PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE "PIE" MONTHLY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2: NO. 6 April 2003 www.mcvts.net/pie PROGRAM OF THE MONTH As we progress into April, spring marks the beginning of the school year in Japan. For others, the school year is beginning to draw to a close. No matter what stage your school year is in, I would like to share with you (once again for some members of PIE) a wonderful online writing program, the INTERACTIVE WRITING COMMUNITY (http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/iwc/IWC/real_index.html).  This extremely user friendly interactive website is operated by Kunitaro Minzuno of Keio University, Japan. Do not be fooled by the fact the IWC is hosted by a Japanese university, all-interactive writing is done in English. Upon accessing the IWC site, students and teachers alike will discover a very engaging, friendly, and educationally sound series of Internet writing activities. Numerous topics are listed which encourage students to express themselves and improve their writing skills at the same time. There are several other very interesting segments to IWC, including the opportunity to have others, students and teachers alike, reply to and evaluate student writings as well as a "Marathon," designed to encourage student involvement. I originally learned about the Interactive Writing Community (IWC) from Julissa Paugam (2000 Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar) during our travels in Japan. Julissa includes IWC as part of her students' writing assignments at Miami Southridge High School in Florida, USA. Isabel DaSilva has made great use of the IWC site with her students at the Middlesex County Vocational/Technical High Schools Mathematics and Science Academy in New Jersey, USA. My students are currently taking part in the survey segment of the IWC website. As the students complete the brief surveys, they discuss their opinions with their classmates. Give it a try with your students. I am sure that surveys will create some exciting discussions. You will be hard pressed to find a superior writing site than the Interactive Writing Community (http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/iwc/IWC/real_index.html).  Do not be concerned that IWC is a university site. High school students and other level students will be quite comfortable using the IWC. This is an exciting and wonderfully beneficial program that should greatly enhance your classes.  There are numerous topics that will address subjects other than writing classes. To access the most recent essay topics and other sections of the IWC site, scroll down the home page to "Reference Room" and click on "Spring Semester" listed under 2003. For more information, please contact the following PIE members; Kunitaro Minzuno: IWC Coordinator (CYL01642@nifty.ne.jp), Isabel DaSilva Bella9971@msn.com, dasilvad@mail.mcvts.net) and Ernie Read (erreadiii@aol.com; reade@mail.mcvts.net/pie). Visit the Interactive Writing Community (http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/iwc/IWC/real_index.html).  Your students and you will be very happy with the results. MEMBER NEWS Project Idea Exchange is proud to welcome the following new members to its steady growing worldwide membership. Nicoleta Cociuba, High School Teacher of English Iului Maniu High School Arad, Romania Elina A. Khmyova, Teacher of English, Grades 5-11 Rasskasovo Secondary School Rasskasovo, Tambov Region, Russia PIE members can now be found in 25 countries on six continents. Since there are still some technical issues with the website Membership Listing, I have added a new feature. If you wish to access the most recent Membership Listing on the PIE Website (http://pie.mcvts.net), go to the MESSAGE FORUM, click on GENERAL TOPICS, click on PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP LISTING and then click on the most recent PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP LISTING. The same service can be also found on the PIE website MESSAGE FORUM under OTHER TOPICS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. Take a few minutes and look for members to contact. If you have any corrections, please contact me (reade@mail.mcvts.net) as soon as possible so that I can continue to update all membership information. PIE "TIP OF THE MONTH" Space.com is a wonderful website for anyone studying space travel, astronomy or any related subject. Are you interested in space related technology or are you someone whose outer space interests are purely recreational? What ever it maybe, Space.com is the site for you. This site contains numerous sections, each with amazing collections of photographs and images. Also included are various current articles covering the latest events and advancements in the exploration or outer space. The majority of the images are free, but as with many websites, there are some advertisements and items for purchase. The site is a great resource for teachers and students alike. To begin your tour of outer space, simply go to http://space.com and enjoy the experience.  DIRECTOR'S NOTES PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE was created to assist all members in developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of others by learning about cultural and educational activities on a global basis. Along those lines, Hisao Hayashi of Hiroshima, Japan publishes a superb newsletter. Hisao is a music teacher in Hiroshima who creates some amazing programs for his students. Hisao is someone that uses the arts as a basis to establish understanding of other on both a national and international setting.  I am sure that if you contact Hisao (hisao@hiroshima-cdas.or.jp), he will be more than happy to add you to his newsletter email list. Also, if you would like to access an archive of Hisao's newsletter, go to the PIE website (http://pie.mcvts.net), click on MESSAGE FORUM, click on PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, click on EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD and then scroll down to "Newsletters of Hisao Hayashi" to read more about many of Hisao Hayashi's successful cultural and education efforts. If you have a newsletter or some other similar type of culturally or educationally related publication, please contact me so that it can be shared with other PIE members. Your publications, ideas and such can be posted on the PIE MESSAGE FORUM. If you have questions, need some assistance, or if you are considering starting your own newsletter, please contact me (reade@mail.mcvts.net; erreadiii@aol.com) and I will be more than happy to provide whatever assistance I can. One other note; Hisao Hayashi on April 19th, celebrated his 50th birthday. HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY HISAO, especially from everyone (like me) who has already reached their 50th birthday. May you be Healthy and Happy and have many more such joyous days!! To Everyone, Be Happy, Well and Safe!! Ernie Read, PIE DIRECTOR