Digital Events

Teaching Talk: Partnering With Families to Boost Language Growth

Looking for ways to support young children’s language development beyond the classroom? In this engaging webinar, Tricia Zucker and Sonia Cabell will share easy-to-use strategies grounded in the “Strive for Five” framework—highlighting the power of back-and-forth conversations to boost language growth for students in grades Pre-K through 3.

Participants will learn how intentional talk helps to develop vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills in early learners, as well as how to build strong home–school connections and empower families with fun, everyday ways to keep the conversation going outside the classroom.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members | $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Held in partnership with LENA

 

Developing Decoding Skills in All Learners

What does it really mean to teach decoding? In this replayed session, Julia B. Lindsey unpacks how to teach decoding purposefully and systematically — from phonemic awareness to decoding of both single and multisyllabic words to meaningful application. Learn how to support all students in developing strong word-reading skills from simple to multisyllabic words. Attendees will walk away with strategies for effective whole- and small-group instruction, practical routines, and a range of tools for integrating decoding across the school day—all while centering the variety of students and needs in every classroom.

Lindsey will participate in a live Q&A following her recorded presentation.

Who should register: Classroom teachers, literacy/instructional coaches, reading/literacy specialists, literacy supervisors/coordinators, and instructional leads

Registration: FREE for members  |  $44.00 for nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Statewide Collaboration: Transitioning Teacher Prep to Align With Today’s Standards

With evolving literacy standards reshaping teacher preparation, aligning professional learning resources with local guidelines and requirements is more crucial than ever. Join Stephanie Grote-Garcia, Bethanie C. Pletcher, and Roberta D. Raymond as they discuss how ILA’s Texas affiliate, the Texas Association for Literacy Education (TALE), supported teacher education faculty across Texas in aligning their resources with new state literacy competencies. Attendees will learn about their alignment process and receive templates to help replicate collaborative efforts in their state or region.

Participants will gain

• An understanding of the role of TALE in facilitating collaboration among teacher education faculty across Texas
• Insights into aligning educational resources and materials with state literacy competencies and certification exams
• Access to templates and materials to use in their own educator preparation programs
• Guidance on how to implement similar collaborative initiatives in other states
• Knowledge of best practices and innovative approaches to educator preparation in the context of new literacy standards

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, preservice teachers, and researchers

Registration: FREE for members | $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Why Teaching Reading With Instructional Level Texts Isn’t Such a Good Idea After All

For more than 75 years, teachers have been told that the best way to teach reading is to assign students to texts at their supposed “instructional levels” rather than their grade level. This was thought to be best as it would both avoid texts that were too easy—and therefore wouldn’t support much learning—or too hard, which would frustrate and discourage students. However, a growing body of research shows that most students benefit from working with grade-level texts and that instructional-level texts can severely limit student progress. During this ILA Webinar, Timothy Shanahan will explore relevant research, pose an alternative theory to the instructional level idea, and demonstrate instructional approaches appropriate for successfully teaching with complex text.

Who should register: School-based educators, administrators, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: $29 for members | $69.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Sponsored in part by Clemson University

 

Five Ways to Liberate Your Writer’s Workshop

Empower your students by reimagining the writer’s workshop as a space of inclusion, empathy, and cultural celebration. In this engaging webinar, Kamania Wynter-Hoyte, Eliza Braden, and Michele Myers—the authors of Revolutionary Love: Creating a Culturally Inclusive Literacy Classroom—will share research-based strategies for districts, schools, and educators that affirm and celebrate students’ identities, cultures, and linguistic practices.

Attendees will also learn how to incorporate the use of diverse children’s books as mentor texts in the classroom—with the ultimate goal being for educators to liberate their literacy curriculum and promote more empathetic readers and writers.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members | $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Navigating the Application Process: Expert Tips for ILA Awards and Grants

Are you considering applying for one or more of ILA’s awards and grants? In this informative session, speakers will share their best advice on crafting strong applications that stand out from the crowd. Learn about key components that make a compelling application, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for effectively communicating your research or project goals. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a first-time applicant, this webinar is designed to enhance your chances of success.

Dennis Davis, associate professor at North Carolina State University and chair of the Timothy & Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award Committee, will be joined by cochairs of the ILA Grants Committee Jon M. Wargo, associate professor at the University of Michigan, and Cassie J. Brownell, associate professor at the University of Toronto. Their conversation, following an introduction from Carol Hryniuk-Adamov, recipient of the ILA 2024 Maryann Manning Special Service Award, will be facilitated by Katina Zammit, ILA Board member-at-large.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members | $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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From Research to Practice: Coaching for Literacy Change

In this webinar, K–8 educators will explore how research and resources from the International Literacy Association (ILA) spark meaningful changes in comprehensive literacy instruction. Kenneth Kunz, past president of the ILA Board of Directors, will share real-world examples from literacy coaching and teacher collaboration that highlight practical strategies for implementing evidence-based literacy instruction.

Participants will learn

• How ILA research informs effective literacy instruction and coaching practices
• Strategies for applying research-based insights in both individual classrooms and across school communities
• Approaches to collaboration among teachers and school leaders that enhance literacy development

Who should register: K–8 educators, literacy coaches, specialists, and administrators

Registration: FREE for members | $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Honoring Literacy Leaders: Meet the ILA 2024 Award Winners

Join us for an inspiring webinar as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of some of the ILA 2024 award winners—literacy professionals who exemplify our mission to bridge research and practice around the globe. Hosted by Cheron Davis, the session will delve into the award-winners’ unique insights on the literacy field and elaborate on the work that has earned them this year’s honors.

Our esteemed panel includes

• Patricia A. Edwards – William S. Gray Citation of Merit: Gain insights into her groundbreaking work on family literacy and how it can transform your students’ reading experiences.
• Gwynne Ellen Ash – Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award: Hear about her work in preparing future educators to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
• Barbara Wasik and Annemarie Hindman – Diane Lapp & James Flood Professional Collaborator Award: Learn about their collaborative research on early literacy intervention and how you can apply their findings to support young readers.

Attend this webinar to connect with leading voices in literacy education and get inspired to elevate your own teaching practice.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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The Role of SEL in Enhancing Literacy Development

At this ILA Webinar held in partnership with CASEL, participants will learn how fostering the full spectrum of students' cognitive, social, and emotional growth is made possible through connecting social-emotional learning (SEL) with literacy development. Join presenters Carol D. Lee and Alessandra E. Ward, authors of CASEL’s recent brief “The Role of SEL in Enhancing Literacy Development,” as they delve into this critical relationship, highlighting how the five core competencies of SEL—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making—overlap with the practices and processes that readers develop. In addition, neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang will present on the interconnectedness of cognitive, social, and emotional development, while Lakeisha Steele will share policy recommendations that promote literacy and SEL integration at both state and federal levels.

Participants will walk away with

• A deeper understanding of how SEL and literacy are intertwined, supported by insights from neuroscience, psychology, and education research
• Insight on how integrating social-emotional learning into classroom instruction and literacy instruction is essential, rather than treating it as a separate, end-of-day activity
• Policy insights to help advocate for stronger SEL and literacy development programs at every level of education

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Held in Partnership With CASEL

 

From Facts to Fascination: Using Nonfiction to Drive Curriculum and Enthusiasm

Current research shows that young readers love nonfiction. More important, nonfiction can hook them on reading; a growing body of research indicates the younger the child, the greater their preference for nonfiction. Yet many educators struggle to find new, engaging nonfiction from diverse writers and connect it to their curriculum. This ILA Webinar with authors Patricia Newman and Kirsten W. Larson will enrich educators’ knowledge of nonfiction styles and demonstrate how best to incorporate the genre into standards-driven writing and content area instruction.

Participants will

• Understand the two writing styles used in nonfiction
• Learn how to classify nonfiction books into five categories (traditional, browsable, narrative, active, and expository) and connect them with curriculum needs
• Identify various voices, literary devices, and craft strategies used in nonfiction titles that will assist in reading fluency and writing instruction
• Explore various ways teachers can pair nonfiction titles to teach content area curriculum
• Learn ways to discover new, high-quality nonfiction and share it in the classroom

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE FOR MEMBERS  |  $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

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Literacy Strategies for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

To support elementary students who are deaf and hard of hearing, it is vital to provide an equitable literacy learning environment that enhances their communication skills, academic achievement, and social inclusion. In this ILA Webinar, Crystal Cook and Dequita Crockett will share effective literacy strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of these students. Participants will gain valuable insights into techniques that can be implemented, both in the classroom and home environments, to empower educators and families in positioning deaf and hard of hearing students for long-term success and independence.

Key topics covered

• Techniques for creating an inclusive learning environment for deaf and hard of hearing students
• Innovative classroom strategies for promoting reading and writing skills
• Collaborative approaches to support literacy at home

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

For registrants who would like access to the video recording including ASL interpretation, please contact ILA Customer Service.

Registration: FREE FOR MEMBERS | $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

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Promoting Understanding With International Literature

In today’s interconnected world, exposing students to diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences is paramount. This free ILA Webinar, held in partnership with the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), will highlight international children’s and young adult literature that can accomplish this goal by offering rich cultural insights and powerful narratives from around the world. David Bowles (author of Ancient Night) and Boris Dralyuk (translator of Who Will Make the Snow)—whose books were named to USBBY’s 2024 Outstanding International Book List—will discuss their creative processes and the opportunities international literature presents to build cross-cultural understanding.

Participants will gain insight into

• Innovative ways to integrate titles from the USBBY Outstanding International Books List in the classroom
• Approaches for facilitating meaningful discussions that encourage students to critically engage with themes, characters, and settings from diverse cultural backgrounds
• The art of translation and its role in making international literature accessible to students
• How exposure to international literature can cultivate empathy, foster cross-cultural understanding, and empower students to become empathetic global citizens
• Publishers’ perspectives on promoting international books for children and young adults

BONUS: At the conclusion of this webinar, the winners of the ILA 2024 Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards will be revealed by project chair Sonja Ezell.

Who should register: School-based educators, librarians/media specialists, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Caregiver Collaborations: Weaving Home and School With Care

Authentic family partnerships not only foster collaborative environments but also enhance students’ literacy development and overall well-being. In this ILA Webinar, Nawal Qarooni will draw from her extensive research and personal experience as a parent of four multiethnic children to guide participants in understanding a collective care framework that can grow community and connections with students and their families. The session will offer practical ideas for building partnerships, exploring traditions, and enhancing literacy development, which will empower educators to strengthen connections and create a supportive environment where all students can thrive.

Participants will

• Develop the understanding that what constitutes family and engagement affects our communication methods with the students in our care
• Explore the multitude of ways that all families grow their children's literacy lives—through authentic traditions and rituals—and think through their responsibilities as teachers and leaders of literacy
• Delve into how classroom teaching of English language arts sparks and extends curiosity into students’ home lives, unearthing a deep appreciation for the rich nuance of the human experience
• Discuss where the family intersects with curricular work, and how we can communicate best with families about how to strengthen and continue their rich literacy legacies

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members  |  $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Navigating New Realms: Generative AI and Literacy Education

How is AI changing the way we teach and learn? In this interactive webinar, speakers Ian O’Byrne, Raúl Alberto Mora, and Peggy Semingson will focus on the applications for—and implications of—bringing generative AI and the tools it powers, such as ChatGPT, into schools and classrooms. Participants will gain the knowledge needed to effectively incorporate generative AI into literacy instruction that cultivates creativity and critical thinking.

Takeaways include

• An understanding of the fundamental concepts underpinning generative AI, including AI, machine learning, and generative models
• Deeper knowledge of AI’s implications for literacy instruction, for both teachers and students, including the fine line between its helpful applications and potential pitfalls
• Ideas for adapting pedagogy, including multimodal approaches, to seamlessly incorporate AI into teaching practice

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members  |  $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Read-Alouds for All Learners

Learn the step-by-step instructional plan for teachers to implement read-alouds in pre-K–8 classrooms. Whether you’re a longtime professional or new to teaching, this ILA webinar with Molly Ness will help you support young learners emotionally, intellectually, linguistically, and developmentally.

Takeaways include

• Understand the role of read-alouds in the science of reading
• Develop an understanding of the three-step planning process for a read-aloud
• See current read-aloud research and trends among elementary and middle school teachers
• Gain tips targeted for each age group’s social-emotional learning and cognition
• Capture the importance of read-alouds in all content areas

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members  |  $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Sponsored in part by Solution Tree

 

The Reading Brain: Building Students' Reading Muscles in the Digital Age

The digital age has changed the types of text that both students and teachers encounter as well as how they interact with them. In this ILA Webinar, Gilda De La Cruz and Carol Jago will explore insights from neuroscience about the reading brain, particularly the ways in which technology has affected deep reading. Participants will learn methods for helping young readers pay closer attention to what they read—strategies that will not only improve background knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension but also foster positive lifelong learning and reading habits.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members | $44.00 for nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia

In this ILA Webinar, Kelli Sandman-Hurley will guide participants through two reading simulations and two writing simulations that will offer insight into the challenges students with dyslexia face—including the social and emotional impact dyslexia can have on students every day. Participants will gain a greater understanding about what dyslexia is and is not, deepen their empathy and expertise, and learn more about effective accommodations that are necessary for many students' growth.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE for members  |  $44.00 nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Sponsored by Dyslexia Training Institute

 

Caregivers as Coaches: Partnering With Families to Promote Language Growth at Home

Discover how families and caregivers can play a vital role in their children's language growth while honoring their cultural heritage in this ILA Webinar with Mai Zaru. Zaru, the recipient of ILA’s 2023 Jeanne S. Chall Research Fellowship, will explore how the peer-assisted reading strategy can be used to promote multilingual learning experiences and foster stronger family connections. Participants will gain tools and knowledge to help connect with families and support children's language skills while valuing their diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Takeaways:

• Learn routines and practices that families can implement to boost their children's literacy development.
• Become familiar with the relatively new domain of translanguaging practices that take place within the home setting.
• Learn about tools for caregivers and educators to support language growth in students from diverse linguistic backgrounds and nationalities.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, preservice teachers, and caregivers

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Executive Functions: Foundations for Self-Regulated Reading

Executive functions are self-regulatory thinking skills that help students manage their thoughts, emotions, and actions. These essential albeit often invisible skills play such a critical role in reading that when students have weak or disordered executive functions, it becomes patently obvious in the classroom.

In this ILA Webinar replay, Kelly B. Cartwright explores how deficits in executive functions can have a direct impact on word reading and comprehension. Takeaways include

• Basic information about executive functions and how they support self-regulated reading
• Insights on how strengthening reading-related executive function processes improves reading achievement
• Use-them-tomorrow instructional ideas and strategies for assessing and supporting students’ executive functions in the literacy classroom

Cartwright will participate in a live Q&A following her recorded presentation.

Who should register: Classroom teachers, reading specialists, and literacy coaches—as well as any educator who has ever wondered why some students who seem to have skills in phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, and vocabulary struggle with putting these things together in reading

Registration: FREE FOR MEMBERS  |  $44.00 for nonmembers (includes annual membership)

Special pricing is available for groups of 5+, students, and individuals in countries with developing economies. Contact customerservice@reading.org for details.

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Adding Encoding to Phonics Lessons

Incorporating daily spelling practice within phonics lessons enhances students’ understanding of the intricate relationships between sounds and letters—which enriches their phonemic awareness, decoding abilities, vocabulary, writing skills, and overall language proficiency. In this session, Wiley Blevins will lead attendees through multiple ways to add and differentiate spelling during their phonics lessons, including dictation, word building, word sorts, and writing about decodable texts. Participants will learn strategies to help build a comprehensive approach to literacy and language development that will promote deeper understanding and engagement in their classroom.

Who should register: Classroom teachers, literacy/instructional coaches, reading/literacy specialists, literacy supervisors/coordinators, instructional leads, teacher educators, and principals

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Sponsored in part by Sadlier School

 

Dyslexia: What We Know and What We Want to Know

Join us for a free webinar focusing on key questions literacy educators have about dyslexia—and which instructional supports research tells us are most effective. Dana A. Robertson, chair of the ILA Research Committee, will lead a discussion featuring Young-Suk Kim, Dominic Wyse, and Danielle Dennis.

Who should register: School-based educators, principals, teacher educators, and preservice teachers

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Thank You to Our Event Supporter

    

Reading Assessments That Promote Equitable Learning

Not all assessments are created equal. However, when formative assessments that focus on teacher and student engagement and high-quality reading instruction are prioritized, the process can be both humanizing and empowering. Join Laurie Elish-Piper, Mona W. Matthews, and Victoria J. Risko as they explore reading assessments created with an equity mind-set, making visible teachers’ decision-making and students’ strengths and needs. They will share samples of assessments that can be embedded in daily and authentic learning activities—assessments that account for the complexity of reading while also capturing students’ identities, cultural histories, knowledge, and lived experiences.

Registration: FREE FOR MEMBERS

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New Voices in Children’s and YA Lit: Meet the 2023 ILA Award-Winning Authors

ILA’s Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards shine a spotlight on emerging authors who display unusual promise with their first or second publication. At this webinar, emceed by book awards chair Sonja Ezell, age-level subcommittee leads Miriam Martinez, Margaret Osgood Opatz, and Thu Anh Nguyen will sit down with some of this year’s winners for a robust discussion about their books’ contemporary relevance and universal themes, the importance of authentic and engaging texts, and the power that high-quality, diverse children’s literature holds to open our minds to the past, present, and future.

Who should register: Classroom teachers, literacy/instructional coaches, librarians, reading/literacy specialists, literacy supervisors/coordinators, and instructional leads

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Thank You to Our Event Supporters

 


 

Choosing Your Favorites: New Reader-Selected Books for Your Collections

In 2020, amid the global pandemic, the International Literacy Association (ILA) suspended production of the popular reader-selected Choices book lists. Three years later, the Children’s Book Council (CBC), our longtime Choices cosponsor, gave the project new life—and a new name.

In this webinar, meet some popular authors featured on the CBC’s inaugural Favorites Lists, as well as hear from CBC Executive Director Carl Lennertz on this fresh take on the classic (and beloved) resource. As an added bonus, the winners of the 2023 ILA Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards will be revealed by project chair Sonja Ezell.

Get ready—your to-be-read pile is about to get a whole lot taller!

Who should register: Classroom teachers, literacy/instructional coaches, librarians, reading/literacy specialists, literacy supervisors/coordinators, and instructional leads

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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Thank You to Our Event Supporters

 

 

 

Using Literature to Promote Understanding, Empathy, and Global Citizenship

Literature has the power to open minds to new worlds, new understandings, and new possibilities. This free ILA Webinar, held in partnership with the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), explores ways to leverage high-quality, global literature for powerful learning opportunities. Mónica Montañés (author of Different), Mari Kanstad Johnsen (illustrator of Bedtime for Bo), Paloma Valdivia (illustrator of Book of Questions) and Sara Lissa Paulson (translator of Book of Questions), whose books were named to USBBY’s 2023 Outstanding International Books List, will be on hand to discuss their work and how engaging young readers in world literature can help them become active global citizens.

Registration: FREE FOR EVERYONE

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The Impact and Influence of ILA National Recognition

Attracting teacher candidates in this competitive climate requires preparation programs to demonstrate both excellence and value. At this free webinar, learn how earning ILA National Recognition can do both—and help your program stand out from its competitors.

Hosted by J. Helen Perkins, chair of the ILA National Recognition Commission, the event will feature representatives from schools that have been successful in earning this achievement, as well as Diane Kern, cochair of the ILA Standards Revision Committee and a key architect of the ILA National Recognition Program.

Speakers will address

• The benefits of earning ILA National Recognition
• What it’s like to go through the process
• How to determine if ILA National Recognition is right for your school
• Ways to become a program reviewer

Participants interested in becoming a volunteer reviewer for the ILA National Recognition program will be invited to join breakout discussions to ask questions and get more in-depth information.

Who should register: Higher education faculty/coordinators interested in strengthening or expanding their specialized literacy professional or elementary teacher preparation programs; potential volunteer reviewers.

Has your program already earned ILA National Recognition or is it in the process of earning the seal of approval? This event is for you as well. Indicate your level of participation during the registration process, as well as any interest you have in networking with other recipients/current candidates.

Registration: FREE

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