Flint Hills Writing Project 2002-2011
10 Years of Transforming the Teaching of Writing
Thursday, July 28, 2011
FHWP Class of 2011
Flint Hills Writing Project 2002-2011
10 Years of Transforming the Teaching of Writing
FHWP Final Summer Institute Activities
After writing to our morning prompt and completing the required surveys, the FHWP crew headed to Danforth Chapel. http://www.k-state.edu/maps/buildings/DC/ The beauty and peace of this special place offered one last stop for writing and reflection.
Our last excursion took us to Bluestem Bistro in Aggieville. http://bluestembistro.com/the-bistro/ The conversations and shared writing were the perfect wrap-up for a great institute.
The conversations could have continued into the evening, but we eventually made one more trek back to the icebox of Bluemont Hall. Tables were put back in place, power cords and supplies were returned, and the FHWP class of 2011 said, "So long! Keep in touch!" Until we meet again.
Our last excursion took us to Bluestem Bistro in Aggieville. http://bluestembistro.com/the-bistro/ The conversations and shared writing were the perfect wrap-up for a great institute.
The conversations could have continued into the evening, but we eventually made one more trek back to the icebox of Bluemont Hall. Tables were put back in place, power cords and supplies were returned, and the FHWP class of 2011 said, "So long! Keep in touch!" Until we meet again.
FHWP Final Summer Institute
Well, the day has arrived. Today we close camp for the last time. This has been an amazing summer because the people involved were, well, amazing. Here are a few quick snapshots of the beginning of our day, with more to be added later.
It's 58 degrees in Bluemont 343. Every day. Which means that the past three weeks we've had an average 50 degree change in temperature upon entering and exiting the building. Makes you realize how amazing these campers were to keep coming back every day!
Ranger Todd gives a little history of FHWP and tells how we can stay connected to our network of fine people.
Fellows have graduated to Teacher Consultants:
Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. Vicki and Judy have risen to the rank of Ranger Emeritus.
It's 58 degrees in Bluemont 343. Every day. Which means that the past three weeks we've had an average 50 degree change in temperature upon entering and exiting the building. Makes you realize how amazing these campers were to keep coming back every day!
Ranger Todd gives a little history of FHWP and tells how we can stay connected to our network of fine people.
Fellows have graduated to Teacher Consultants:
Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. Vicki and Judy have risen to the rank of Ranger Emeritus.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I write because....
Today was another marvelous day at FHWP. Spending hours each day in a freezing classroom would be unbearable if it were not for the fantastic group of educators that gather there. As we share our hearts and our minds and our writing, we are being transformed into the writers and the teachers of writing we hope to become.
Today's writing prompt began with the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow." As a take off from the phrase "I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free!" Judy challenged us to respond to "I write because..." This is my response:
Last night when I was reading from Because Writing Matters, I was struck by several things. For one, writing slows us down. (P. David Pearson, p. 34) It does! It slows down our thinking and our movements and requires us to wait. Wait for the thoughts to form, wait for the ideas to slide down my neck from my brain to my arm to my hand to my fingers to the pen or the keyboard.
And when I do this, I realize many things. I write because I need to. I write because I must. I write because I can.
I need to, I must, I can slow down. I need to, I must, I can let my thoughts follow one coherent path for a time instead of flitting from one thing to another. I need to, I must, I can wait for my heart and my head to find synchronization so that my life is comprised of one song in harmony rather than several tunes jangling around at once.
I read one time that an unexamined life is not a life worth living. Writing is all about examining my life, pondering the questions and savoring the certainties that exist in my heart. When I sit at my desk with my Bible, my Picadilly journal and blue Sharpie fine point pen, I make a time and a space that is sacred, even if just for a few minutes. Sometimes I compose my own words; sometimes I simply copy the words of someone else. But every pen stroke records something from my soul, and shows me what I need, what I must do, and what I can do.
I write because I need to. I write because I must. I write because I can.
Today's writing prompt began with the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow." As a take off from the phrase "I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free!" Judy challenged us to respond to "I write because..." This is my response:
Last night when I was reading from Because Writing Matters, I was struck by several things. For one, writing slows us down. (P. David Pearson, p. 34) It does! It slows down our thinking and our movements and requires us to wait. Wait for the thoughts to form, wait for the ideas to slide down my neck from my brain to my arm to my hand to my fingers to the pen or the keyboard.
And when I do this, I realize many things. I write because I need to. I write because I must. I write because I can.
I need to, I must, I can slow down. I need to, I must, I can let my thoughts follow one coherent path for a time instead of flitting from one thing to another. I need to, I must, I can wait for my heart and my head to find synchronization so that my life is comprised of one song in harmony rather than several tunes jangling around at once.
I read one time that an unexamined life is not a life worth living. Writing is all about examining my life, pondering the questions and savoring the certainties that exist in my heart. When I sit at my desk with my Bible, my Picadilly journal and blue Sharpie fine point pen, I make a time and a space that is sacred, even if just for a few minutes. Sometimes I compose my own words; sometimes I simply copy the words of someone else. But every pen stroke records something from my soul, and shows me what I need, what I must do, and what I can do.
I write because I need to. I write because I must. I write because I can.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Book-Talking: A Family Legacy
It went without saying that I would read this book.
Years ago when my daughter was in junior high, she started reading the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books while we were on vacation. She said, "Mom, you've GOT to read these books! I can't wait to talk to you about them!" So, I read them. And, so, we talked about them. Mother-Daughter book-talking is family legacy. My mom and I have always loved to talk about books we're reading and to suggest "next reads" to each other. My daughter and I have loved doing the same. My mom, daughter, and I can pretty much peg which books we'll all enjoy and love. So, this summer, years later, while on vacation I saw the review for Sisterhood Everlasting and showed it to my college-aged daughter. On our next outing we snagged a copy at Target and she mowed through the book. Upon handing it to me, she said, in a not so round about way, to hurry up and read it, because, "I can't wait to talk to you about it!" So, I read it. And so, we talked about it. And so we shared the connections we made to characters and themes and story lines. And so the legacy continues.
Thanks to my mom, for starting this legacy in our family and to my daughter for allowing me to carry it on with her. And thanks to the authors who write books for all of us.
Years ago when my daughter was in junior high, she started reading the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books while we were on vacation. She said, "Mom, you've GOT to read these books! I can't wait to talk to you about them!" So, I read them. And, so, we talked about them. Mother-Daughter book-talking is family legacy. My mom and I have always loved to talk about books we're reading and to suggest "next reads" to each other. My daughter and I have loved doing the same. My mom, daughter, and I can pretty much peg which books we'll all enjoy and love. So, this summer, years later, while on vacation I saw the review for Sisterhood Everlasting and showed it to my college-aged daughter. On our next outing we snagged a copy at Target and she mowed through the book. Upon handing it to me, she said, in a not so round about way, to hurry up and read it, because, "I can't wait to talk to you about it!" So, I read it. And so, we talked about it. And so we shared the connections we made to characters and themes and story lines. And so the legacy continues.
Thanks to my mom, for starting this legacy in our family and to my daughter for allowing me to carry it on with her. And thanks to the authors who write books for all of us.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
FHWP Mini-Marathon at the Leadership Studies Building
The first week of Summer Institute flies by so quickly! We began this, our fourth day of Camp Flint Hills at the Leadership Studies building. Last year we visited this magnificent building for the first time, and knew that returning here was a must.
Lori Kniffin, Administrative Specialist guided us through the building on a quick tour, describing the thoughtful design of the building. Classrooms are designed for collaboration and flexibility, with fantastic technology available. She shared that the school had achieved Gold LEED certification for its sustainability. http://www.k-state.edu/leadership/documents/Article1.pdf
During the construction of the building, the last remaining cypress tree on campus was saved from destruction by adjusting the design of the building.
The artwork displayed here is a source of inspiration. http://www.k-state.edu/leadership/artInfo.html?section=ourBuilding&selected=artInfo Having the time to take it all in is a gift this day. The writing that usually comes from this is rich and reflective.
All of the photographs displayed are taken by K-State students and faculty and the artwork is done by Kansas artists. What an amazing display of Kansas heritage and creativity!
Many thanks to Lori Kniffin and all the folks in the Leadership Studies building for their hospitality.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Great Day in Weston!
Today Brett had a rare and precious day off. So, we trekked north from Branson to spend some time with him in Platte City. We spent the afternoon tromping around the historic town of Weston, MO. I loved the downtown's many unique shops housed in buildings from the 1800's. One of my favorites was this fabulous little candle shop. http://www.5bandco.com/ The friendly young lady manning the store told us that all the candles are made by a local artisan a few doors down the street. She suggested that we smell the watermelon votive candles - they were made just today and STILL WARM! She packaged our purchases in a plain brown paper gift bag and tied a matchbook on the handle with fuzzy yarn. I felt so special!
We finished our excursion with a visit to a wonderful little icecream shop/soda fountain/antique store/tea room. http://www.westongalleria.com/TeaRoom.html The young men working there were so friendly and proud of their little shop. Upstairs in the tea room, the ladies were working like field hands to finish the 94 homemade pies they were making for this weekend's BBQ-fest celebration. They took time to pour us some amazing iced tea and as we were leaving, one of the gals, said, "Here, you've got to try this BBQ bread!" She handed us her slice that I'm sure she never got around to eating because of the pie baking marathon. BBQ bread? I didn't know what to expect but....It was a-MAZING!!!!
My next planned purchase is a plaque with this inscription:
PEACE
It does not mean
to be in a place
where there is no
noise, trouble, or
hard work. It
means to be in the
midst of those
things and still be
calm in your heart.
I can't wait to return to this wonderful little town!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
"GOD CALLS TO OUR SOULS in ways that words cannot — through a moving song, a dramatic dance, the smile of a friend, or the kiss of the sun. From the vivid shades of autumn to the intricacy of a spider’s web, God made the earth and everything in it."
This quote is from today's Upper Room Daily Reflection. http://www.upperroom.org/daily/ It made me think about this picture I took while the kids and I were hiking along a road leading to a nature trail and waterfall. This wildflower amazed me - how carefully the little flowers were contained in the fuzzy clusters by thin little stem-like pieces. Once in full bloom, the little white flowers weren't fuzzy at all. Though the evening was hot and humid and we were anxious to get where we were going and get back inside where it was cool, there was something about this plant that made me stop to wonder at its simple beauty.
In the next few weeks as I immerse myself in the Summer Institute and put my fingertips back on the computer keys to finish my dissertation, I need to remember to live aware of the times God calls to my soul in ways that words cannot. I need to take time to stop, look, and appreciate simple things that are really beyond my imagining. For those moments of beauty and wonder are the source of inspiration and peace that feeds my soul.
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