Contents
LITERACY TODAY
Volume 33, Issue 5
March/April 2016
EDITORIAL STAFF
Managing Editor Colleen Patrice Clark
Interns Alexandra Baruch & Nicole Lund
ILA LEADERSHIP
Executive Director Marcie Craig Post
Associate Executive Director Stephen Sye
2015–2016 BOARD MEMBERS
Diane Barone, University of Nevada, Reno,
President; William H. Teale, University of Illinois
at Chicago, Vice President; Gwynne Ellen Ash,
Texas State University; Donald Bear, Iowa State
University; Julie Coiro, University of Rhode
Island; Catherine E. Collier, Chesapeake Public
Schools, Virginia; Lori DiGisi, Framingham
Public Schools, Massachusetts; Bernadette
Dwyer, St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra,
Dublin City University, Ireland; Laurie A.
Elish-Piper, Northern Illinois University; Rachel
A. Karchmer-Klein, University of Delaware;
Julianne Scullen, Anoka-Hennepin School
District, Minnesota
ADVERTISING
For information, contact Megan Ferguson at
800-336-7323 ext. 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.
org. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Literacy Today, PO Box 8139, Newark,
DE 19714-8139, USA. CANADIAN GST:
Registration number R-129785523.
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40033039.
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses
to PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek,
Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 4R6.
CONTACT US
CUSTOMER SERVICE
800-336-7323
customerservice@reading.org
EDITORIAL
800-336-7323 ext. 446
literacytoday@reading.org
Write to Literacy Today, PO Box 8139, Newark,
DE 19714-8139, USA.
MAILING LIST RENTALS
ILA rents mailing lists only to groups approved
by the Association. Members can have
their names removed from lists rented by
writing to ILA Customer Service or e-mailing
customerservice@reading.org.
© International Literacy Association
16
2
EDITOR’S NOTE
4
LIT BITS
6
OUR VIEW
LITERACY LEADERSHIP
8
The Top Digital Tools to Incorporate in Teacher
Education
10
In Search of Digital Equity for Today’s Learners
12
Becoming Bett er Teachers By Making Learning Visible
ILA 2016 CONFERENCE COVERAGE
16
What’s New: A Quick View of New Additions in Boston
18
Turning the Tables: Interviews With Our Literature Luncheon Speakers
22
Newbery Medal Winner Kwame Alexander’s Message of Empowerment
26
An Intimate Look Into the Literary Life of Laurie Halse Anderson
30
Adora Svitak on Coming of Age in a Digital World
34
Boston Bound: The Top Restaurants and Activities to Pack Into Your
ILA16 Weekend
THE ENGAGING CLASSROOM
40
How Our Adolescents Can Serve as Literacy Leaders
42
Using Digital Texts and Anchor Charts to Transform Literacy Education
44
How Interactive Writing Promotes Collaboration, Community, and the
Craft Itself
46
Increasing Strength and Confi dence Through Complex Text
THE ILA NETWORK
48
Using Storytelling to Reach Children and Parents
50
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Join Us for
ILA 2016!