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INFO: Wasatch Reading Summit
by Naomi Watkins 16 Sep '25

16 Sep '25

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INFO: Sept 2025 Secondary ELA Newsletter
by Naomi Watkins 04 Sep '25

04 Sep '25

Hello, Secondary ELA Educators, Leaders, and Designees: Please read and share the September 2025 Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Q-IB-De4d_ue0yiw7tutsdhxsLpTxuy/view?usp=…>. Thank you! [cid:image001.png@01DC1DAF.AD50ACA0] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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INFO: May/June 2025 Secondary ELA Newsletter
by Naomi Watkins 27 May '25

27 May '25

Hello, Secondary ELA Educators, Leaders, and Designees: Please read and share the May/June 2025 Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-hfDAmlRfzoneBG5d2Lz1isFYYUOCgGi/view?usp=…>. Thank you! [cid:image001.png@01DBCF32.215CDCD0] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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Recording of Reflection & Writing Webinar
by Naomi Watkins 07 May '25

07 May '25

Hello everyone, I am excited to share with you the recording and resources from our final Secondary ELA Webinar of the school year on "Reflection and Writing," featuring ELA teachers, Brandon Merrill and Megan McOmber. Please find the recording of the webinar and the resources<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FlCdUyU1sDtcdhdgCdsH88ekiXL-ulqP?us…> shared during the session. I hope you find these materials helpful as you reflect on this school year and plan for the next. You can also access previous webinars to view: 2023-24<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KnWonSBxtv9cZ5V-6AzDx0ALeso-hAhe?us…> school year, 2024-25<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13imOG6ThlC7FZ0ttlrxr84gZsM_615lK?us…> school year. Thanks, Naomi [cid:image001.png@01DBBF3B.8F51CCC0] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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FW: New title to be removed from Utah public schools
by Naomi Watkins 06 May '25

06 May '25

FYI - I am here to support you so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Sincerely, [cid:a5c3cb86-6f72-45bd-9e30-d2a91edb85b3] Join the USBE Library Media list serve<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media> 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 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. ________________________________ From: Davina Sauthoff Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 4:41 PM Subject: New title to be removed from Utah public schools Dear LEA-appointed representatives for reporting sensitive materials, We appreciate all your efforts in the implementation of §53G-10-103 and USBE. As required by §53G-10-103 and Board Rule R277-628, this email serves as communication by USBE to all LEAs that the following title has met the statewide threshold and should be removed from student access in all Utah public schools. Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen The entire list of titles to be removed from Utah public schools, along with additional resources, can be found on the USBE library media webpage<https://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/librarymedia> under the "Sensitive Materials" tab. It will be updated regularly as any additional titles meet the statewide threshold. Please work with district leadership and all appropriate personnel to communicate this information to all educators and staff who this may affect. I encourage you to reach out any time if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, [cid:a5c3cb86-6f72-45bd-9e30-d2a91edb85b3] Join the USBE Library Media list serve<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media> 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 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.

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TOMORROW: Final Secondary ELA Webinar of the School Year!
by Naomi Watkins 05 May '25

05 May '25

Don't miss our final webinar of the 2024-25 school year! Reflection & Writing Tuesday, May 6 from 4:00 - 5:00pm Webinar Description: Take one step back to reflect on the writing practices of your classroom this past year and then take two steps forward into the next year with specific methods for making reflection the foundation of your pedagogy. Come learn about teaching for transfer, modeling vulnerability and reflection as teachers, and the strategies to make it all happen. Presenters: Megan Russell, ELA Teacher at Payson High School & Associate Director of Central Utah Writing Project Brandon Merrill, ELA Teacher at Maple Mountain High School, Advisory Board Member of Central Utah Writing Project REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/Frgn4ui7Tbqla3qGbxA-CQ#/r…> [cid:image001.png@01DBBDC4.BE344D60] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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Recording of Secondary ELA Webinar: Playful Poetry
by Naomi Watkins 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

Hello everyone, I am sharing with you the recording of the Secondary ELA webinar we had last Thursday, titled "Playful Poetry," featuring the incredible Jason Stephenson. The session was truly engaging and informative, and I believe it will be a valuable resource for all of you. One of the attendees even mentioned that it was the best training they have ever attended! This feedback highlights just how impactful and enjoyable the webinar was. You can access the recording and the handout<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13i-vxIfRbre6Oia3rTOkVzR8aoNGM08c?us…> (this includes a link to Jason's slides). I encourage you to watch it if you couldn't attend and share it with colleagues. Don't miss our final webinar of the 2024-25 school year! Reflection & Writing Tuesday, May 6 from 4:00 - 5:00pm Webinar Description: Take one step back to reflect on the writing practices of your classroom this past year and then take two steps forward into the next year with specific methods for making reflection the foundation of your pedagogy. Come learn about teaching for transfer, modeling vulnerability and reflection as teachers, and the strategies from Dr. Shelly Reid<https://wac.colostate.edu/docs/books/rethinking/writing.pdf> to make it all happen. Presenters: Megan Russell, ELA Teacher at Payson High School & Associate Director of Central Utah Writing Project Brandon Merrill, ELA Teacher at Maple Mountain High School, Advisory Board Member of Central Utah Writing Project REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/Frgn4ui7Tbqla3qGbxA-CQ#/r…> Thanks, Naomi [cid:image001.png@01DBB85D.295AD6D0] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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INFO: Skills for the Future Progressions Work Group
by Naomi Watkins 24 Apr '25

24 Apr '25

Dear Middle and High School Teachers, As many of you already know, ETS and the Carnegie Foundation have partnered to create Skills for the Future Learning Progressions for Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication. To ensure that these progressions support middle and high school students and teachers, we are seeking 12 experts (6 middle school and 6 high school TEACHERS) to 1) review these progressions and translate the research versions into language appropriate for educators and students, and 2) add levels to the progressions that precede the existing three levels that have been written for high school use. Following is an overview of what the work will entail. - We anticipate holding five (5) virtual meetings from 8:30-12:30 to occur after the end of the school year tentatively scheduled for June 9th-13th. - We will provide background on the development of the progressions and a full review of each progression. - During the work time, you will collaborate with other educators to create the teacher/student DRAFT of the progressions for middle and high school students. A stipend of $1,000 will be provided for your time, expertise, and feedback. Only respond if you are available all five days. Please complete this form<https://forms.gle/QuyuGEg5JAL1eRWV8> by April 30 if you (classroom teachers only) are interested and willing to join us for this exciting work. If you are a school leader, please share with middle or high school teachers who you think may be interested in participating. Thank you for your time and attention and I look forward to meeting and working with you! Sincerely, Jeri Thompson, Lyons Assessment Consulting Susie Bell State Engagement Lead Skills for the Future/ETS [cid:3920d34e-7f58-40d4-ad75-a5f823f9b220]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/b12ec13c23624564a4b25337d37ceefe…> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/b12ec13c23624564a4b25337d37ceefe…> ________________________________ This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain privileged or confidential information. It is solely for use by the individual for whom it is intended, even if addressed incorrectly. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender; do not disclose, copy, distribute, or take any action in reliance on the contents of this information; and delete it from your system. Any other use of this e-mail is prohibited. Thank you for your compliance. ________________________________

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THIS THURSDAY: April's USBE Secondary ELA Webinar
by Naomi Watkins 23 Apr '25

23 Apr '25

Join for April's USBE Secondary ELA Webinar! Playful Poetry Thursday, April 24 from 4:00 - 5:00pm Webinar Description: April is National Poetry Month! Discover how to make poetry engaging and accessible all year long. In this interactive webinar, explore creative strategies like ekphrastic responses, Venn diagram structures, and a recitation contest. Through playful reading and writing activities, you'll gain practical tools to inspire students and bring poetry to life in your classroom. Presenter: Jason Stephenson taught high school English and creative writing for thirteen years in a suburb of Oklahoma City. Jason began attending Red Dirt Poetry open mics in 2017, and now serves as Red Dirt's Co-Director of Education, overseeing the monthly Red Dirt Writes workshops. His work has been published in Canary Collective, Oklahoma Humanities, and Oklahoma English Journal. REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvfu2hpjkjG9JW-qbbw9NKc…> [cid:image001.png@01DBB474.EB5F50E0] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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INFO/ACTION: ELA Webinars & MLL Book Study
by Naomi Watkins 15 Apr '25

15 Apr '25

Below are three upcoming opportunities for professional learning in the Secondary ELA space. See the attached flyers. Join for April and May's USBE Secondary ELA Webinars! Playful Poetry Thursday, April 24 from 4:00 - 5:00pm Webinar Description: April is National Poetry Month! Discover how to make poetry engaging and accessible all year long. In this interactive webinar, explore creative strategies like ekphrastic responses, Venn diagram structures, and a recitation contest. Through playful reading and writing activities, you'll gain practical tools to inspire students and bring poetry to life in your classroom. Presenter: Jason Stephenson taught high school English and creative writing for thirteen years in a suburb of Oklahoma City. Jason began attending Red Dirt Poetry open mics in 2017, and now serves as Red Dirt's Co-Director of Education, overseeing the monthly Red Dirt Writes workshops. His work has been published in Canary Collective, Oklahoma Humanities, and Oklahoma English Journal. REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvfu2hpjkjG9JW-qbbw9NKc…> Reflection & Writing Tuesday, May 6 from 4:00 - 5:00pm Webinar Description: Take one step back to reflect on the writing practices of your classroom this past year and then take two steps forward into the next year with specific methods for making reflection the foundation of your pedagogy. Come learn about teaching for transfer, modeling vulnerability and reflection as teachers, and the strategies from Dr. Shelly Reid<https://wac.colostate.edu/docs/books/rethinking/writing.pdf> to make it all happen. Presenters: Megan Russell, ELA Teacher at Payson High School & Associate Director of Central Utah Writing Project Brandon Merrill, ELA Teacher at Maple Mountain High School, Advisory Board Member of Central Utah Writing Project REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/Frgn4ui7Tbqla3qGbxA-CQ#/r…> Transforming Instruction for Multilingual Learners in Secondary ELA: An Asynchronous Book Study Select one of five books to enhance your secondary ELA instruction, focusing on evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for MLLs. Learn alongside your PLC, department, or a chosen colleague in an asynchronous book study! Earn 0.5 USBE credit | Free digital book copy for Secondary ELA educators and leaders Book Options * CONTENT-AREA CONVERSATIONS: How to Plan Discussion-Based Lessons for Diverse Language Learners<https://www.ascd.org/books/content-area-conversations?variant=108035> by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Carol Rothenberg * GROWING LANGUAGE & LITERACY: Strategies for Secondary Multilingual Learners<https://www.heinemann.com/products/e17081.aspx> by Andrea Hongisfeld * KIDS COME IN ALL LANGUAGES: Visible Learning for Multilingual Learners<https://www.corwin.com/books/kids-come-in-all-languages-263256> by Oscar Corrigan, Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, John Hattie * UNLOCKING MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS' POTENTIAL: Strategies for Making Content Accessible<https://www.corwin.com/books/unlocking-mls-potential-284441> by Diane Staehr Fenner, Sydney Snyder, Meghan Gregoire-Smith * WRITING ACROSS CULTURE & LANGUAGE: Inclusive Strategies for Working with ELL Writers in the ELA Classroom<https://publicationsncte.org/content/books/9780814100615> by Christina Ortmeier-Hooper REGISTER<https://forms.gle/5VvPRgWaYu1xqu6u8> [cid:image001.png@01DBAE01.21606F50] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/admin/secondaryela>

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