Students at Decker Lake Create eBooks
Brian the Social Studies teacher at Decker Lake had students create eBooks to share what they learned about WWII. Follow the link below to be taught by our students about WWII.
WWII eBooks
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Animal Habitats
DSI/Gemstone students learned about animal habitats and then created habitats and the animals that live in that type of habitat.
Shakespeare
Decker Lake Much Ado About Nothing
Southern Utah University and the Utah Shakespeare Festival presented Much Ado About Nothing at Decker Lake Youth Center. The students at Decker Lake read Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing before the performance. Then after the performance the actors answered their questions about the play as well as about what it is like to be and actor.
Workshops were then held for the students were divided into groups and the actors had them do different activities. One person pretended to hold a box and another person had to ask them about what was in the box. If they didn’t like the answer they could say new choice and the person answering would have to come up with a different answer. They also did some mirroring. This is where two people face each other and one person pretends to look in a mirror and the other person pretends to be their reflection duplicating their movements.
It was a great experience for the actors as well as the student. We thank the English teacher Dieter for making the arrangement for this to happen.
What Is Happening At Salt Lake Valley Youth Center
New mentor Kim starts at Salt Lake Valley Youth Center
Kim started this year as a Mentor for youth. She helps support youth in school as well as helping them access other resources that they may need. When Kim meets with students she will let them pick a positive thought for the day.
Students show off their artistic talents in Kathleen’s art class.
Paleontology at Decker Lake
Dinosaur Bones
After virtual visits to some of our other sites Decker was able to have an in-person visit with a Paleontologist from the University of Utah. They learned how to identify if something is a bone.
Students learned that like trees, bones have rings in them and it tells Scientist about the animal.
A microscope was hooked up to the computer and students had to decide if what was under the microscope was a tree or a dinosaur bone.
Caring for Ukraine
Caring for Ukraine
The children at the Christmas Box House are no strangers to trauma. They have experienced things from physical/sexual abuse, emotional/mental abuse, drug abuse, and neglect. When my class heard the stories about Ukraine, their hearts understood that the children of Ukraine were hurting. One of my students asked, “What about the kids? What are they doing?” Another said, “The kids have no toys or candy? That’s sad.” A mentor, Kori Pritchard, in the YESS Program shared that Kirsten Rappleye, the Director of First Lady Initiatives, (Abby Cox), was gathering supplies for Ukraine, my class sprang into action. We made pictures, and my students, gave up something of their very own to give to the kids in Ukraine. My class talked about being brave and how our purple squishy hearts help them feel safe. My students wanted to share some purple hearts with the kids in Ukraine as well. Below is a picture that includes the drawings, stuffed animals, candy, and brave hearts that my students wanted to give to the kids in Ukraine. We know our contribution is small, but it comes from the heart of one child to another. Love, Mrs. Hall
UTAH’S Best Mentors!
YESS is known for it’s Mentors
YESS Mentors attended the Check and Connect National Conference. Ann Jones was a presenter at the conference. It was a two day virtual conference. The mentors gathered at Roosevelt Continuation School.
The Mentors meet once a month to coordinate, collaborate and learn from each other.
Thanks Mentors for all you do for the students in our schools!
AMAZING ART
AMAZING ART
Salt Lake Valley Youth Center and our Transition Classroom show off their artistic abilities.
Felon Poems
Reginald Dwayne Betts visited with students at Decker Lake Youth Center about writing poetry. Before Betts visit, classes read several of his poems so they were able to discuss the poems and their meanings with him. Betts explained that he taught himself how to type so he could send his poems out to possibly be published. He didn’t know those typing skills would greatly benefit him as he attended Yale Law School.
Students were given notebooks and Betts encouraged them to start writing. Students were given time to start writing; several shared what they wrote with Betts. Students will meet at a later time and share what they write with their peers.
Excited student had Betts sign the books he gave them.
STEMCAP
At DSI/Gemstone they have been working with the University of Utah STEMCAP to learn about Paleontology and Biodiversity loss.
Carrie Levitt-Bussian explained to students what a paleontologist does. She shared that her favorite part of her job is the fieldwork. In the field she uses jackhammers and concrete saws. She also gave them a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum of Utah which the students enjoyed seeing the current fossils being studied in the lab.
Students learned what “environmental grand challenges” are and the relationship of biodiversity loss to other grand challenges. Students saw the importance of protecting biodiversity. Austin Green taught students how citizen scientists play a role in helping to monitor biodiversity in Utah. He discussed with students the impact the population growth has had on animal habitats and ecosystems. They talked about that when roads are built through canyons, the birds will not fly across the road. This can have a negativly affect the biodiversity of the birds. He showed them the bridge that was made to help other animals safely cross Interstate 80 highway. The bridges don’t help the birds, and is not a perfect solution, but is a step in the right direction.
Students made thaumatrope artwork. This is where you draw on both sides of a circle that is glued to a stick and roll it in between your hands, when it spins a new picture appears.
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