Saint Paul Public Schools
 | Partnerships Home > Partnerships > Stillwater-Saint Paul > Creative Writing Partnership > Parent/Guardian Letter |
Dear Parent/Guardian, Your student’s class has chosen to participate in an innovative literacy program during the 2006/2007 school year. The program is a collaboration between St. Paul Public Schools and nine suburban East Metro School Districts. These inter-district classroom partnerships work to create inclusive learning environments by infusing instructional strategies with cross-cultural experiences. The program pairs classrooms from Stillwater and St. Paul Public Schools with an academic component that is tied to the Minnesota Academic Language Arts Standards. What will my child be learning as a part of this program? The partnership will involve several educational exchanges during which students from the partnered classrooms spend the day together. It also includes on-going communication using technology throughout the year between the classes. Below is an outline of what the students will be doing during their educational exchanges: Relationship Building & Book Making: The University of Minnesota's (Minnesota Writing Project) will facilitate a day long partnership November 27, 28 & 29 (one date per partnership) where students will meet at the Wellstone Community Center and will: a. Participate in teambuilding exercises b. Learn about and make their own book from a Hamline University professor c. 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). The day will include: a. A reading and theatrical presentation b. A career exploration component where Isabell will take students from "sloppy copy" to final product c. A writing assignment where students will write in their books about family Interactive Hmong Presentation: Charles Numrich Director of Creative Theater Unlimited will facilitate a day long partnership April 17, 19, & 23 (one date per partnership) where students will meet at the Wellstone Community Center and students will: a. Connect with young Hmong actor educators b. Will explore a variety of forms of storytelling c. Will explore outlets for telling their own stories We are excited about this innovative program and encourage you to contact us with any questions. Sincerely, Classroom Teacher |