Families, communities create galleries of writing with the NCTE and the National Day on Writing

July 12, 7:53 PMDC Family Reading & Writing ExaminerGinny Kochis

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Since 1911, the National Council of Teachers of English has been dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts.  Highly aware of the role writing plays in contemporary society from more traditional forms of composition to texting and IMing, the NCTE has designated October 20, 2009 as the National Day on Writing. On this day, the NCTE encourages individuals from all walks of life to stop and share their writing with one another, highlighting its integral role in the 21st century. 

In anticipation of the National Day on Writing, the NCTE has created the Gallery of Writing, an online space where "people who perhaps have never thought of themselves as writers...select and post one thing they have written that is important to them."  Any form of composition on any topic may be submitted, including lists, letters, memoirs, photography or audio and video files.

According to the Gallery of Writing website, writers may submit their work to one of three gallery types:

1. The Gallery of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): a wide collection of writing hosted by the NCTE.
2. National Partner Galleries: writing that corresponds to a theme or purpose identified by a National Partner.
3. Local Partner Galleries: works from families, students in a classroom, school faculty and staff, club members, workplace employees or community inhabitants.

Submitters may also create their own Local Partner Galleries.  Any group - families and neighborhoods, schools and clubs, employers and organizations - can request gallery space for their own collection of writing:

1. Families and Extended Families: Submit memories or musings before a family reunion or in celebration of a special family event like an anniversary or birthday.
2. Neighborhoods: Share your writing with one another and strenghten community bonds.
3. Clubs: Extend your book club discussions, highlight the work of your writers' group or spread the news about your charity organization.
4. Schools: Build a written mosaic representative of your students, faculty and staff. 
5. Places of Business: Encourage camraderie and creativity among your staff.

Gallery submissions will be open for viewing beginning October 20, 2009.  For more information on submitting work or forming a gallery (including submission guidelines) visit the Gallery of Writing official website. 

Contact Ginny at thewritingwell(at)earthlink(dot)net or visit The Writing Well online.