November+10,+2009

November 10, 2009


 * Project Citizen and Representative Democracy in America - Kristie Fink**
 * In the second year of a five-year project
 * Can provide a free 2-hour professional development for teachers, will give each teacher who attends some materials
 * They are promoting civic and character ed in schools
 * June 7-9 workshop for teachers to see the process of state government in action. Held in Salt Lake at various sites. Free or nearly free, plus credit. (USOE or graduate through Utah State for $30 recording fee.) Other activities on Thursday and Friday could be done in conjunction, or separately.
 * www.utahciviccoalition.org
 * Spring 2010, no day set yet, service learning approach to solving local concerns, designed for teacher to be able to share with students?


 * Utah Geographic Alliance - David Keyes**
 * Geography Awareness Week - Nov 15 - 21
 * National Geographic Bee (4-8 grades) deadline extended
 * Alliance Summer Geography Institute - June 21-26, 2010 in Cedar City - www.ngsednet.org/uga
 * Geography Conference in spring (march?) in Ogden?


 * "The Current Events" - Ann Duncan**
 * New national newspaper, but started locally on the east coast in 1999.
 * 17 times a year, every other Monday delivery, alternates between elementary and secondary, so 2 issues per month for each. The elementary version comes out in two different levels 2-3, 4-6, with same articles, just different reading levels. Not necessarily the same stories/topcis for the secondary version.
 * Integrated with literacy and reading levels.
 * 8 page newspaper, questions to consider, some puzzles and games, map each issue, vocab, 4 pages in color and 4 in black and white.
 * anncduncan@msn.com to discuss or order copies.


 * Larry H. Miller Summer Seminars - Pam Su'a**
 * Website ready probably by end of November, will be an online application. Applications due early in December, requires Principal approval. 5, 8, 11 grade teachers.
 * When you apply, talk about how it will benefit your students.
 * June 10 - 18 - American Revolution and American Literature (Transcendental period) in Boston. Encouraging a team of teachers in both disciplines. PLCs are given priority.
 * June ? - Lewis and Clark Trail. River trip, follow trail. 8-days long.
 * July 8 - 14 - Civil War in Washington DC and Virginia


 * LOC Primary Sources grant - Pam Su'a**
 * Done during summer, will pay stipends to participating teachers.
 * Will primarily target those teachers who participated in the first two grants for this project.
 * New teachers are also welcome for the initial training. Teams encouraged.
 * Results are annotated resource sets and DBQs based on resources.
 * Will be accessed through UEN as well as Metropolitan State in Denver
 * Those that have been done are currently also available on Jordan District site - curriculum - history - Teaching with Primary Sources - by grade level
 * pamela.sua@jordan.k12.ut.us


 * Senate Youth Program**
 * Look into it for this year, or next


 * Social Studies Endorsement - Tom Sutton**
 * 9 different endorsements available in social studies, they are similar, but distinct.
 * List of courses and the university numbers for most Utah universities given - Cory has this list for history, or you will be able to see them all on USOE site soon.
 * Praxis test (either for history, or for composite - take one of two different content area tests)
 * This is an add-on to an existing license.
 * Can get a SAEP (State approved endorsement plan) if you are working on getting the endorsement (likely as you are teaching it.) Usually 2 years on the plan, but extensions are available for an additional year.
 * Looking for teachers in sociology and psychology who want to go back east and work on the Praxis tests in those areas. Great experience for those teachers who have done that in other areas.


 * State History Fair - Tom Sutton**
 * Funded by Utah State again. Nick Demas rehired to do it.
 * March 29th, 2010 at Farmington (County Fairgrounds)


 * State Amazing Race - Tom Sutton**
 * Combine geography with science, or just geography teachers.
 * Look at historical points, geocaches with clues to next points, etc.
 * Pearson Publishing and Utah Geo Alliance will sponsor some. Still talking to other potential sponsors.
 * Jared Covili, Ross Rogers, Canyons, Jordan, others to head it up again. Probably on a weekday.


 * Race to the Top Grant - Glo Merrill**
 * $440 million for 12 states - Stimulus money.
 * Utah feels confident that they will be in the running.
 * Merit pay would have to be included in the proposed legislation.
 * High priority at USOE right now.
 * Concerns about red/blue state and how that will affect our application.


 * Social Studies State Master Plan**
 * In process.


 * K-2 Social Studies Core Curriculum**
 * Presented and approved this past week.
 * We now need to get it out to the teachers.


 * Literacy Strategies**
 * We did an anticipation guide reading regarding vampire bats.
 * We did an Alphabox activity with a few topics.