2026 Elevated Teaching Summit: Full Schedule

Vision

In Canyons School District, we believe that all stakeholders benefit from purposeful technology integration within the learning process, focusing on student achievement. Educational technology will be used to empower teachers, students, and other stakeholders to gain the knowledge and skills needed to adapt, create, consume, and connect responsibly and ethically with the broader world in preparation for meaningful life opportunities.

arrow_back View All Dates

12:40pm MDT

The Book was Better (But Was it Really?): Using Book-to-Media Adaptations in Instruction

OPEN SEATS

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm MDT

3410

Limited Capacity seats available

The Book Was Better explores the thrills and pitfalls of middle-grade and young adult book-to-movie adaptations. We will examine how beloved stories are transformed—sometimes faithfully, sometimes frustratingly—when they hit the big screen or streaming platforms. From casting controversies to plotline overhauls, the conversation will dive into what adaptations get right, what they get wildly wrong, and why it matters to tween and teen readers. It will also highlight how these adaptations can be leveraged in the classroom and library to spark engagement, fuel book circulation, and support media literacy conversations. Attendees will leave with programming ideas, booklists, and talking points to help students critically compare page and screen.

Presenter

Gretchen Zaitzeff

District library media specialist, Canyons School District

As co-lead of the Utah Information, News, and Media Literacy Collaborative, Gretchen Zaitzeff brings a strong background in fostering critical media engagement and empowering educators to integrate information, news, and media literacy across the curriculum. She works as the District... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm MDT
3410

Instructional Priorities

Audience Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Teacher-librarians

2026 Elevated Teaching Summit

12:40pm MDT

Gretchen Zaitzeff

Get help with the event