(October 7, 2009, New Orleans, La.) - The University of New Orleans Greater New Orleans Writing Project's annual October Showcase, where teachers from the 2009 GNOWP Summer Institute at UNO demonstrate their best practices in teaching writing, will be held on Saturday, October 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lindy C. Boggs Conference Center in the UNO Research and Technology Park, 2045 Lakeshore Drive.

The event will provide a wealth of information and a variety of strategies that teachers can easily implement with students to enhance the writing, reading and overall curriculum at their schools.

The opening session, "Figuratively Speaking . . . Exploring Identity through Metaphor," will be presented by Lauren Kindbeiter of Abramson Science and Technology Charter School. Following the opening session, participants can choose to attend two of the following teachning demonstrations:

• "Depending on the Audience: Using Real Readers to Generate Purposeful Argumentative Writing," Sarah DeBacher, UNO/Rabouin High School.
• "Mapping Our City's History through Its Street Names," Ted Pickett, Carver Elementary School.
• "While My Guitar Gently Weeps: Exploring Rhythm & Sound in Poetry and Music," Stephanie Johanson, Mount Carmel Academy.
• "Truth is (Sometimes) Stranger than Fiction: Using Tabloids to Teach News Writing," Andy Lewis, Edna Karr High School.
• "The Instruments of the Orchestra and Classical Music," Debra Harley, Audubon Charter School.

Registration is $15 in advance, $10 each for groups of five or more who register in the same emailed message, $20 at the door and free to GNOWP members. To preregister, visit the GNOWP web site at www.gnowp.org.

For more information, contact Ken Rayes, GNOWP director, at (504) 280-7323 or email krayes@uno.edu.

The Greater New Orleans Writing Project (GNOWP) at the University of New Orleans has for more than 30 years provided professional development to help educators teach writing across grade levels and across the curriculum. GNOWP's philosophy is that the most effective teacher development happens when teachers teach teachers.

The University of New Orleans (UNO), the urban research University of the State of Louisiana, provides essential support for the educational, economic, cultural and social well-being of the culturally rich and diverse New Orleans metropolitan area. It opened its doors in 1958 as part of the Louisiana State University System "to bring public-supported higher education to Louisiana's largest urban community." Today, UNO offers 43 undergraduate degree programs, 37 masters, and 11 doctoral programs. The 340-acre main campus sits on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, offering easy access to all parts of the metro area. For more information, visit www.uno.edu.

Johanna M. Schindler  

Office of Communications and Publications

(504) 280-6939

Fax (504) 280-7061

jschindl@uno.edu