All the teachers at Rose's school got trained in Columbia University's writer's workshop program. Rose's teacher said it was the best professional development she's been offered her entire time with the school district. As a writing teacher myself, I've heard fantastic things about the program. Here are the stories Rose wrote last month. If you read them out loud the inventive spelling makes sense.

9/9/08

1 day I went to Qeen Maris. And I rily likd the grild chees. and the tee I chose wos ckremy erl gray and they bot me a fary doll.

9/11

I was at my Grandma and Grandpas hous. my Dad had lifted me up in to a tree banch. And I fell but I cot myself. And then we went back to the hous.

9/12

this is me wene I hade three spiter bites. And they rily itch. aspecshele the one on my leg. But my mom put bug rupellit on.

9/15

Wen I was at my Grandma and Gandpas house. We went to a zoo and I got to ride a camel and a hors. But my little bruther was to scard.

9/16/08

Wen I was at my friend Sandy and Chamas weding me and my two cusins were playing with ower seckint cusins Paris Sharit Sasha Luwk and Ben. I got two cupcakes! And we gave Sandy and Chama lots of graps.