- SecondaryELA - lists.uen.org

INFO: USBE & DonorsChoose Launch $12 Million Effort for Educators
by Watkins, Naomi 18 Jan '22

18 Jan '22

Today, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) officially launches the allocation of $12 million in COVID-19 relief funds to directly help K-12 public school educators get classroom resources for the school year through DonorsChoose<http://www.donorschoose.org/>, a nonprofit crowdfunding website. The collaboration between USBE and DonorsChoose is the largest of its kind to date in the nation and will provide Utah educators with up to $1,000 in funding for their projects, empowering them to support their students' success with classroom resources. As part of the partnership with USBE, DonorsChoose will ensure any requests for instructional materials align with the Utah Core Standards. For any requests for non-instructional items, DonorsChoose will confirm that projects relate to one of the four main goal areas identified in USBE's strategic plan: safe and healthy schools; early learning; personalized learning; and effective teachers and leaders. Any Utah full-time equivalent K-12 public school employee who spends the majority of their time directly educating or counseling students is eligible to create a project. Eligible projects are anticipated to be funded within one week of posting. Projects will be funded up to $1,000 in total costs for student-focused resources. USBE will begin funding eligible requests on a first-come, first-served basis beginning January, 18, 2021 and for as long as funding is available. Educators can learn how to create an eligible DonorsChoose project in the organization's Help Center<https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/4415576238487>. https://schools.utah.gov/file/dcd2837d-f3b8-4bae-9d9f-ffd3b9eafdae Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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Action Requested: Public Feedback on Creative Writing & Literary Magazine Supplemental Standards
by Watkins, Naomi 15 Dec '21

15 Dec '21

Standards for Creative Writing and Literary Magazine have been created to provide Utah educators with guidance on the specific knowledge and skills to be learned when enrolled in creative writing and/or literary magazine courses. USBE staff is seeking 30-day public feedback to gather stakeholder input to guide finalizing these standards. The 30-day feedback window opens December 15, 2021 and closes January 14, 2022. Please provide your feedback prior to the closing date. Link to survey: https://forms.gle/6BDXHnk8JsE7rS8AA If you have any questions about the standards or the survey, please contact naomi.watkins(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:naomi.watkins@schools.utah.gov> Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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INFO: Invitation to the Wasatch Range Writing Project 2022
by Watkins, Naomi 09 Dec '21

09 Dec '21

See below for another great opportunity. Participation in a National Writing Project also meets one of the competencies for the new competency-based secondary ELA endorsement. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616 Dear Teachers: I am excited to tell you that we will have an incredible project this year. I invite you to join us in the 15th Invitational Institute of the Wasatch Range Writing Project, held this year from June 7th to June 24th. This institute will provide you an opportunity to work with other teachers to improve the teaching of writing in your schools. This year we will have a compact three credit hour course with amazing presenters and activities.The institute is held four days a week Monday thru Thursday, from 10:am to 2:30pm, over a three-week period. This year we are meeting in Ogden at the Weber State University main campus in Elizabeth Hall and from there we will venture to many educational locations such as the Ogden Nature Center, historical sites, and surprise adventures. We invite teachers in all disciplines and from all grade levels in Morgan, Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Weber and Ogden Districts. Teachers who complete the three weeks of the Institute receive three graduate credits from Weber State University, for free, save for the recording fee. The course is limited to 15 participants so contact me to reserve your spot. Registration for Summer semester begins in April 2022. At the institute, we demonstrate lessons in writing from our practice and then discuss their underlying principles and their applicability to other grades and subjects. We also write often and in many modes, and share our work in response groups. This year we will explore many topics in creative, technical, and creative writing in addition to those that you bring. The Wasatch Range Writing Project is one of the two hundred sites of the National Writing Project, the oldest and most successful, as demonstrated by research, educational initiatives in our nation’s history. More than one hundred teachers here in Northern Utah have participated in the Wasatch Range Writing Project summer institute and many have continued our work in their schools and in other professional meetings. You may find more information about the philosophy and the work of the National Writing Project at nwp.org<http://nwp.org/> and see our work from last year at https://sites.google.com/weber.edu/wrwp We would love to have you join us. Please let us know of your interest as soon as possible. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us. If you decide to join us for this year’s institute, please register as soon as you can. You may use the contact information listed below for any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you this coming summer. William John Pollett, Director, Wasatch Range Writing Project. Email at wpollett(a)weber.edu<mailto:wpollett@weber.edu> -- William Pollett Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities Department of English Weber State University Elizabeth Hall, room #268 Ogden, UT 84408-1904 Office: 801-626-6964<tel:801-626-6964> Website: (www.weber.edu/cah<http://www.weber.edu/cah>)

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INFO: Dec 2021 Secondary ELA & Library Media Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 07 Dec '21

07 Dec '21

Secondary ELA & Library Media News: December 2021 Dear Secondary ELA and Library Media Colleagues: Whew, friends! What a wild ride we're on. But last night, I had the opportunity to attend the Utah Chamber Artists' holiday concert, and it was just the thing to get this holiday season started amidst all of the busyness that this time of year brings. It was a good reminder of the joy of music and gatherings (and the Humanities)! I hope that you are able to enjoy a favorite holiday movie, tune, or book. I always make time to watch the Muppets' A Christmas Carol. It's the best movie version of the book! Take care, friends. Naomi My Current Reads: Make Meatballs Sing: The Life & Art of Corita Kent<http://www.matthewjohnburgess.com/make-meatballs-sing-the-life-art-of-corit…> by Matthew Burgess I learned about this recent winner of the Orbis Pictus Award at NCTE, and it is a delight. The illustrations are magical, and I really enjoyed learning about the life and work of artist Corita Kent. My Current Music Listen: Adele's 30 My Current Watch: Belfast<https://www.focusfeatures.com/belfast> -- A semi-autobiographical film which chronicles the life of a working class family and their young son's childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital. Educator Spotlight Delise Fullmer - Millard High School - 2021 Millar School District Teacher of the Year 11th and 12th Grade English Language Arts [cid:image001.jpg@01D7EB5E.6BE19CC0] My name is Delise Fullmer. I am proud to be a teacher and a coach at Millard High School in Fillmore, Utah. I have been teaching for close to thirteen years, and it has been wonderful! I have had the opportunity to teach three of my four children so far, as well as the other juniors and seniors at Millard. I love my job! There have been so many terrific, influential people in my life, and besides the teacher grandma, my mom (who would've been a fabulous teacher), and my teacher sister, I would have to say that my own high school teachers were my inspiration for becoming a teacher. I had two English teachers: Verlene Phillips and Julia Stephenson Parkinson who taught with passion. Their love for the subject was infused in every assignment, discussion, and project. Another teacher who had a profound effect on me was Lloyd Brown who held high expectations for his students, and I strived to meet those expectations. He was tough but always fair, and I admired that. The most rewarding teaching for me is watching the spark light in the eyes of my students. It doesn't always have anything to do with English; often it's more about a truth they've discovered or a new determination they have fostered. Recently, I received a Facebook message from one of my former students. She wrote, "I always looked forward to your classes because I thought they were fun and I gained a love for reading" and "I believe that you've helped me have a love to constantly learn." This is the most rewarding thing I can think of-a positive impact on another life. My hobbies are what you might expect from an English language arts teacher: I love to read, and I am currently writing a book. My other love, besides my family, is running. It helps my mental health to put in some miles before school and on the weekends. I have run seven marathons and many half marathons. I try to run several every year. I love to set goals and work toward them, and like my former student said, I love to learn. I am endlessly curious about most subjects. One of the most important aspects of teaching ELA to kids is the opportunity they have to read and consider others. Whether it is a work of fiction or nonfiction, students have the opportunity to read the opinions of others, the secret worries of a protagonist, and the heartbreak and victories in both reality and make believe. Here are opportunities to not only practice empathy but also to form opinions and learn how to share them and listen to others' in a compassionate, mindful, and respectful way. The formation of these skills is life altering and world changing. Asking me to choose a favorite book is like asking me to choose a favorite child. There are many books that I love so much and that have become trusted and beloved friends! Instead of sharing one of my long-time loves, I'll share a more recent one: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman is a beautiful book. It reminds the reader that we never really know the story that others have lived or are living. It encourages taking a deeper look and practicing compassion in our interactions with others. Backman has become one of my favorite authors since I read A Man Called Ove. He's a master of weaving story threads together into a gorgeous tapestry, and his characterization is genius. *********************************************************************** Thanks to Chris Haught for the following librarian shout out. [cid:image002.png@01D7EB5E.6BE19CC0] "Just wanted to give a shout out to Melinda Overson. She has been doing a great job at Bryce Valley High. She has been working hard to genrify the library, creating book clubs and building a reading culture in her school. She applied for and received the ALA Transforming Libraries Grant<https://www.insiderutah.com/articles/bryce-valley-high-school-receives-nati…> for $3000, as well as the LSTA Physical Collection Grant for $2,000, it will be exciting to watch how this influx of new books will impact the students! I was at her school last week and took these photos. I was so impressed with the changes she has made! Keep up the great work!" Essay Contest to Win a Ticket to See Hamilton The Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement is inviting high school students to participate in "One Utah: A 'Revolutionary' Contest." Seventy students will win a ticket to the Broadway touring production of "Hamilton" on Saturday, Jan. 22. To enter, Utah students are invited to write a letter to Gov. Spencer J. Cox or Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson about how to make Utah better. Details about the contest here<https://community.utah.gov/contest/>. Here's where to submit your entry<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y6S-N1KVcrJO9wrAHWR29c-8lgfcZdUycLGDPd5S2Y…>. Submissions accepted through Dec. 14 (cut off at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 14). Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation<https://preserveauschwitz.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d4d5ca0c6ebf1f…> (ABMF) and the United Jewish Federation of Utah invite you to apply for the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship, a year-long, fully funded program for Utah high school teachers. ABMF's mission is to safeguard the memory of Auschwitz-Birkenau through the preservation of its original artifacts and bringing education about Auschwitz to American students. We want more people to know what Auschwitz was with the ultimate goal of developing an understanding of what leads to genocide. Together with the United Jewish Federation of Utah - dedicated to preserving, enriching, and caring for the Jewish communities - ABMF brings lessons of Auschwitz to Utah high school students and broader audiences. As an Auschwitz Legacy Fellow, you will: * Travel to Poland in the summer for a week-long experience, which will include Warsaw, Krakow, and Auschwitz-Birkenau, * Participate in a hybrid (online and in-person) educational program that revolves around a 45-minute educational film about WWII, the Holocaust, and Auschwitz-Birkenau, * Receive multiple resources for you and your students, with our 45-minute educational film at the center of the curriculum; the provided resources will allow you to meet relevant guidelines and standards, * Gain special access to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum's remote guided visits for your students (via a newly-designed, cutting edge app), * Become a life-long Auschwitz Legacy alumnus/a and learn from and contribute to a community of teachers from all across the U.S. for whom it is essential to address these topics in the classroom, * Establish a relationship with a significant educational institution in your home state that will provide you and your students with access to their resources. If you are interested in becoming an Auschwitz Legacy Fellow, you: * Will be expected to plan to be teaching in the classroom for at least another five years, * Need to be available to participate in a year-long hybrid program, including a week-long trip to Poland, * Should be prepared for an active experience in Poland, which will include a lot of walking and long days, * Can apply by clicking here<https://preserveauschwitz.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d4d5ca0c6ebf1f…> no later than December 8, 2021. Eligibility: The program is available to high school teachers from all over the U.S. who have never visited Auschwitz-Birkenau before. Participation in the program is free of charge (double occupancy hotel accommodations, meals, and international flights included); upon acceptance Fellows will be charged a $150 administrative fee. Those who prefer single-occupancy will incur additional costs. This unique program focuses specifically on Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious Nazi concentration and death camps and the most recognizable symbol of horrors of the Holocaust. It will teach our Fellows universal lessons through its lens. All questions can be sent to Gosia Szymanska Weiss, ABMF, to gosiasweiss(a)perserveauschwitz.org<mailto:gosiasweiss@perserveauschwitz.org>. John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students<https://go.jfklfoundation.org/e/682543/ofile-in-courage-essay-contest/6qh43…> The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students<https://go.jfklfoundation.org/e/682543/ofile-in-courage-essay-contest/6qh43…> is officially open! We're now accepting submissions from high school students for the 2022 contest-and your students can win up to $10,000 for participating! Sixty-five years ago, John F. Kennedy described the stories of eight U.S. senators who demonstrated great courage under enormous pressure in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage. Although the problems facing our leaders today are different, President Kennedy's message transcends. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is a great way for students to strengthen their research and writing skills while recognizing courageous leaders who have inspired them. Contest Deadline is January 4, 2022. Utah Women's History Opportunities from Better Days NEW RESOURCES ABOUT MARTHA HUGHES CANNON First, we are commemorating 125 years since Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon's<https://www.utahwomenshistory.org/bios/marthahughescannon/> election as the first female state senator in the nation with new lessons and primary source sets<https://www.utahwomenshistory.org/tools-for-educators/>! To request a free digital toolkit to help teach your students about this remarkable Utah woman, please sign up here<http://shorturl.at/bpxV1>. More details can be found in the attached flyer ART CONTEST Second, we are thrilled to announce the second annual "She Started It For All of Us" art contest for 4-12 grade students. Last year, we had hundreds of submissions from students who shared their talents and brought Utah women to life in creative and impressive ways. Students must submit their art before January 24, 2022, more contest details can be found here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT14Dptw4rKlixT3QMJt2zjLu2ECX-zD…> and in the attached flyer. Please spread the word to all the teachers and students you know! Winners will receive cash prizes and have their art in a public display at the Utah State Capitol. FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITY - UTAH STATE CAPITOL BUILDING Last, but not least, on February 10, 2022, Better Days is hosting students and teachers on the 4th floor gallery of the Utah Capitol for a unique field trip opportunity. Join us that morning as we share stories of Utah women who made a difference in their communities through civic engagement. We will have hands-on activities, storytellers, and displays about Utah women's history, and a visit with Utah's Lieutenant Governor, Deidre Henderson. Sign up for this great opportunity here<https://forms.gle/RgcN6QdpGXm4yQTf7>! Join Better Days for one, two or all three of these inspiring events! We look forward to hearing from you soon. Nominate Local Educators "Utah Jazz Most Valuable Educator, presented by Instructure" invites the Utah community to nominate local educators who are making an impact in their schools and communities and who are an inspiration in the lives of their students. Through this program, 21 educators will be recognized during 21 home games throughout the 2021-22 Jazz regular season. Each honored educator will be guests of Instructure at the game and receive a personalized Jazz jersey. In addition, each recipient will receive a $1,000 classroom grant and a surprise classroom visit or organized assembly involving the Jazz Bear mascot, and personnel from the Utah Jazz and Instructure. More information here.<https://www.nba.com/jazz/MVE> Nominations end March 31, 2022. Resources from News Literacy Project Learn concrete strategies for talking to people who believe misinformation. NLP recently produced a webinar<https://click.everyaction.com/k/38900076/317516213/-803653937?v=Vqtt8vNqw3s…> focused on helping people have productive conversations about false beliefs without confrontation. This webinar - part of a series<https://click.everyaction.com/k/38900077/317516214/-274993585?utm_medium=em…> for older adults in partnership with AARP's OATS/Senior Planet program - is a perfect way to prep yourself for constructive holiday discussions. * Key points: People believe misinformation for a variety of reasons, but they're often sincere and well-intentioned. So it's important to engage false beliefs through conversation rather than confrontation, and to use patience, empathy and persistence (PEP). Preparing key phrases - such as, "That's interesting. Can you tell me where you heard that?" and "Can we search for more information about this together?" - might help keep things in friendly and fruitful territory. Resource: Infographic: "How to speak up without starting a showdown"<https://click.everyaction.com/k/38900078/317516215/1004089587?utm_medium=em…> (NLP's Resource Library). Civil Liberties in Times of Crisis: The Japanese American Experience JACL and the National Endowment for the Humanities<https://neh.gov/> (NEH) are inviting seventy-two educators to explore the historical significance and enduring legacy of the World War II Japanese American incarceration experience and the reparations movement. While past participants are primarily social studies and humanities teachers at the K-12 levels, all are invited to apply. More information can be found here.<https://jacl.org/2022-neh-landmarks?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=7a6c7ac5-a7…> Scrible Trainings by UEN UEN has developed online and in-person training on Scrible, the research, writing, and reading digital platform that USBE has adopted. All Utah public school educators and students have free accounts. For UEN videos about Scrible visit: https://sites.google.com/pd.uen.org/utah-scrible-amazing/home NEW OPPORTUNITY: For a self-paced MIDAS course about Scrible, go here. <https://uen.catalog.instructure.com/browse/mooc2022/courses/research-ready-…> To request a Scrible presentation by UEN at your school/LEA, complete this form<https://form.asana.com/?hash=09cb900a8f94bb4564f8feece9fdd6f935c8a1798d9b41…>. Educational Equity in Schools Resources Note: the highlighted resources are new since last month's newsletter. In August 2021, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Administration Rules approved R277-328: Educational Equity in Schools<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/722ef396-b45a-4dbb-a974-00a9d9dbcac0> (PDF File)<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/722ef396-b45a-4dbb-a974-00a9d9dbcac0> This rule is intended to support school districts and charters with standards for educators and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) regarding professional learning, guidelines and requirements for curriculum, and classroom instruction on educational equity. To support LEAs and educators in successful implementation of this rule, the Teaching and Learning team is developing supportive resources for educators to help advance educational equity in every Utah classroom. * The Four Keys to Successful Implementation: This resource shares four key themes we have curated from concerns shared with USBE leadership related to claims of Critical Race Theory (CRT) happening in classrooms. By employing these four keys to successful implementation, educators can increase their confidence in continuing to provide quality learning opportunities that respect each individual. * Orchestrating Productive Classroom Discussions: When orchestrating productive, respectful, and safe classroom discussions, it is essential to have ground rules, language frames, and discussion protocols to support students. This document shares some sample ground rules along with discussion language frames and protocols to assist teachers in facilitating discussions. * Creating Classroom Norms: The intended purpose of this resource is to support educators and students in feeling supported through constructing a classroom culture with explicit norms and expectations for engagement and respectful participation. * Policies and Resources Outlining Teacher Expectations * Leadership for Respectful Classrooms and Productive Classroom Discussions: <https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/f1d9ae47-7966-4d44-9952-0805c2b12f7d> This resource includes seven recommendations for district, charter, and school leaders to promote and support respectful classrooms and productive classroom discussions. Resources found here<https://www.schools.utah.gov/educationalequity/resources>. Resources for Handling Text Selection, Challenges, & Parental Rights Many LEAs are handling (potential) book challenges by community members and parents. Please note that we do not have an approved state book list or state policies about text selection practices and how to handle book challenges/removal. As a local control state, we strongly recommend that your LEA/school have policies about text selection for libraries/classrooms and how to handle book challenges and potential removal. Sample policies from a few Utah LEAs: * Jordan School District Policy: https://policy.jordandistrict.org/sub/library-books-media/ * Iron County Policy: https://sites.google.com/sedck12.org/icsd-policies-and-handbooks/district/s… <https://sites.google.com/sedck12.org/icsd-policies-and-handbooks/district/s…> Additional Resources for Policies You can refer to the Office of Intellectual Freedom: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif. The OIF provides support and information about how to address book challenges. This page specifically: https://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport Parental Rights Please note that these policies should be in keeping with parental rights to academic accommodations and to alternate texts. Parents/guardians always have the right to request an alternative text for their child(ren). However, if they request that a text be removed for all (i.e. removal from a library or classroom), they will need to follow your LEA/school's text challenge/removal policy. * Parental Rights to Academic Accommodations: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53G/Chapter6/53G-6-S803.html <https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53G/Chapter6/53G-6-S803.html> * Parental Rights to Alternate Texts R277-700-7(4) and R277-700-5(7): https://schools.utah.gov/file/87566e17-47ee-4f0d-9bd4-28ef5f947bc8 Supporting Adolescent Readers: A Guide for Secondary Educators I'm excited to announce that we have an update to the Toolkit for Struggling Readers. Please check out Supporting Adolescent Readers: A Guide for Secondary Educators<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/698c8c65-8753-4609-a841-0af3951d6d59>. This guide can be accessed from USBE's Secondary ELA page under "Resources." Supporting Adolescent Readers: A Guide for Secondary Educators<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/698c8c65-8753-4609-a841-0af3951d6d59> supports educators in providing high-quality, effective instruction for adolescent readers. This guide focuses on four key areas: 1) Assessment, 2) Framework and Planning for Reading Intervention Classes, 3) Evidence-based Instructional Practices, and 4) Adolescent Reading Motivation. Within each area, general information and specific evidence-based recommendations, tools, and strategies are provided to support educators in structuring, designing, and facilitating instruction to best support adolescents who are experiencing reading difficulties. As such, incorporation of the components represented in this guide may provide invaluable support for organizing effective reading instruction. Please use this guide in your LEAs. 2021-2022 Secondary Literacy Director Meeting Dates Mark your calendars! To receive a meeting invite, contact Brenda McMurtrey at brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> * December 8, 2021 from 1-3pm virtual * January 25, 2022 from 1-3pm virtual * March 22, 2022 from 1-3pm Join the Listserve Want to stay in the loop of future newsletters? Join the Secondary ELA ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/secondaryela or the Library Media ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media Have an item for the monthly Secondary ELA & Library Media newsletter, a research or teaching tip, or an educator spotlight nomination? Email brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> by the first of the month. **Please note: LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of these resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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INFO: Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship Invitation
by Watkins, Naomi 02 Dec '21

02 Dec '21

This is an incredible opportunity! Apply, and spread the word. [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/d4d5ca0c6ebf1f490f17ad94b/images/4814c9ee-369…] In partnership with [https://mcusercontent.com/d4d5ca0c6ebf1f490f17ad94b/images/9808eded-ebb3-64…] The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation<https://preserveauschwitz.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d4d5ca0c6ebf1f…> (ABMF) and the United Jewish Federation of Utah invite you to apply for the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship, a year-long, fully funded program for Utah high school teachers. ABMF's mission is to safeguard the memory of Auschwitz-Birkenau through the preservation of its original artifacts and bringing education about Auschwitz to American students. We want more people to know what Auschwitz was with the ultimate goal of developing an understanding of what leads to genocide. Together with the United Jewish Federation of Utah - dedicated to preserving, enriching, and caring for the Jewish communities - ABMF brings lessons of Auschwitz to Utah high school students and broader audiences. As an Auschwitz Legacy Fellow, you will: * Travel to Poland in the summer for a week-long experience, which will include Warsaw, Krakow, and Auschwitz-Birkenau, * Participate in a hybrid (online and in-person) educational program that revolves around a 45-minute educational film about WWII, the Holocaust, and Auschwitz-Birkenau, * Receive multiple resources for you and your students, with our 45-minute educational film at the center of the curriculum; the provided resources will allow you to meet relevant guidelines and standards, * Gain special access to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum's remote guided visits for your students (via a newly-designed, cutting edge app), * Become a life-long Auschwitz Legacy alumnus/a and learn from and contribute to a community of teachers from all across the U.S. for whom it is essential to address these topics in the classroom, * Establish a relationship with a significant educational institution in your home state that will provide you and your students with access to their resources. If you are interested in becoming an Auschwitz Legacy Fellow, you: * Will be expected to plan to be teaching in the classroom for at least another five years, * Need to be available to participate in a year-long hybrid program, including a week-long trip to Poland, * Should be prepared for an active experience in Poland, which will include a lot of walking and long days, * Can apply by clicking here<https://preserveauschwitz.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d4d5ca0c6ebf1f…> no later than December 8, 2021. Eligibility: The program is available to high school teachers from all over the U.S. who have never visited Auschwitz-Birkenau before. Participation in the program is free of charge (double occupancy hotel accommodations, meals, and international flights included); upon acceptance Fellows will be charged a $150 administrative fee. Those who prefer single-occupancy will incur additional costs. This unique program focuses specifically on Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious Nazi concentration and death camps and the most recognizable symbol of horrors of the Holocaust. It will teach our Fellows universal lessons through its lens. All questions can be sent to Gosia Szymanska Weiss, ABMF, to gosiasweiss(a)perserveauschwitz.org<mailto:gosiasweiss@perserveauschwitz.org?subject=Re%3A%20Auschwitz%20Legacy%20Fellowship%20Application>.

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INFO: November 2021 Secondary ELA & Library Media Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 09 Nov '21

09 Nov '21

Secondary ELA & Library Media News: November 2021 Hello All: This fall has to be one of the longest and prettiest that I remember. It feels like a beautiful gift after our hot, smoky summer! I hope that you've made some time to get out and enjoy it. I've been reading from the new book, Notable Native People<https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623292/notable-native-people-by-ad…> by Adrienne Keene. It includes short biographies with illustrations of Native people past and present in the U.S. Much of the little discourse and literature that exists about Native people focuses so much on the past, so I'm especially appreciating learning about the lives and work of those living today. It's a reminder of how important it is to read and include books that serve as windows into cultures and stories different from our own. I also had the opportunity to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL)<https://www.ala.org/aasl/> Annual Conference a few weeks ago here in Salt Lake City. There were numerous sessions about information literacy and how to teach students how to counter misinformation. I suggest checking out these sessions or viewing the webinar that I recorded with USBE Humanities Coordinator, Robert Austin, called "Countering Misinformation in Utah Classrooms."<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2mlQWc6H8s> In case we don't have an opportunity to connect before the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Find some ease and rest. Thanks for all you do. Naomi What are you currently reading, listening to, and watching? My Current Reads: Notable Native People<https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623292/notable-native-people-by-ad…> by Adrienne Keene My Current Music Listen: "Wildfire"<https://open.spotify.com/track/0wFsKxTwDroyhVOI8UxNJv?si=18e79c1208214c6d> by Leah James My Current Watch: Call the Midwife on PBS Celebrate Native American Heritage Month * https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ * Native American Heritage Month Toolkit from National Women's History Museum<https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/document/2021-10/NWHM%20N…> * Native Nations in Utah <https://www.visitutah.com/things-to-do/history-culture/tribal-cultures> * American Indians in Children's Literature<https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/> * Techniques for Evaluating American Indian Websites<http://www.u.arizona.edu/~ecubbins/webcrit.html> Essay Contest to Win a Ticket to See Hamilton The Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement is inviting high school students to participate in "One Utah: A 'Revolutionary' Contest." Seventy students will win a ticket to the Broadway touring production of "Hamilton" on Saturday, Jan. 22. To enter, Utah students are invited to write a letter to Gov. Spencer J. Cox or Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson about how to make Utah better. Details about the contest here<https://community.utah.gov/contest/>. Here's where to submit your entry<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y6S-N1KVcrJO9wrAHWR29c-8lgfcZdUycLGDPd5S2Y…>. Submissions accepted through Dec. 14 (cut off at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 14). Nominate Local Educators "Utah Jazz Most Valuable Educator, presented by Instructure" invites the Utah community to nominate local educators who are making an impact in their schools and communities and who are an inspiration in the lives of their students. Through this program, 21 educators will be recognized during 21 home games throughout the 2021-22 Jazz regular season. Each honored educator will be guests of Instructure at the game and receive a personalized Jazz jersey. In addition, each recipient will receive a $1,000 classroom grant and a surprise classroom visit or organized assembly involving the Jazz Bear mascot, and personnel from the Utah Jazz and Instructure. More information here.<https://www.nba.com/jazz/MVE> National Women's History Museum Journaling Project The NWHM is pleased to launch the Women Writing History: A Coronavirus Journaling Project <https://www.womenshistory.org/journal-project> and is asking women, girls, and gender non-binary individuals to participate in the simple act of recording their daily thoughts and personal experiences during this pandemic in order to document the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on women's lives. We invite individuals from all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic circumstances to be a part of living history by keeping a journal in 30, 60, 90, 120-day, or any longer OR shorter increments, and contributing their journalistic efforts to the National Women's History Museum. If life gets in the way of a daily, month-long journal, that's okay! Simply commit to what you can or what you already have. You do not have to journal daily. Journals can be written, orally recorded, video recorded, a series of photographs, or original artworks-the primary goal of this project is to capture the female voice and how the pandemic has impacted daily lives and perspectives. Journal entries might provide a summary of one's day, descriptions of the "new normal," coping techniques, explorations of challenges or even moments of joy, or inside views of how learning and working routines have altered. Resources for Handling Text Selection, Challenges, & Parental Rights It has recently come to our attention that many LEAs are handling (potential) book challenges by community members and parents. Please note that we do not have an approved state book list or state policies about text selection practices and how to handle book challenges/removal. As a local control state, we strongly recommend that your LEA/school have policies about text selection for libraries/classrooms and how to handle book challenges and potential removal. Sample policies from a few Utah LEAs: * Canyons School District: https://www.canyonsdistrict.org/policies/instruction/600-6/ * Jordan School District Policy: https://policy.jordandistrict.org/sub/library-books-media/ * Iron County Policy: https://sites.google.com/sedck12.org/icsd-policies-and-handbooks/district/s… <https://sites.google.com/sedck12.org/icsd-policies-and-handbooks/district/s…> Additional Resources for Policies You can refer to the Office of Intellectual Freedom: https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif. The OIF provides support and information about how to address book challenges. This page specifically: https://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport Parental Rights Please note that these policies should be in keeping with parental rights to academic accommodations and to alternate texts. Parents/guardians always have the right to request an alternative text for their child(ren). However, if they request that a text be removed for all (i.e. removal from a library or classroom), they will need to follow your LEA/school's text challenge/removal policy. * Parental Rights to Academic Accommodations: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53G/Chapter6/53G-6-S803.html <https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53G/Chapter6/53G-6-S803.html> * Parental Rights to Alternate Texts R277-700-7(4) and R277-700-5(7): https://schools.utah.gov/file/87566e17-47ee-4f0d-9bd4-28ef5f947bc8 Supporting Adolescent Readers: A Guide for Secondary Educators I'm excited to announce that we have an update to the Toolkit for Struggling Readers. Please check out Supporting Adolescent Readers: A Guide for Secondary Educators<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/698c8c65-8753-4609-a841-0af3951d6d59>. This guide can be accessed from USBE's Secondary ELA page under "Resources." Supporting Adolescent Readers: A Guide for Secondary Educators<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/698c8c65-8753-4609-a841-0af3951d6d59> supports educators in providing high-quality, effective instruction for adolescent readers. This guide focuses on four key areas: 1) Assessment, 2) Framework and Planning for Reading Intervention Classes, 3) Evidence-based Instructional Practices, and 4) Adolescent Reading Motivation. Within each area, general information and specific evidence-based recommendations, tools, and strategies are provided to support educators in structuring, designing, and facilitating instruction to best support adolescents who are experiencing reading difficulties. As such, incorporation of the components represented in this guide may provide invaluable support for organizing effective reading instruction. Please use this guide in your LEAs. Educational Equity in Schools Resources Note: the highlighted resources are new since last month's newsletter. In August 2021, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Administration Rules approved R277-328: Educational Equity in Schools<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/722ef396-b45a-4dbb-a974-00a9d9dbcac0> (PDF File)<https://www.schools.utah.gov/file/722ef396-b45a-4dbb-a974-00a9d9dbcac0> This rule is intended to support school districts and charters with standards for educators and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) regarding professional learning, guidelines and requirements for curriculum, and classroom instruction on educational equity. To support LEAs and educators in successful implementation of this rule, the Teaching and Learning team is developing supportive resources for educators to help advance educational equity in every Utah classroom. * The Four Keys to Successful Implementation: This resource shares four key themes we have curated from concerns shared with USBE leadership related to claims of Critical Race Theory (CRT) happening in classrooms. By employing these four keys to successful implementation, educators can increase their confidence in continuing to provide quality learning opportunities that respect each individual. * Orchestrating Productive Classroom Discussions: When orchestrating productive, respectful, and safe classroom discussions, it is essential to have ground rules, language frames, and discussion protocols to support students. This document shares some sample ground rules along with discussion language frames and protocols to assist teachers in facilitating discussions. * Creating Classroom Norms: The intended purpose of this resource is to support educators and students in feeling supported through constructing a classroom culture with explicit norms and expectations for engagement and respectful participation. * Policies and Resources Outlining Teacher Expectations Resources found here<https://www.schools.utah.gov/educationalequity/resources>. Scrible Trainings by UEN UEN has developed online and in-person training on Scrible, the research, writing, and reading digital platform that USBE has adopted. All Utah public school educators and students have free accounts. For UEN videos about Scrible visit: https://sites.google.com/pd.uen.org/utah-scrible-amazing/home To request a Scrible presentation by UEN at your school/LEA, complete this form<https://form.asana.com/?hash=09cb900a8f94bb4564f8feece9fdd6f935c8a1798d9b41…>. John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students<https://go.jfklfoundation.org/e/682543/ofile-in-courage-essay-contest/6qh43…> The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students<https://go.jfklfoundation.org/e/682543/ofile-in-courage-essay-contest/6qh43…> is officially open! We're now accepting submissions from high school students for the 2022 contest-and your students can win up to $10,000 for participating! Sixty-five years ago, John F. Kennedy described the stories of eight U.S. senators who demonstrated great courage under enormous pressure in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage. Although the problems facing our leaders today are different, President Kennedy's message transcends. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest is a great way for students to strengthen their research and writing skills while recognizing courageous leaders who have inspired them. Contest Deadline is January 4, 2022. Do You Have a Pet Peeve about Reading? By Tim Shanahan Both parts are worth reading, including the comments/responses: * Part I<http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/blog/do-you-have-any-pet-peeves-about-rea…> * Part II<http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/blog/do-you-have-a-pet-peeve-about-readin…> 2021-2022 Secondary Literacy Director Meeting Dates Mark your calendars! To receive a meeting invite, contact Brenda McMurtrey at brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> * December 8, 2021 from 1-3pm virtual * January 25, 2022 from 1-3pm * March 22, 2022 from 1-3pm Join the Listserve Want to stay in the loop of future newsletters? Join the Secondary ELA ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/secondaryela or the Library Media ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media Have an item for the monthly Secondary ELA & Library Media newsletter, a research or teaching tip, or an educator spotlight nomination? Email brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> by the first of the month. **Please note: LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of these resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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INFO: USBE Educational Equity Resources
by Watkins, Naomi 03 Sep '21

03 Sep '21

As the Board continues to define and develop related clarification and details associated with the implementation of R277-328, the USBE Teaching and Learning Team will be developing resources to support educators in ensuring educational equity in every Utah classroom. The first two attached resources we have developed include: * The Four Keys to Successful Implementation: This resource shares four key themes we have curated from concerns shared with USBE leadership related to claims of CRT happening in classrooms. By employing these four keys to successful implementation, educators can increase their confidence in continuing to provide quality learning opportunities that respect each individual. * Orchestrating Productive Classroom Discussions: When orchestrating productive, respectful, and safe classroom discussions, it is essential to have ground rules, language frames, and discussion protocols to support students. This document shares some sample ground rules along with discussion language frames and protocols to assist teachers in facilitating discussions. We have launched a website with these resources-https://www.schools.utah.gov/educationalequity/resources. If you have suggestions or feedback on these resources or other related needs, please contact Jennifer.Throndsen(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:Jennifer.Throndsen@schools.utah.gov>. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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April 2021 Secondary ELA & Library Media Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 06 Apr '21

06 Apr '21

Secondary ELA & Library Media News: April 2021 Dear Secondary ELA and Library Media Colleagues: Welcome to National Library Week! You can learn more about this week's celebration here<http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek>, and be sure to thank your favorite librarians (or pat yourself on the back) for all that you do to share the love of reading and the power of solid research. Personally, I'm looking forward to when the public library buildings in my area open again to the public. There are many important causes that are recognized in the month of April with many opportunities for classroom connections: the importance of poetry, our librarians, the acceptance of autism (check out 15 books to read for Autism Acceptance Month<https://diversebooks.org/15-books-to-read-for-autism-acceptance-month/>), and our Earth. Be sure to check them out. Also I'm offering a free professional learning opportunity focused on equity-based MTSS in Secondary ELA settings. See the details below -- I'm hoping you and/or the educators you serve will join us. Lastly, I hope you found rest and rejuvenation during your spring breaks. We're in the home stretch, folks. Naomi What are you currently reading, listening to, and watching? My Current Reads: The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, The Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder that Shocked Jazz-Age America<https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-4514-9862-5> by Karen Abbott My Current Music Listen: "Lovely Day"<https://open.spotify.com/track/0bRXwKfigvpKZUurwqAlEh?si=f_WQXMFfQBaWeO7ldE…> by Bill Withers My Current Watch: UMFA's Black Refractions Exhibit <https://umfa.utah.edu/black-refractions> The exhibit ends this week, so if you're in the neighborhood, get a ticket and go or schedule a virtual tour<https://umfa.utah.edu/virtual-visits>. It's really superb. Educator Spotlight Darren Perkes Teacher - Green Canyon High School Instructional Coach - Cache County School District [cid:image001.png@01D72ACB.DC9FD930] How long have you been teaching? This is my 23rd year of teaching (1 at Box Elder Middle School, 18 at Sky View High School, and 4 at Green Canyon High School) Who/what inspired you to become a teacher? God. And I fought him. I never considered teaching as a career growing up. I had two uncles who were dentists. They worked four-day weeks, had lots of toys, took lots of vacations, and spent plenty of money. I wanted that . . . or so I thought. Everything I worked on in the program for dentistry shut me down. Classes frustrated me. Activities made me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Doors closed faster than they opened. But I had an English class at USU that was the only bright part of my week. I wish I could tell you my professor's name, but I have some undiagnosed disease called "forgetsnamesalot." That one class made me feel alive and hungry for learning. Then the dreams came. Yes, I had dreams about teaching. The weird thing is that I do remember one name in my dreams. Phyllis Bestor - my twelfth-grade English teacher at Orem High School. My dreams weren't about my current situation. They were previous dreams I had had back in high school and suppressed at the time but brought back to life. I would dream about what my teachers had done well and what they could have done better to improve my learning. One math teacher let me go get donuts every day for $3.18 a dozen at Winchell's. Loved that at the time, but I did not learn a thing. Mrs. Bestor was disappointed when I was late to class. She encouraged my research on Apartheid and made me want to help the cause through writing. She helped me learn without knowing I was learning. Dentistry may have helped me have money, but teaching gave me life. Ha, sounds pretty cheesy when I write that, but I stand behind it. Best decision I ever made. What has been the most rewarding part of teaching? The rollercoaster. The highs. The lows. The twists. The turns. The new people I meet every time I ride. I love inspiring the kids (and I use "kids" as a term of endearment and not to belittle them in any way), but I am inspired by them possibly more than they are by me. And often I do not know how or if I did inspire them. That is what is so amazing about the back-and-forth. Teaching has taught me how to work hard for success, learn from failures, and expect the unexpected. I am rarely disappointed from day to day. I embrace the moments! What are your hobbies/interests when you are not teaching? Golf is my happy place to unwind and find peace, at least in how I define it. I enjoy being outdoors with my family hiking, skiing, mountain-biking, traveling, eating treats, and watching movies. Since I never became a dentist, I do not have a boat, an irresponsible muscle car, or a summer home in the Bahamas. But I do have four wonderful children and a loving wife with whom I would prefer to spend most of my time. I enjoy holding hands with and kissing my wife as well. Gross! Why did he say that :-) What do you think is the most important thing about teaching ELA to kids? Communication. We cannot survive without a means of communication. Our job is not simply teaching students how to read and write. We are teaching them how to think critically, consider perspectives responsibly, evaluate written, spoken, and implied meanings effectively, and communicate appropriately. The greatest statement I have learned from a conference I attended that helps me work with students, and teachers, is, "Don't judge, get curious!" I must do that for my students in order for me to help them individually learn. But I am also working to help them understand how to do this with everything they learn. Think about that statement for a minute with any aspect of English writing or literature. It works. Curiosity encourages genuine learning. Kids may have access to all the information they could ever need, and more, with technology, but they still need us to help them learn how to use it. What is your favorite book? Author? I would usually just say the book I am reading at the time, but one that sticks out the most is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. What we create matters. Register NOW! Equity-Based MTSS in Secondary ELA Professional Learning A reminder about registration for the FREE professional learning opportunity that we're hosting: Equity-Based MTSS in Secondary ELA, April 20 and 27 from 9-12pm with a follow-up in Fall 2021 * Virtual sessions with Dawn Miller from SWIFT Education Center * Register on MIDAS | Course # 59317-1 by April 14 * 6 relicensure hours Who should attend? Consider your school/LEA system of supports: * Administrators * ELA/Literacy Directors * Coaches * ELA & SPED educators Learning Targets * Have a shared understanding of an Equity-Based Multi-Tiered System of Support and a growing research base that demonstrates positive outcomes in academic and behavioral arenas * Examine a Fidelity of Integrity Assessment that can be utilized by Building Leadership Teams to evaluate implementation strengths * Explore tools that can be used to design a tiered system * Delve into high leverage instructional practices at the secondary level that could strengthen Universal Support across content areas * Reflect on current strengths and develop actionable steps to define or strengthen current tiered support The WRITE Center Webinar Series The WRITE Center continues to offer webinars on a variety of topics focused on ELA instruction. * What Works Best for Literacy Instruction? Visible Learning for Literacy in History/Social Studies and ELA with Douglas Fisher, Ph.D<https://education.sdsu.edu/directory/edl/douglas-fisher>. on 4/15/2021 3:30-5pm (PST)/ 6:30-8pm (EST) Information and registration found here: https://www.writecenter.org/webinars.html Central Utah Writing Project, One-Week Institute June 21-25, 2021 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 4116 JFSB, BYU Campus This course will emphasize nurturing the writer within each participant. Teachers of all grade levels and subject areas will learn research-driven strategies to cultivate their students' ability to write and think successfully, engage in peer review, foster clear thinking, and facilitate inquiry. Educators will be given ideas and resources necessary to teach and model the writing process effectively in their classrooms. Cost * $300 regular enrollment (45 points) * $450 university enrollment (3 Southern Utah University credits) To register, pay by credit card at this link: https://commerce.cashnet.com/webcuwp Registration Deadline: May 31, 2021 National Poetry Month is in April! Resources from Academy of American Poets https://poets.org/national-poetry-month Interviews with Poets from NCTE https://ncte.org/resources/poetry/ The Poetry Learning Lab from the Poetry Foundation<https://www.poetryfoundation.org/resources/learning> https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn The Poetry Learning Lab is a great source of knowledge, including a glossary of poetry terms, links to public domain poems, and inspiring essays on poetry from writers and educators. Utah Poetry Festival April 16-18 https://utahpoetryfestival.com/utah-poetry-festival-schedule/ A virtual celebration of Utah's poets and poetry, online Friday, April 16th to Sunday, April 18th, 2021. Register to watch live or stream all events later via the Utah Humanities YouTube channel<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyHUS-MR80gR4coQvsi86LQ>. Live events will feature public Q&As. All events closed captioned by AI Media<https://www.ai-media.tv/en/ai-media/>. Teaching Poetry: Audio Recordings of Poetry and Literature from the Library of Congress Wednesday, April 21, 4 p.m. ET This event is open to the public; NCTE membership not required. Join NCTE as we continue our celebration of National Poetry Month with the Library of Congress. In this session, Library of Congress experts will share two core resources for educators wishing to use audio recordings in their work with students: Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature<https://www.loc.gov/collections/archive-of-recorded-poetry-and-literature/a…> Listen to audio-recorded readings of former Consultants in Poetry, including Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks and Robert Frost; Nobel Laureates Mario Vargas Llosa and Czeslaw Milosz; and renowned writers such as Ray Bradbury, Margaret Atwood, and Kurt Vonnegut read from their work at the Library of Congress. The Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature at the Library of Congress dates back to 1943 and contains nearly 2,000 recordings of writers participating in literary events. Each April, the Library adds 50 newly digitized recordings to the online collection as part of National Poetry Month. Poetry of America<https://www.loc.gov/poetry/poetry-of-america/> Learn about this collection of field recordings by a wide range of award-winning contemporary poets. Each poet reads a singular American poem of their choosing, and also speaks to how the poem connects to, deepens, or re-imagines our sense of the nation. The feature includes a print version of the poem to complement the recording, as well as a piece by the participating poet. Registration here: https://ncte.org/events/opportunity-library-congress/ Annual Sor Juana Contest F O R O R I G I N A L P O E T R Y & S H O R T S T O R I E S I N S P A N I S H DEADLINE: June 11, 2021 https://www.artesmexut.org/sor-juana-poetry-contest Earth Day, April 22 Join Caldecott Medal Winner Michaela Goade and Carole Lindstrom for an event to celebrate Earth Day! Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth's water from harm and corruption. Carole and Michaela will read the book, talk about the inspiration, and then lead readers in a Water Protector pledge. Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gH_hz3xXQ9WBfx0BKFtBwg [cid:image002.png@01D72ACB.DC9FD930] [cid:image003.png@01D72ACB.DC9FD930] Secondary Literacy Director Meeting Dates Mark your calendars! To receive a meeting invite, contact Brenda McMurtrey at brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> For 2021-2022: * September 22, 2021 from 1-3pm * November 19, 2021 from 1-3pm * January 25, 2022 from 1-3pm * March 22, 2022 from 1-3pm Join the Listserve Want to stay in the loop of future newsletters? Join the Secondary ELA ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/secondaryela or the Library Media ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media UEN's Learn @ Home Resources Find many learn at home resources for educators, students, and families at https://www.uen.org/learnathome/ Have an item for the monthly Secondary ELA & Library Media newsletter, a research or teaching tip, or an educator spotlight nomination? Email brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> by the first of the month. **Please note: LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of these resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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INFO: Register for Scrible in ELA Training on Dec 7
by Watkins, Naomi 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Background: The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is providing Scrible Edu Pro, a comprehensive research and writing platform, to all Utah K-12 schools via a statewide contract. -------------------------------------------------------------- Come learn how to use Scrible in English Language Arts (ELA)! USBE and Scrible are hosting an ELA training for Utah educators led by the ELA educators listed below, who will share how their schools/districts use Scrible for close reading, research and writing: Jennifer Tillman, Teaching & Learning Specialist, 9 - 12 ELA Caddo Parish Public Schools, Shreveport, LA Yesenia Morales, Supervisor of ELA, ESL and Library North Brunswick Township High School, North Brunswick, NJ The training will be from 3:30-4:45 pm MT on Monday, December 7, 2020. Register here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV_ehFsZ5v8FJmK45NFQHMwoQ-wf8njti…>. Info on how to join the session will be emailed to you closer to the event. NOTE: Educators across subject areas (not just ELA) are welcome/encouraged to join! RESOURCES: USBE and Scrible hosted a training webinar on October 8, 2020, to help you get started with and make the most of this new platform. The webinar recording and accompanying slides are posted at the bottom of this Scrible Utah webpage: https://www.scrible.com/utah It is highly recommended that you watch the recording, ideally before the training. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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November 2020 Secondary ELA & Library Media Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 19 Nov '20

19 Nov '20

Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616 From: Watkins, Naomi Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2020 11:21 AM To: library-media(a)lists.uen.org Subject: November 2020 Secondary ELA & Library Media Newsletter Secondary ELA & Library Media News: November 2020 With the holidays quickly approaching, I hope that you take time to rest and rejuvenate with sleep and reading and/or watching something that’s long been on your list. As always, thanks for all that you do. What are you currently reading, listening to, and watching? My Current Reads: Home Body<https://rupikaur.com/books/home-body/> by Rupi Kaur & Keep Moving<https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Keep-Moving/Maggie-Smith/97819821320…> by Maggie Smith My Current Music Listen: “Chinatown” by Bleachers, featuring Bruce Springsteen <https://open.spotify.com/album/10fSu9RLAJlasIup4ylHPM?si=iVNQnfi3Raelas4fv-…> My Current Podcast Listen: You’re Wrong About<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-wrong-about/id1380008439>. (Description: Mike and Sarah are journalists obsessed with the past. Every week they reconsider a person or event that's been miscast in the public imagination.) I’m currently listening to their deep dive into the life of Princess Diana because I’m also watching... My Current Watch: The Crown, Season 4 on Netflix Educator Spotlight Keith Smedberg, Olympus High School https://twitter.com/TheOlyCenter/status/1121490487976714240 [cid:image002.jpg@01D6BE66.32B6C9F0]When I was a kid, I thought being a teacher would be great. You get your summers off, long holidays, and you get to work in a school with kids, it was something I could totally get into! My first choice was physical education (PE), because you know, sports, what could be hard about sports? As it turns out, sports medicine, kinesiology, and athletics were harder than I imagined and not my scene. So, I decided to go with my love of the natural world and changed my major to biology education. I began my career teaching biology at a high school just outside of Chicago. After two years, I answered the call of the mountains and moved to Utah. In 1995, I was hired by Granite School District and began teaching science at Westlake Junior High. Over the next 17 years, I taught at several schools including Churchill and Valley Junior High. In 2000, I went back to school and earned a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a library endorsement. This led to my current position as a Library Media Education Technology Specialist (LMETS) at Olympus High School. What a trip! Had I known the library was so going to be so wonderful, I would have done that from the start! The best part of being a librarian is encouraging students to read for themselves and not just for school assignments. I want my students to enjoy books, not just analyze books and chapters. Every book that a student enjoys, increases their ability to read and better readers make better life long learners. Some of my favorite authors include Douglas Adams, Jason Reynolds, Libba Bray, Alan Gratz, Tom Green, Neal Shusterman, Mary Roach and Cory Doctorow. When I was in high school, I enjoyed Tom Robbins and Robert Ludlum. When I am not working, you’ll find me skiing or outside enjoying this great state with my wife and three children. National American Indian Heritage Month November is National American Indian Heritage Month. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum provide programming, exhibits, and teacher resources: https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ From Debbie Reese, Nambé Pueblo scholar and founder of American Indians in Children's Literature<https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/>, read “We Can Do Better: Rethinking Native Stories in Classrooms.”<https://ncte.org/blog/2018/11/can-better-rethinking-native-stories-classroo…> The key ideas are to choose books that are tribally specific (that name a specific tribal nation and accurately present that nation), written by Native writers, set in the present day, and relevant all year round, keeping Native peoples visible throughout the school year. From PBS Utah, celebrate with films featuring Indigenous voices: https://www.pbs.org/articles/2020/11/what-to-watch-native-american-heritage… Save the Date: Scrible in ELA Classrooms Save the date for Monday, December 7 from 3:30-5:00pm for a virtual webinar and Q&A with ELA educators from across the U.S. who have successfully used Scrible in their classrooms. More information forthcoming! Art and writing can help heal during times of trauma and loss For many years, teen submissions to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers<https://www.artandwriting.org/> testify to the potential for creative expression to help in hard times. Now, the Art and Writing Awards has published Healing Through Creativity: An Art and Writing Anthology and Discussion Guide<https://www.artandwriting.org/classroom-guides/#healing>, exploring work by teens on the theme of grief and loss. The free anthology includes accompanying Educator Guides providing visual arts and English Language Arts lesson plans, created by Red River Writing Project teacher-leaders, that help students respond to grief through the healing power of art and writing. [cid:image003.png@01D6BE65.AA6C58D0]Using Notice and Note Signposts to create empowered readers, even at a distance The WRITE Center will continue their webinar series in December by hosting Kylene Beers and Bob Probst in a presentation that demonstrates how their Notice and Note Signposts approach can work both in class and online. In this interactive workshop, they will discuss how the Notice and Note Signposts—both fiction and nonfiction—help all readers read closely to become empowered readers and writers. Yes, writers! Presenters will use picture story books, poetry, and current fiction and nonfiction as examples. * When: December 10, 3:30-5p (PST) / 6:30-8p (EST) * Registration: https://www.writecenter.org/webinars.html Conversations with Authors of Young Adult Literature Rebecca Harper, director of the Augusta University Writing Project in Augusta, Georgia, has put together an impressive schedule of conversations with authors of young adult literature as part of the AU Writing Project Book Club and invites you to join. All educators are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. Join one or more of the year’s final meetings, and watch this newsletter for an announcement of the spring line up. * Nov. 21 at 10 a.m.—Gary Schmidt, author of Orbiting Jupiter * Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.—Jerry Pallotta, author of the Alphabet Books series * Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.—Katie Henry, author of Let’s Call it a Doomsday Register at bit.ly/AUWPBookClubFall20<https://nwp.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74fb19be0914ed81636ed0372&id=…> and a Zoom link will be emailed to registrants the day before the book club. Latinx KidLit Book Festival The first ever Latinx KidLit Book Festival<https://www.latinxkidlitbookfestival.com/> will be held virtually on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th, organized by members of Las Musas Books<https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/> and a dedicated team of volunteers. This unique and free event will bring together Latinx kidlit authors and illustrators and engage readers and educators from all over the U.S. and beyond. This festival is for everyone–not just members of the Latinx community. All lovers of kidlit are welcome! They are attempting to reach as many teachers and librarians as possible so students far and wide can tune into this amazing event. Personal invitations will be sent to librarians and educators in October. This invite will include links to educator materials to use with students before, during, and after the festival, as well as instructions on how to enter to win a class set of books by authors featured in the festival. If you'd like this information delivered to your inbox, please fill out one of these forms: Form for schools<https://latinxkidlitbookfestival.wufoo.com/forms/k1qcaf1h117l7gc/> Form for libraries<https://slack-redir.net/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Flatinxkidlitbookfestival.wuf…> The Redford Stories Project The Redford Stories Project is a learning and storytelling initiative providing educators and students with dynamic and integrative tools to actively engage in the movement for environmental justice, protection, and repair, and to develop their capacity as storytellers. This initiative supports educators in bringing an environmental context and content to any class, and brings educators and students into dialogue with youth activists, filmmakers, and environmental and social justice leaders to create a learning community at the nexus of joy for learning, transformational storytelling, and global justice. This year, the Stories Project invites young people ages 10-14 to participate by creating 90-second Apple Clips films about an aspect of environmental justice that is particularly meaningful to them for showcase in April 2021. Learn More →<https://educatorinnovator.org/elevating-student-voice-environmental-justice…> Utah’s 21st Annual Do the Write Thing Challenge (see attachments for more info) The Office of the Governor and the Utah State Board of Education invite you and your students to participate in Utah’s 21st Annual Do the Write Thing Challenge. The Challenge offers 7th and 8th grade students across the state an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives and then write what they think should be done to change the culture of violence. Personal responsibility is emphasized by encouraging students to make a commitment to do something about the problem. The program ultimately strives to help them break the cycle of violence in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Two writings per participating schools will be selected as state finalists and will be invited to attend a recognition luncheon where the top two authors will be announced in April 2021. State finalists will receive a scholarship deposit to their My529 Education Savings Account. The top two essays will be published and placed in the Library of Congress as Utah’s national finalists. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate the Challenge into their regular classroom curriculum. Lesson plans can be found on the website at www.schools.utah.gov/prevention/dtwt<http://www.schools.utah.gov/prevention/dtwt>. Rules, entry forms, and additional information are also available on this website. The following is a list of ideas for the classroom: * English: use as an essay or poetry-writing assignment; * Health: discuss personal safety and well-being of others; * Civics: conduct an exercise on personal and civic responsibility; * History: use an historical perspective to examine youth violence. The deadline for entries is January 15th, 2021. The 2020 challenge involved more than 2,400 students participating in classroom discussions about youth violence with more than 1,100 submitting essays from 24 different teachers. We look forward to increasing these numbers in the 2021 Challenge. If you have any questions, please contact Cuong Nguyen at cuong.nguyen(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:cuong.nguyen@schools.utah.gov> or call (801) 538-7790. We encourage your students’ participation and look forward to this year’s Challenge. Sincerely, Governor Gary R. Herbert Secondary Literacy Director Meeting Dates, 2020-2021 Mark your calendars! To receive a meeting invite, contact Brenda McMurtrey at brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> * January 20, 2021 from 1-3pm * March 24, 2021 from 1-3pm Join the Listservs Want to stay in the loop of future newsletters? Join the Secondary ELA ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/secondaryela or the Library Media ListServ at https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media UEN’s Learn @ Home Resources Find many learn at home resources for educators, students, and families at https://www.uen.org/learnathome/ Have an item for the monthly Secondary ELA & Library Media newsletter, a research or teaching tip, or an educator spotlight nomination? Email brenda.mcmurtrey(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov> by the first of the month. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary ELA and Library Media Specialist Utah State Board of Education 801-538-7616

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