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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 15h

What #LiteracyWins did our community share so far? This #BannedBooksWeek, we're uplifting the stories of local literacy advocacy, like the Books Save Lives Grant from We Need Diverse Books: buff.ly/hVEPQql

Share your local "wins" in the comments! 📖

A library that received the Books Save Lives Grant

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 1d

Access to books shouldn’t depend on a ZIP code. 📚 Central Michigan University Marie Berrell Endowed Professor of Literacy Tiffany A. Flowers offers 10 practical, community-driven strategies to ensure every child has the chance to read and thrive: buff.ly/4eDfPUL

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 2d

In this short video, University of Missouri-St. Louis Associate Professor Shea Kerkhoff introduces a new study exploring how dialogic argument writing can help students engage with evidence, question assumptions, and strengthen civic reasoning. Read the open access article: buff.ly/SD0kKlR

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 3d

This #BannedBooksWeek, we want to hear about your wins. Did you design an engaging book display? Organize to overturn a book ban? Discuss an article promoting literacy access for all?

Share your stories with us by using the hashtag #LiteracyWins. We will unveil a “wins wall” of all submissions. 🌎📚

An image of elementary-aged children gathered around a globe model. The text reads "We're celebrating #LiteracyWins across the globe—share yours!"

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 6d

Big results don’t always require big changes.💡On October 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET, literacy researcher and educator Devin Kearns will lead a live webinar showcasing how small, evidence-based shifts can transform your literacy instruction. Register now: buff.ly/Bs4RHFt

Small Changes, Big Results: Evidence-Based Strategies That Boost Literacy Success | International Literacy Association

October 14, 2025 | 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. What if you could improve student outcomes by making just a few small changes to...

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 7d

Families and caregivers can play a vital role in children's language growth—while also honoring their cultural heritage. Watch as Mai W. Zaru, a postdoctoral fellow at Southern Methodist University, explores how the peer-assisted reading strategy can be used to foster connections: buff.ly/BYbnnQR

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 8d

In an article for Reading Research Quarterly, the authors visualize more than 100 acts of resistance to book banning. 📢 Their maps highlight students, educators, librarians, and advocacy groups working to sustain students’ right to read: buff.ly/e3afAjJ

A United States map showing Freedom to Read Laws and Bills

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 9d

In a recent article, Sam Houston State University teacher educator Sonja Ezell—who recently served as chair of ILA's Children's and Young Adult Book Awards committee—reflects on the state of modern picturebooks: buff.ly/cPMvHna

A quote by Sonja Ezell that reads “In today’s classroom, the most frequently read children’s picturebooks are approximately 25 years old. Contemporary children’s picturebooks have a crowd, a crown, and the complex, complicated need for a

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 10d

It's the final week of Literacy Month! 📚 To celebrate, we invite you to visit your local library or community reading space. Tag your favorite one below! Let's celebrate the vital role these places play in protecting the right to read.

Access all our free #ILD2025 resources:

Literacy Month 2025

Celebrate the power of reading all month long.

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 12d

The global teacher shortage is growing—and we still don’t have answers. How can we ensure every child has access to the educators they deserve? Read more in an op-ed for MSN: buff.ly/bQd8B8l

Young educators work together to solve a problem

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 13d

Want to get involved? We're rounding up all the latest opportunities at @ILAToday:
📌Sign up for a new webinar on October 14, at 5:00 p.m. ET: buff.ly/Bs4RHFt
📌Download our free #ILD2025 toolkit: buff.ly/1N8DnyK
📌Send ILA memories to [email protected] for our 70th anniversary celebration.

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 14d

In an article for Reading Research Quarterly, Manchester Metropolitan University Reader in Critical Applied Linguistics Ian Cushing follows the “word gap” across time, policy, and classrooms—exposing how deficit ideologies stigmatize families and constrain teachers: buff.ly/cXdttbR

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 15d

In honor of Together We Read week, we are reflecting on an article by Michigan State University doctoral student Amber Lawson and early literacy consultant Ashelin R. Currie about culturally relevant read-alouds: buff.ly/ad9rSTf

Learn more about our #ID2025 campaign: buff.ly/1N8DnyK

A quote that reads When students engage in social justice work that incorporates culturally relevant texts, they can simultaneously engage in instruction that recognizes their humanity, such as identifying the beauty, history, and magic behind the names of students who self-identify as Black, Brown, and People of Color.

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 16d

The JADE framework shows how literacy can be more than skills—it can build justice, dialogue, and student voice. 🗣️ Read the new Reading Research Quarterly open access article: buff.ly/cYTdNiM

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 17d

This week, we are inviting our community to take the Together We Read pledge: buff.ly/PuOElRL Commit to reading aloud one-on-one with each child in your care for at least 10 minutes every day this week. 📖

Download our Literacy Month Toolkit for more #ILD2025 activities: buff.ly/YIrMDxc

A graphic that reads read-alouds help learners of all ages grow as readers and thinkers. They promote language and literacy development, strengthen relationships, and foster a love of reading. This is a quote from the International Literacy Association.

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 19d

Need more read-aloud selections for your TBR list? 📚 Sonja Ezell, a teacher educator at Sam Houston State University, and Laurie Sharp, a senior associate provost at Utah Valley University, put together a book basket by subject.

Check out their list and share your own recommendations below!

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 20d

It's #MyBookVoice week!🎙️This Literacy Month, we're amplifying prompts that encourage young readers to share their stories and speak up through the books they love. With our free #ILD2025 activity calendar, you can join us in sparking joyful reading everywhere, every day: buff.ly/YIrMDxc

A graphic that reads Download our free Literacy Month Toolkit

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 21d

Want to make a bigger impact in your literacy instruction without overhauling your approach? On October 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET, NC State University Goodnight Distinguished Professor Devin Kearns will present practical, evidence-based strategies that can make a lasting impact on students: buff.ly/lxnFzQk

A banner that reads Small Changes, Big Results: Evidence-Based Strategies That Boost Literacy Success featuring Devin Kearns

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 22d

Picturebooks are more than early reading tools—they’re powerful resources for all learners. 📚 Sonja Ezell, a teacher educator at Sam Houston State University, highlights why it’s time to bring them back into the classroom: buff.ly/ZCmD4Wu

Read more about her work at @ILAToday: buff.ly/6Q8qBqU

Elementary school teacher reading a picturebook to students

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 23d

TikTok is shaping literacy debates.📱A new Reading Research Quarterly study shows how Science of Reading (SoR) videos spread simplified binaries, promote resources, and amplify personal stories—often framing SoR as the only “right” approach.

Read more: buff.ly/6jM5Dk5

#ILA #LiteracyResearch #EdTech

Two elementary-aged children sit together reading on the floor of a library

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 24d

Do you know a young reader who loves BookTok?🎙️This week for Literacy Month, we are inviting kids and teens to share short videos recommending a favorite read using #MyBookVoice.

Download our how-to guide and get involved in #ILD2025: buff.ly/YIrMDxc

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 27d

In a reflection for Literacy Today magazine, @ILAToday President Dana Robertson shares his thoughts on the rise of misinformation and the importance of teaching critical thinking. 💭

Read the full article: buff.ly/GflvRIp

Text that reads:

“It seems that the reading crisis we continually find ourselves part of may not actually be about what counts as the science of reading, but rather, the dire need for critical engagement with ideas.

While it is true that many students are not meeting established expectations for reading and writing, it is also true that most literacy instruction in schools is not focused on critical engagement with topics and ideas.”

—Dana Robertson, ILA President | Literacy Today

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 28d

AI is reshaping classrooms. But what happens when it enters literacy instruction? 💻

In a new article for @ILAToday, reading specialist Catherine Gibbons explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into teaching practice: buff.ly/WJLp5qe

A teacher instructs a young student using a tablet

International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · 29d

A new Reading Research Quarterly study shows how teachers in a Catholic school navigated censorship, racism, and community pushback. By tracing the “ghosts” of white Christian nationalism, the authors reveal the struggles and possibilities of equity-focused literacy work: buff.ly/y9IrBed

A screenshot of the comment section of a Catholic school superintendent who tweeted regarding voting for the election.

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International Literacy Association (ILA) @ilatoday.bsky.social · Sep 9

Just published by AASL and ALA Editions: "The School Librarian's Guide to (Almost) Everything," an essential new resource offering strategies, inspiration, and professional guidance for school librarians everywhere: buff.ly/lf4up4g

#SchoolLibraries #Librarians #Education #Books

The School Librarian's Guide to (Almost) Everything

Library funding is under threat. Find out how you can show up for libraries: ala.org/showup.

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