- Why We are Successful
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Summary of Classes (PDF) - Download a WITS Summary of Classes (Word)
To learn more email us: program@writersgarret.org or call 214-828-1715
Educational Programs for Youth and Teachers
North Texas Writers in the Schools (WITS)/Writers in Neighborhoods (WIN)
The Writer’s Garret WITS and WIN programs offer an innovative approach to education. North Texas Writers in the Schools (WITS) and Writers in Neighborhoods (WIN) send professional writers into K-12 classrooms and community venues to share their passion for reading and writing. Our fresh approach invites students to write stories, poems, and essays — and share their creativity and expertise with each other. It’s an attractive alternative to standard “test-driven” curricula.
We cultivate a student-centric environment defined by individualized attention, team-work, and workshop critiquing. WITS provides incentives such as student writing contests, readings, ¡TEX! magazine, and student anthologies in a holistic approach that values strong reading and writing skills.
Download a WITS Summary PDF or Word document
Positive Results
Last year we worked in depth with more than 6,200 students. The result? We’ve seen students improve their TAKS scores for reading and writing by as much as 14 percent.
WITS instructors emphasize creative imagination, building self-esteem, and challenging students to think outside their limited experiences. So, students learn to love reading books and writing in many genres, including poetry, fiction, personal narrative, and essay writing.
Resources
¡TEX! Magazine
¡TEX! magazine is published in partnership with the Today Foundation / Newspapers with the goal of making FREE quality literature accessible to all Texans. It features the work of young writers published alongside veteran Texas authors of national and international acclaim.
In only five issues, ¡TEX! has reached over one-million readers through newspapers, libraries, bookstores, universities, and secondary school classrooms, publishing some of the finest writers and artists in our state. Pastand current issues of ¡TEX! are available for schools and youth centers, providing exciting writing models for young writers.
Write Ways!
Available for teacher accreditation and non-accreditation, Write Ways! offers teachers the opportunity to learn the value of creative writing in today’s changing classroom. While schools remain test-driven, the good news is that TAKs now tests for originality, voice, and organization—skills our enrichment programs teach in abundance. Additionally, SAT tests now cover free-writing and reading comprehension, doing away with the useless analogy-testing of the past. We help teachers navigate these forgotten waters by reminding them of tried and true—as well as the very latest—methods for inspiring young people to improve their reading and writing skills.