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 Kenthttp://www.matthewjohnburgess.com/make-meatballs-sing-the-life-art-of-corita-kent 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: Belfasthttps://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 Granthttps://www.insiderutah.com/articles/bryce-valley-high-school-receives-national-grant-for-small-and-rural-libraries/?fbclid=IwAR0czwscIYnmX_sUXMcHCncd9prINouLE7tjh8szrPi2No_pN7GqpB0QWpw 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 herehttps://community.utah.gov/contest/. Here's where to submit your entryhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y6S-N1KVcrJO9wrAHWR29c-8lgfcZdUycLGDPd5S2YM/edit?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0. Submissions accepted through Dec. 14 (cut off at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 14).
Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundationhttps://preserveauschwitz.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d4d5ca0c6ebf1f490f17ad94b&id=4ba5805bf8&e=d329e2f64e (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 herehttps://preserveauschwitz.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d4d5ca0c6ebf1f490f17ad94b&id=571324fe64&e=d329e2f64e 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@perserveauschwitz.orgmailto:gosiasweiss@perserveauschwitz.org.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Studentshttps://go.jfklfoundation.org/e/682543/ofile-in-courage-essay-contest/6qh43/364441136?h=-TU8a-toKwgoUTCDLAK6rvjQpewhPSXAvYAz4cvARj4
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Studentshttps://go.jfklfoundation.org/e/682543/ofile-in-courage-essay-contest/6qh43/364441136?h=-TU8a-toKwgoUTCDLAK6rvjQpewhPSXAvYAz4cvARj4 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'shttps://www.utahwomenshistory.org/bios/marthahughescannon/ election as the first female state senator in the nation with new lessons and primary source setshttps://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 herehttp://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 herehttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT14Dptw4rKlixT3QMJt2zjLu2ECX-zDfgXzE7lkgAHT-0g/viewform 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 herehttps://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 webinarhttps://click.everyaction.com/k/38900076/317516213/-803653937?v=Vqtt8vNqw3s&utm_medium=email&utm_source=the-sift&utm_campaign=the-sift-nov22-2021&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMi8xLzY0OTIwIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImIyZDNiYWU1LWJiNGItZWMxMS05ODIwLWM4OTY2NTNiMjZjOCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibmFvbWkud2F0a2luc0BzY2hvb2xzLnV0YWguZ292Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=at4MLOtvFlWb-7NiWrtHJfIbiCl9pnGPx_LmRfZFKnQ=&emci=430bedf7-974b-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&emdi=b2d3bae5-bb4b-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&ceid=10450377 focused on helping people have productive conversations about false beliefs without confrontation. This webinar - part of a serieshttps://click.everyaction.com/k/38900077/317516214/-274993585?utm_medium=email&utm_source=the-sift&utm_campaign=the-sift-nov22-2021&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMi8xLzY0OTIwIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImIyZDNiYWU1LWJiNGItZWMxMS05ODIwLWM4OTY2NTNiMjZjOCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibmFvbWkud2F0a2luc0BzY2hvb2xzLnV0YWguZ292Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=at4MLOtvFlWb-7NiWrtHJfIbiCl9pnGPx_LmRfZFKnQ=&emci=430bedf7-974b-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&emdi=b2d3bae5-bb4b-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&ceid=10450377 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=email&utm_source=the-sift&utm_campaign=the-sift-nov22-2021&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMi8xLzY0OTIwIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImIyZDNiYWU1LWJiNGItZWMxMS05ODIwLWM4OTY2NTNiMjZjOCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibmFvbWkud2F0a2luc0BzY2hvb2xzLnV0YWguZ292Ig0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=at4MLOtvFlWb-7NiWrtHJfIbiCl9pnGPx_LmRfZFKnQ=&emci=430bedf7-974b-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&emdi=b2d3bae5-bb4b-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&ceid=10450377 (NLP's Resource Library).
Civil Liberties in Times of Crisis: The Japanese American Experience
JACL and the National Endowment for the Humanitieshttps://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-a7a7-47e3-a39c-240569f60bff
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-with-scrible-2022
To request a Scrible presentation by UEN at your school/LEA, complete this formhttps://form.asana.com/?hash=09cb900a8f94bb4564f8feece9fdd6f935c8a1798d9b4184ae45554d4f512e3f&id=1191987209267891.
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 Schoolshttps://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 herehttps://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/se... https://sites.google.com/sedck12.org/icsd-policies-and-handbooks/district/section-i/igdcc-library-media-materials?authuser=0 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 Educatorshttps://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 Educatorshttps://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@schools.utah.govmailto: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@schools.utah.govmailto: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
