Frequently Asked Questions
On this page, you will find the answers to the question you may be asking yourself at this very moment.
What is the Southwest Georgia Writing Project?
The local site of the National Writing Project, serving the counties of southwest Georgia.
A member of the State Writing Project Network.
An organization dedicated to: the improvement of student writing abilities by improving writing instruction; the development of collaborative college and school professional development programs; and the expansion of the professional roles of classroom teachers.
Why is the Southwest Georgia Writing Project needed?
Writing is fundamental to student learning and a key to success.
Traditionally writing instruction has been neglected.
In southwest Georgia, nearly all writing test scores fell below the state average in 1986.
School systems that have participated in SWGWP professional development are raising test scores.
What does the SWGWP do?
The Southwest Georgia Writing Project uses a teachers-teaching-teachers model.Teachers from all grade levels Kindergarten -- College are identified and brought together in Invitational Summer Institutes where they experience best practices in writing. The summer institute experiences prepare teachers to teach other teachers how to teach writing.During the school year these Teacher Consultants provide workshops for other teachers in Project-sponsored programs in their schools.
How can I find out more about the Southwest Georgia Writing Project?
Contact any Teacher Consultant listed or the Director (mae@canes.gsw.edu) for specific information about bringing SWGWP into your school, classroom, or district.
I teach math (science, social studeis, home economics, et al.), why do I need the writing project?
The Southwest Georgia Writing Project focuses on writing skills, not simply English/Language Arts skills. Students in all areas should be writing inside each content area. The Summer Institue works to develop writing skills in all areas and Teacher Consultants present ideas that span grade level, content area, and discipline. A week in the Summer Institue will knock down barriers of all kinds, and this will be the first to go.
