PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE "PIE" MONTHLY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2: NO. 9 September 2003 http://pie.mcvts.net PROGRAM OF THE MONTH     For many students and teachers around the world, September marks the conclusion of the summer period of relaxation and rest. As teachers begin the mission of providing an exciting and quality education for their students, once again I would like to share with 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 was introduced to the Interactive Writing Community (IWC) by Julissa Paugam (2000 Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar) during our travels in Japan. Julissa has included IWC as part of her students' writing assignments at Southridge High School in Florida, USA. PIE member Isabel DaSilva has made great use of the IWC site for the past two years as part of her English classes at the Middlesex County Vocational/Technical High Schools in New Jersey, USA.     You will be hard pressed to find an Internet writing site superior to 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 IWC. The user will find numerous topics related to social and cultural studies. IWC is much more than simply and exercise in writing skills. This is an exciting and wonderfully beneficial program that should greatly enhance your classes. For more information, please contact the following PIE members; Kunitaro Minzuno: IWC Coordinator (CYL01642@nifty.ne.jp), Julissa Paugam (juwels71@msn.com), 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       Elina Khmyrova of Secondary School #3 of Rasskasovo, Tambov Region, Russia has recently completed a very exciting summer. As part of the CCUSA Program (www.ccusa.com), Elina served as a camp counselor at Geneva Point Center, New Hampshire (USA). Among her many camp duties activities, Elina was trained in and served as a High Ropes/Low Ropes Facilitator. But this was just the beginning of her adventures. Elina then spend two weeks with Shirley and Ernie Read in New Jersey (USA). Elina spent six days visiting three different high schools, where she observed classes and share her knowledge of life in Russia with American students and educators alike. Her stay was not all business. She visited several Atlantic Ocean beaches in New Jersey and toured of New York City. To learn more Elina's exciting and valuable educational experiences, contact her at heli@tmb.ru or khmyrova@yandex.ru. PIE "TIP OF THE MONTH"     Have you ever visited Russia? Do you wish to learn about and take a virtual tour of a Russian city? No matter what your answer might be, take the time and visit the website of Tambov, Russia. Go to www.tambov.ru and explore this amazing website that explores Tambov, which is located about 500 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Tambov, founded in 1636, is a fine example of a city in central Russia. The website is in Russian, but it is possible to read about Tambov in Arabic, English or French. Changing the language is easy. On the Tambov homepage, go to the phrase TAMBOV CITY and click on "win." This will access the page that will permit the user to change the language from Russian to one of the aforementioned languages. Be sure to examine the many photographs and essays that illustrate life in Tambov, Russia. DIRECTOR'S NOTES     As the school year begins or continues, depending on your location, may I continue to thank each and every PIE member for his or her continued support. Please contact me at anytime with your suggestions or comments. If you have an educational program or idea that you would like to share, please post it on the PIE website MESSAGE FORUM or email your program to me so that I can include your activities in a future edition of the PIE NEWSLETTER. Be Happy, Well and Safe Ernie Read PIE Director