Introduction
The Middle School Writing Project is...
An interdistrict grant program from Education Connection, funded through the State Department of Education and connecting the school districts of Winchester , Torrington, Thomaston and Region 14 in an opportunity to build confidence and community through writing.
Confidence, or the lack of it, in written personal expression is borne out of the way most of us were taught– or not taught, to write. Much of what is taught in schools – even “creative writing” - still carries with it the expectation of a grade. A desire to write must be nurtured and if it is not, then writing becomes a chore. If writing is a form of expression, then it is undeniably connected to one's own voice. But, if this form of expression is not utilized, it becomes an unfamiliar outlet for that expression and there is no confidence in using it. The confidence comes with practice.
The lack of confidence or “fear” of writing doesn't seem to be something that anyone feels they need to face – it just isn't important beyond the assignment at hand. To get beyond that fear, to understand the joy that can be associated with being in charge of transcribing one's own individual experience is to become aware of an exploration into an endeavor that has enormous impenetrability surrounding it.
