NJ Literacy Association (NJLA)
Summer 2020 Newsletter
President's Message

It's hard to believe that this newsletter shares ideas and best practices around literacy amidst the start of a school year that feels unparalleled. Ever-evolving plans to start the 2020-2021 school year are beginning to overshadow what seems like a flash in our memory to switches to emergency remote instruction now months in our past. During that time, NJ Literacy Association was proud to live our mission of empowering educators and inspiring students by making literacy accessible to all and saw teachers across our state do the unthinkable on behalf of readers and writers. You all truly represent what it means to be #literacystrong and you continue to be just that.

As a reminder, our NJLA YouTube Page still remains an active site for anyone to see our archived read-alouds and mini-lessons. Our Board will continue to inform you as we add more resources and unveil new projects. There is plenty coming down the pike!

This newsletter includes a variety of resources, including some literacy resources from the past along with new ideas to support your literacy instruction in the near future. We know that these times have created a lot of uncertainties, but I know there have been sparks of amazing joy created for readers and writers in New Jersey on behalf of our network of almost 10,000 members. Read on to get connected to many of them! On behalf of NJLA, we wish you a healthy and productive school year and hope you lean on us for any resources you need and remember to take care of yourself!

Dr. Kenneth Kunz
NJLA President

Upcoming NJLA Event: Join us on Thursday, August 27th!

Click on the flyer below to learn more!
Podcasts about Literacy Learning

Check out the latest podcasts with Timmy Bauer from the Books for Kids Apple Podcast. NJLA members discuss all things literacy! Click here to listen!
NJLA Board Members Publish
"Bienvenidos Book Club!"

Through a partnership with AKJ Education, NJLA's Board Members have published the "Bienvenidos Book Club" to create windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for K-3 immigrant students and their families. Click on the image of the book collection to learn more about the lesson plan guide and project!
Launch Into Literacy: FREE Lessons for Heading Back to School

Through the CARES Act and funding through For the Love of Literacy, LLC., the NJLA network has created FREE and comprehensive K-5 lesson plans (fiction and informational) to launch teachers into a successful school year. A downloadable lesson guide along with resources for virtual learning can be found here. You definitely don't want to miss out on these amazing mentor texts paired with lessons that can be adapted for in-person, virtual, or hybrid models of instruction.
A Favorite Digital Resource

Members of the NJLA network are increasingly excited about Literably, a digital tool that can be used to remotely assess and diagnose the literacy needs of readers. If you haven't learned about this tool, it was successfully used in pilots across districts in New Jersey this summer and assisted future educators enrolled in the Monmouth University 2020 Digital Literacy Summer Camp! Click on the logo to learn more about this resource.






NJLA Board Members Publish a New Book for Teachers!

Learn more about it here!




Advocating for Equity in Our Schools

This summer, the NJLA Board engaged in a virtual book club discussion around literacy and equity through the lens of anti-racist teaching. Click here to read NJLA's Statement on Justice and Equality, written in solidarity with the International Literacy Association.
West Jersey Reading Council Events

Click on the logo to check out what's going on!
What are you currently working on to advocate for readers and writers in NJ?

We'd love to hear from you!

EMAIL US at: njliteracy@gmail.com
www.njliteracy.org