WritingFix: Writing Across the Curriculum

WritingFix: Publications & Resources Created by Former and Current NNWP Consultants
one goal of WritingFix was to inspire our local teachers to self-publish their best lessons in guides that other teachers could make use of

While I was Director of our Northern Nevada Writing Project between 2003 and 2008, I am proud to say we used our budget to sponsor professional development projects that led to the creation of six print guides. I was proud of those particular projects because they were a twofer in professional development. The teachers who collaborated to create the guides' lessons and resources learned, and the print guides we created served as a tangible resource that gave other groups of teachers the chance to learn and collaborate while making use of the guides' ideas. While I was Director, we printed thousands of those guides for local teachers at the schools the NNWP served, and we sold the guides to teachers and schools all over the world as a means to bring more money into the program. That money was used to sponsor additional projects and the creation of new guides.

I feel it necessary to give a shout out here to the amazing former NNWP Secretary and Administrative Assistant who helped us sell the guides back in WritingFix's heyday: Judy Otteson. Hey Judy, we brought the ideas to the table back then, but you were the voice and the heart of the NNWP when you served as our amazing assistant. I can't tell you how many times teachers contacted me just to tell me what a wonderful person you were when you answered the phones and took their orders for guides; many said it was like they were talking to an old friend. We hope you love your new position! We miss you, and those of us in the know, well, we know you were worth every penny when the NNWP had the ability to hire an Administrative Assistant.

Good news! It's come to our attention that four of the six NNWP guides our amazing teachers helped us to create while I was Director are now available at Amazon. I encourage you to consider purchasing any of these fine resources, and perhaps the money they bring to the organization with these sales might actually inspire them to fund a new guide. Good luck, NNWP!

Support the NNWP and WritingFix by Purchasing these Great Resources at Amazon!
2006's *Going Deep with 6 Trait Language* Guide Click cover to see product at Amazon. This guide was the project of Corbett & Dena Harrison	2007's *Going Deep with Compare & Contrast Thinking* Guide Click cover to see product at Amazon. This guide was the project of the fantastic Carol Gebhardt
2008's *Six by Six: Traits for Primary* Guide Click cover to see product at Amazon. This guide was the project of the amazing Jodie Black	2005's *Reading in the Content Areas* Guide Click cover to see product at Amazon. This guide was the project of the wonderful Kristi Pettengill

We also encourage you to visit the websites of these amazing teachers who promote unique writing products after being inspired by their own Writing Project sites.

Kindergarten Teacher Extra-ordinaire
Jodie Black

Jodie is now working on her fourth Common Core-inspired guide for kindergarten teachers. Jodie teaches at an amazingly high level, and that's why she's so celebrated in Washoe County School District. She writes her lessons for her kindergartners, but first- through third-grade teachers can easily adapt her ideas to work at all levels of primary.

If you ever meet Jodie at a conference, ask her to tell you a funny story about teaching kindergarten. She'll have you in stitches. My favorite story from Jodie: the time they had a class gerbil that really ought to have been neutered.

Visit TeacherJodieBlack.com to see what free lessons she offers and what guides she has for sale.

Math Guru, Common Core Trainer, & Children's Book Author
Holly Young

I was lucky enough to work side-by-side with the great Holly Young for about five years, and I was one of her two wonderful son's teachers. We took a great walk the other day, and I asked, "When did we first meet, Holly? I can't remember exactly."

Without missing a beat (because she never does), Holly said, "I don't know. You're one of of those people who I just assume I've known my whole life." Right back at you, Holly Young!

Holly second children's book is coming out soon, and you can read about her first book and all her amazing math & writing across the curriculum ideas at her website Making Mathematicians. She's also the NNWP Consultant who sought out lessons for our NumberFix page.

Writing Teachers & Professional Teacher Trainers
Corbett & Dena Harrison

I am so lucky to be married to someone who loves to teach Language Arts (especially writing) as much as I do; we have the nerdiest conversations about new writing lessons every time we have a road trip.

As we saw the WritingFix era come to an end because of budget cuts, my wife Dena and I decided we should create our own websites.

My website--Always Write--(the title is a purposeful pun that my students find hysterical) focuses on our writing materials. We offer dozens of free lessons and ready-to-go materials for sale that will help you launch a writer's notebook program or a writer's workshop that is worthy of the Common Core folks.

Dena's website--Write in the Middle--focuses on reading materials, but of course she features her own brilliant ideas for making her students love to write as well.

One of the Smartest Teachers in Northern Nevada
Sue Gonyou

Sue Gonyou knows everything. I truly believe this. And she can make a cheesy pun out of pretty much any statement made to her. I've been blessed to know her for so many years and to call her my friend and colleague.

Sue is also the best inservice presenter in Northern Nevada. When I was recertifying my license most recently, I took every class from her that I could. Her classes are not delivered--like so many others--in the "Spray and Pray" or "Preach to Teach" manner. Sue's classes are truly "Make and Takes." You walk away from everyone of them with a pile of new ideas to try that she had you create in collaboration with other class participants. I owe Sue for so many great new teaching ideas when I last recertified.

Someday, Sue will have her own website. In the meantime, you can check out this page she's been working on at our website, where she sells her awesome "Transitions in Time" slides.

Are you a self-published Writing Project Consultant with a website or book?
Let us know about it, and we'll feature a link to your site from this page.
Contact Corbett Harrison.