities. The benefits for the teachers have been inestimable.
This experience has transformed my philosophy and my instructional priorities. I used to think that writing was the hardest thing to teach kids. Now I see that all kids can LOVE writing! I used to dictate the thinking and planning steps to move students through the writing process. My new goal is to teach students to think and write their own ideas, helping them to become independent writers, and then using their own writing to boost their reading skills.
– Sharon Greene (1st Grade Teacher)
You CAN teach an old dogs new tricks!
Most memorable about these two weeks is how I learned new ways of teaching concepts by incorporating thinking routines. It is like I’m teaching in a whole new way.
I used to think that not everyone could write, that it was only naturally talented people that could write. Now I think that just like my students learn by doing, seeing, and listening, so do I! These two weeks have shown me that I learn better this way, too!
– Jessica Toscano-Candelas (4th-6th Grade Teacher)
These past two weeks have been absolutely amazing and inspiring. It was amazing to see how much we covered in such a short period of time. It was inspiring to see students want to write. One student asked if he could miss recess because he wanted to continue to write!
I enjoyed having good teaching strategies modeled. It was as if these two weeks were a living exemplar chart. I learned how critical it is to make thinking visual, scaffolding information, and providing charts to encourage independent learning. I learned ways to improve using charts.
These two weeks have inspired me to have students love writing. There were so many different strategies to foster this. I loved that we were able to see the entire process. Finally, I loved working with such an amazing team!
– Sara Silveira (2nd-3rd Grade Teacher)
I always leave GVWP workshops feeling refreshed, energized, and excited about teaching. I come away with great lessons that I know my students will love, and I will love teaching. My students who participated gained so much, and really enjoyed their time here.
It's important to spend time with teachers who are passionate and believe in education. GVWP teachers spend their summers, weekends, and evenings researching classroom practices and perpetuating quality teaching. I valued the lessons and strategies for teaching writing, and I enjoyed being around people who are so positive about teaching and excited about writing.
– Jenna Valponi (High School English Teacher )