Saint Paul Public Schools
Interdistrict Classroom Partnership Initiative
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Fourth/Fifth/Sixth Grade Creative Writing Partnership
This partnership pairs three Stillwater schools and three St. Paul elementary schools with student grade levels ranging from 4-6.  The project allows children to engage in a process of cultural self-awareness through reading and writing. They are given the opportunity to talk to each other about differences in an environment of respect and openness. Students in this partnership will gain exposure to several of the Minnesota Language Arts Standards.  

Professional Development:
Partnered teachers will participate in a joint professional development to get to know one another, learn about the Creative Writing Partnership and receive digital cameras and training on how to use technology to maintain on-going communication between their partnered classes. 

Relationship Building & Book Making:
The University of Minnesota's (Minnesota Writing Project) will facilitate a day long partnership November 27, 28 (Crosswinds Art and Science School ) & 29 (Wellstone Community Center) (one date per partnership).  The students will:
  • Participate in team-building exercises
  • Learn about and make their own book from a Hamline University professor
  • Work with college students from Minnesota Writing Project to complete a writing assignment in the books they have just created.

Guest Author & Writing Process:
Isabell Monk author-in-residence will explore the book HOPE with students on February 26, 27, & 28 (one date per partnership). We will meet at Crosswinds Art and Science School.  The day will include:


  • A reading and theatrical presentation  
  • A career exploration component where Isabell will take students from "sloppy copy" to final product
  • A writing assignment where students will write in their books about family

Interactive Presentation:
Charles Numrich Director of Creative Theater Unlimited will facilitate a day long partnership where students will meet at the Wellstone Community Center (April 17, 19, 23) and students will:
  1. Work in small group with actor educators from CHAT (Center for Hmong Arts and Talent)
  2. Will explore a variety of forms of storytelling
  3. Will explore outlets for telling their own stories