UC Merced Writing Project

What is the UC Merced Writing Project?

A collaborative program of the University of California, Merced and Merced County school districts, dedicated to improving writing and the teaching of writing at all grade levels and in all disciplines.

A growing network of exemplary classroom teachers, k-university, who conduct professional development programs for teachers and administrators and engage in their own professional development through continued reading, writing, and research.

A Site of the California Writing Project and an affiliate of the National Writing Project.

What are the UC Merced Writing Project Principles?

Writing is fundamental to learning any subject;

Writing needs constant attention and repetition from early grades through university;

Teachers of writing should write themselves to best understand the process of writing;

Real change in classroom practice does not happen at once, but rather over time;

Effective professional development programs are ongoing and systematic, bringing teachers together throughout their careers to examine successful practices;

Teachers are the best teachers of teachers and can be prepared to teach others while sharing their expertise.

How does the UC Merced Writing Project Model Work?

The model is 'teachers teaching teachers.' Each year successful teachers of writing are brought together in the Summer Invitational Institute where they prepare to teach other teachers in workshops the Project conducts during the school year. The Project provides ongoing reading, writing, research, and discussion opportunities for continued professional development of its Teacher Consultants.

Who can apply for the Summer Invitational Institute?

Teachers who have taught for at least two years can apply. Applications are welcome from teachers of culturally and linguistically diverse students, primary grade teachers, and teachers in all disciplines, as well as English.

Fellows for the Summer Institute are chosen on the basis of their application, successful teaching experience, and recommendations. They earn six units of university credit and receive a stipend from which registration fees are paid.

What can you expect from the Institute?

The Institute is an intensive learning experience, which contributes to the sharing of effective teaching practices as well as the development of teachers' confidence in their own writing. Fellows meet from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday for four weeks during the summer and attend two pre-institute and two post-institute meetings during the school year.

Fellows can expect to:

Demonstrate their own approaches to the teaching of writing;

Write extensively with a weekly paper and be in a response group;

Read and discuss research related to writing instruction;

Participate in a weekly social activity that builds community.

After the Institute, Fellows become Teacher Consultants and serve as Teacher Leaders of the UC Merced Writing Project.

What other programs does the UC Merced Writing Project provide?

We design professional development programs to the needs and interests of individual schools and districts. Here is a list of some of our programs:

Approaches to teaching writing as a process;

Developing confidence and fluency in writing;

Response and revision techniques;

Academic writing - purpose and audience;

Teaching conventions of writing - grammar, punctuation, and usage;

Publishing student writing;

Emergent writers and readers, k-3;

Writing to learn in all content areas;

Teaching writing to English language learners;

Writing with computers;

Reading-Writing connection;

Developing the writer's voice;

Audience, purpose, and writing types;

Assessing writing/planning instruction;

Writers' workshop approach;

New teacher support;

Coaching and demonstration teaching.

If you are a teacher interested in learning more about the Writing Project's Summer Institutes, please contact:

Dr. Pauline Sahakian, Director
UC Merced Writing Project
P.O. Box 2039
Merced, CA 95344
Tel: 209-381-6561 or 209-381-6559