Contents
LITERACY TODAY
Volume 36, Issue 5
March/April 2019
EDITORIAL STAFF
Managing Editor Colleen Patrice Clark
Editors Christina Lambert & Alina O’Donnell
Intern Bailee Formon
ILA LEADERSHIP
Executive Director Marcie Craig Post
2018–2019 BOARD MEMBERS
Bernadette Dwyer, Dublin City University,
President; Kathy N. Headley, Clemson
University, Vice President; Douglas Fisher,
San Diego State University, Immediate Past
President; Juli-Anne Benjamin, Marion P.
Thomas Charter School; Wendy Carss,
University of Waikato; Beverley E. Harris,
Mico University College, University of the
West Indies; Kenneth Kunz, Middlesex Public
Schools; Stephanie Laird, Southeast Polk
Community School District; Susan Paasch,
Sauk Rapids Public School District; Stephen
Peters, Laurens County School District 55; Julia
Reynolds, Allendale Public Schools; Jennifer
Williams, Calliope Global Education Initiatives
ADVERTISING
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800.336.7323 x 417 or advertising@reading
.org. Acceptance of advertising does not imply
endorsement.
ABOUT US
Literacy Today is the bimonthly membership
magazine of the International Literacy
Association, a nonprofi t that strives to
empower educators, inspire students, and
encourage teachers with the resources they
need to make literacy accessible for all.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Literacy Today (ISSN 2411-7862, Print; 2411-
7900, Online) is included in the cost of ILA
membership. To join, visit literacyworldwide
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CONTACT US
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© International Literacy Association
2
EDITOR’S NOTE
4
LIT BITS
6
ILA UPDATE
LITERACY LEADERSHIP
8
Steps to Bringing Family Literacy Practices Into
the Classroom
10
Fostering Relationships With the Families of Bilingual Learners
12
Family Involvement in Reading: What the Parents and Caregivers Think
FEATURES
16
Family Matt ers: Making Family Engagement a Cornerstone of
Literacy Education
20
Connecting With Community: The Real-World Lessons That Come From
Breaking Down Classroom Walls
24
Activating Families and Communities to Support ILA’s Children’s Rights
to Read Campaign
THE ENGAGING CLASSROOM
26
The Value of Arts Integration With English Learners
28
On Engagement and Empathy: Gett ing to the Heart of Learning
30
Using Self-Directed Inquiry to Spark Interest and Promote
Research Skills
32
Affi rming Individuality and Identity Through Picture Books
and Storytelling
THE ILA NETWORK
34
How Tampa’s Explorers Club Partners With Cultural Venues for Powerful
Pre-K Family Adventures
38
Access to Literacy: An Inalienable Right to Quality Education in Haiti
40
EVENTS
42
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
16