WA Standards-Palooza Wenatchee 2026

Communication in the modern era extends far beyond traditional face-to-face presentations and classroom discussions. Recognizing this shift, the revised Washington State ELA Learning Standards have explicitly reimagined oral language by establishing the Speaking, Listening, and Digital Forums domain. In this interactive session, educators will explore how this updated framework elevates communication skills from basic conversation rules into dynamic tools for collaboration, digital literacy, and civic engagement across all grade levels.

Through hands-on activities, participants will map the progression of these standards from kindergarten through 12th grade. We will focus on how to design structured, collaborative learning environments where students learn to synthesize diverse perspectives, evaluate audio-visual arguments, and communicate responsibly across asynchronous and synchronous digital platforms. Attendees will leave with practical, classroom-tested frameworks to help students develop a confident voice while navigating the complexities of digital communication and public discourse.