This graphic organizer is used for students to take notes durig our Synthesis (Open Up Resources) or Consolidation (Building Thinking Classrooms) whole group instruction time. I usually spend 10-15 minutes on this piece in my classroom daily.  

In my classroom students work on VNPS (Vertical Non-Permanant surfaces) in groups of 3 daily. Watch this video to see what that looks like in my 7th grade math class.  

In our new episode of Homeroom we are joined by, Kerri Hopkins and Anne Dibble from the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program to discuss how all teachers can bring more art into their classrooms. We learn how arts can improve academic performance across all subjects, the need to overcome our fears when expanding into the arts, and the different programs available to Utah schools through BTSALP.

This professional development article describes approaches to using social media in harnessing the power of Web 2.0 technologies to reinforce the connection between multimedia literacy and powerful content-area learning in grades K-5. The emphasis is on collaboration with the school librarian. The article appears in the free online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle, which is structured around the seven essential principles of the climate sciences.

The concept of close reading has not been without debate, and so I will first provide an overview of what close reading is and could mean for ELLs, including some definitions of close reading. Then I'll present the role of background knowledge, which is a major consideration with teaching ELLs close reading, and share some recommended resources.

This worksheet will help students practice their badminton skills and cues such as underhand serving, forehand stroking, overhand stroking, and more.

Set yourself up for success this Finals season when creating your Final Exams in Derivita.

This week UEN Homeroom welcomes Chris Jones and Nadia Pflaum, from KUTV's Beyond the Books series. We discuss the role of media in education, how citizens can get involved in education oversight, and where all the great stories about education originate. We're lucky to Jared Fawson sub for Dani for this conversation.

This video is a short overview of what fluency with text is, why it's important, and a few tips on how to teach it.

This video is a short overview of what phonics is, why it's important, and a few tips on how to teach it.

This article continues an examination of each of the seven essential principles of the climate sciences on which the online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle is structured. Principle 3 states that life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate. The climate dictates where and how species can survive. The author discusses the scientific concepts underlying the life forms' dependence on the climate and expands the discussion with diagrams, photos, and online resources.

In this week's UEN Homeroom,we talk with Brandon Jacobsen, the CTE - IT Specialist for the Utah Board of Education, about the changing face of computer science in our schools. We discuss topics like: how is computer science being presented to Utah students, the role of computer science in all curriculums - not just STEM, what the job market looks like for students with a CS background, and more.

Dani and Jared are pleased to welcome Bri DeLeon and Richard Thomas, from Latinos in Action, into the Homeroom this week. During this powerful episode we discuss topics such as: How do we talk to students about racism? What does systemic racism look like in the education system? How do we encourage schools to celebrate diversity? How do we include parents and families into conversations about racism? And what are some strategies that can help create a more inclusive environment for faculty and students?

In this episode of UEN Homeroom,Dani and Matt are joined by ULEAD program director McKell Withers and the 6th grade teachers at Greenwood Elementary. Listen to learn more about the ULEAD education initiative and how these successful educators and their students have become "Bright Spots" in their school district.

Dani and Jared are excited to have Brittney Cummins, Senior Education Adviser to Governor Cox, as a guest on UEN Homeroom this week. Brittney provides us with the State of Education in Utah and she shares her experience in her new role helping education. Topics include: how educators are excelling in Utah, the roll that government plays in providing assistance to education, the Governor's education agenda moving forward, and how Utah schools are overcoming the pandemic.

On this episode of UEN Homeroom,Dani and Matt are joined by Alfonso Mendoza, an EdTech professional, podcast host and educator. The three of them discuss using EdTech to build community and inclusivity.

In this episode, Matt and Dani talk with two groups of teachers about their experiences with burnout. They first talk with teachers from Ben Lomond High School in Ogden and then discuss the same topics with educators from the rural Piute School District. Listen to hear how burnout affects the educators in similar ways and how they are combatting it.

Google Sheets wiz Ben Collins shared a great checklist template with a filling bar.