Young Writers Project is excited to be working with you in the coming year. This site has several improvements since last year:

• Spell check while you write
• A cleaner editor
• New sound player that works on iPads
• A "journaling" function that allows students to link related blogs together OR to add chapters to other students' stories.

Dormant, but available (Just let us know of your interest and we'll switch them on and show you how to use them):

• Teachers can grade individual posts and comments.
• Polls, wikis and "webforms" which allow for in-depth surveys.
• A direct record feature that requires Flash player.

TO ACCESS LAST YEAR'S CONTENT: Teachers: Your last year's exercises and blog content is accessible by going to "My Workspace." To access last year's classrooms: Go to ADMINISTER>>Content Management>>Content and in top right FILTER by "Type": "Groups" and click appropriate link.  Students: Your last year's blog content is accessible by clicking  "My Workspace."

YWP has an amazing team of Teacher Coaches this year; these folks have extensive experience as teachers and as digital explorer/learners. Please take advantage of their knowledge. One of them will be the primary Coach for your school.

The Coaches: Darcie Jensvold Abbene, Nick Brooks, Pam Campbell, Cindy Faughnan  Kathy Folley, Lisa Italianoand Geoffrey Gevalt.

YWP will again set up the classroom and user accounts for you if you'd like.  Please send us  an Excel spread sheet listing the full names of the students in each of your digital classrooms with three columns: Firstname | Lastname | Grade.

Doug DeMaio, YWP's Web Support person, is available to help -- and to answer any technical or support questions you need at any time. Send that spread sheet (or questions) to ddemaio@youngwritersproject .org  or call him at 324-9539. THANKS!

STUDENTS: While this is a 'school' project, we hope you will use this space to share your ideas, creativity and work done outside of school as well. As with all YWP projects -- and your school -- there is one primary rule: Be civil and respectful. You are also encouraged to participate in youngwritersproject.org or respond to the prompts on that site for potential publication in newspapers around the state or on Vermont Public Radio.

Consult the HELP section for information about the site.

-- Geoffrey Gevalt, YWP Director, 802-324-9537