June is Pride Month

June not only marks the end of the school year, but it also marks the annual celebration of Pride Month–a month-long celebration of the contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+) people. In the Learning for Justice LGBTQ Best Practices Guide, authors say, "Teachers send a powerful message with the resources they choose. Students undoubtedly perceive highlighted texts as representations of what is valued and celebrated in our culture. Omission sends an equally loud message. Including the voices of LGBTQ people supports students’ abilities to affirm their identities and cultivates empathy for those experiences that differ from their own." Section III of the guide is focused on instruction and asks the critical questions of whose voices are represented in the texts used in the classroom, and whose voices are missing? 

In 2021, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) published a position statement on Guidelines for Affirming Gender Diversity through ELA Curriculum and Pedagogy. In it, the authors share, "People with all kinds of gender identities are already in language arts classrooms, whether as teachers, family members, or students themselves. Seeing ourselves in stories and other texts is a powerful human need. Being able to say 'Look, there I am!' feels good. It helps us know that who we are is recognized and validated and that we are not alone. It also sends the message that people like us belong in books, a concrete demonstration that literacy is 'for' us. Not seeing ourselves can send the message that there’s no place in that world for us, leaving us feeling strange, isolated, and vulnerable. Not seeing ourselves in books also further reifies the idea that there is something wrong with how we choose to identify" (2021). NCTE also has shared several resources for celebrating Pride Month.

Providing access to windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors helps students situate themselves in the world. Good Reads has published a 2024 Pride Reading List that has 72 titles, and Family Equality has shared a list of books for elementary students. Free to the People has developed a list of books for middle grade students, too.

Happy Reading!

New and Noteworthy

NEW: K-5 Newsletter

The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is launching a new quarterly newsletter for K-5 educators. This newsletter provides resources, opportunities, guidance, and ODE updates tailored specifically to support the integrated and well-rounded instruction that elementary education entails. It aims to streamline information related to K-5 academic standards and instruction into one convenient communication. 

To sign up for the newsletter, click here

ODE Announcements

Division 22 Standards Professional Learning Series: Connect, Reflect & Collaborate

With the goal of supporting district leaders in implementing specific standards and new requirements within Division 22, ODE is launching a Division 22 Standards professional learning series. The first virtual meeting will be held on June 25th from 9:30 -11 am PT, with a focus on the following topics:

• How to track and manage compliance with all the standards - panel discussion in breakouts based on district size

• Resources for implementing Senate Bill 3 (Personal Financial Education & Higher Education and Career Path Skills)

• Reflection & Sharing: Implementation of PE Requirements

Please register via zoom to get the meeting  link and add the session to your calendar. Questions? Contact Susan Payne, ODE’s Education Standards and Systems Specialist.

Reimagining Oregon’s Accountability System Survey Opportunity

Earlier this month, you may have received an email (see below) from Dr. Williams ringing the bell for reimagining Oregon’s accountability system. As part of that work, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is interested in engaging with people across the state to hear their thoughts regarding Oregon's education system and the role that accountability can play in providing an excellent education to all students. We are reaching out to ask you to complete – and share widely among your networks –  a survey on these topics to ensure that we have a broad swath of the state represented. You can also reach the survey through the webpage on Reimagining Oregon’s Accountability System on ODE’s website. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, June 7th.

Feedback Opportunity for OSU College of Education

Oregon State University’s (OSU) College of Education is considering developing a reading endorsement program and would like to hear your thoughts about how such a program might respond to reading/literacy needs in your context, and what program features would be most important to you and your colleagues. 

Please consider completing their 5-minute survey: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1GsfYlsLQAvmA6y

Your input is critical to this planning, and we thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us! 

**Please also forward this message widely to colleagues who might be interested in this topic and sharing their ideas with us.

Research and Resources for Your Classroom

From ORTIi News & Updates: Amplify: The Science of Reading Podcast: Cognitive load theory: Four items at a time 

Greg Ashman, an accomplished author, deputy principal, and professor, shares his understanding of cognitive load theory and its relevance to effective teaching in the classroom. He delves into key aspects of cognitive load theory, such as working memory and long-term memory, intrinsic and extraneous load, and the distinction between biologically primary and secondary knowledge. Ashman shares practical insights on how educators can apply these concepts to optimize learning experiences for students. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of evidence-based teaching practices, offering valuable advice to listeners on ensuring the effectiveness of their instructional methods.

Click here to listen: Session 8 Episode 11

AI Resources on Oregon Open Learning Oregon was the first state to issue guidance on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12 Classrooms and AI integration into school districts continues to create both challenges and opportunities. The Oregon Open Learning (OOL) Hub has recently created an Artificial Intelligence (AI) group with a variety of resources which include Courses, Ethics, Lesson Plans, Professional Development, and State Guidance. AI is rapidly evolving, and the AI group is a place to access, adapt, and share open educational resources.

Accessibility Tip

Talking Book and Braille Library

Did you know that any student in Oregon who has a print disability can have access to Talking Books at the State Library of Oregon? That means any "person [who] cannot read standard-size 12pt print for long periods of time comfortably. Eligibility for our library includes legal blindness or other visual impairment, physical impairments, or reading impairments like dyslexia or dysphasia. To register a student with our library, just download a copy of our application using the link below and submit the completed application once it has been signed by a certifying authority. We do not require any additional paperwork. Applications can be submitted by mail, fax, or email. Visit our registration page for more information." You can find out more information on the State Library of Oregon's Talking Books webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/library/print-disabilities/pages/default.aspx

Library Corner

Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS) is Celebrating 25 Years!  OSLIS: Celebrating 25 Years of Research Help & Resources for Students 2024 is the 25th anniversary of OSLIS! Much has changed during that time span, but the core of what OSLIS provides remains the same: resources to guide students through the research process (elementary, secondary); periodicals databases with articles, images, and multimedia content from trusted sources for student use and classroom instruction (elem, sec); and Citation Maker, a tool that simplifies citing sources in APA or MLA format (elem, sec). Want a tip on where to start? The Learn to Research video tutorials are popular with educators around the country (elem, sec)! Celebrate this anniversary milestone by utilizing and sharing about this free reliable resource. To learn more, review the handouts about OSLIS and the Gale databases, reach out to your school library staff, or contact Jen Maurer, School Library Consultant at the State Library of Oregon.

Congratulations to the 2024 Oregon Reader’s Choice Winners (ORCA)! The ORCA Committee is excited to announce the 2025 nominees in all three grade level divisions.  2024-25 ORCA Nominees All Divisions (1).pdf ORCA 2025 Nominees for Grades 3-5 A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser Freddy vs. the Family Curse by Tracy Badua Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd The Last Hope in Hopetown by Maria Tureaud Miss Quinces by Kat Farjardo The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliot A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga ORCA 2025 Nominees for Grades 6-8 Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants by Monique Gray Smith The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed The Patron Thief of Bread by Lindsay Eagar Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf Tales of a Seventh Grade Lizard Boy by Jonathan Hill  ORCA 2025 Nominees for Grades 9-12 The Honeys by Ryan La Sala All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas Squire by Nadia Shammas We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith Thank you for supporting the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award!  Please follow us on @orca.award on Instagram. Questions, or interested in joining next year’s committee as a reader?  Find information on the ORCA site or please reach out to the ORCA Committee at orca@olaweb.org .

Oregon Association of School Libraries Fall Conference Registration is Now Open! The Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) 2024 Fall Conference is in Portland, Oregon, on October 5th. The conference theme #BetterTogether offers attendees a chance to enrich their professional lives while engaging with fantastic local presenters, state leaders in the field of school libraries, and award-winning authors. OASL thrilled to welcome a fantastic panel of talent to this year’s conference.  Author Phil Bildner will be our keynote speaker and join author Dashka Slater and cartoonist Breena Bard for a breakfast panel and session presentations. Additionally, we have a full schedule of sessions that address the breadth of our work in school libraries and focus on best practice, program implementation, innovation in technology, and staff development.   Your 2024 conference committee is looking forward to October and know that you will leave the conference inspired by all the ways our school library community works #BetterTogether! OASL 2024 Fall Conference Website OASL Registration, Vendor Interest, and Scholarship Information Please email Paige Battle at pbattle@pps.net with questions.

Opportunities for Educators

Call for Proposals for Oregon Council of Teachers of English / Oregon State Literacy Association Joint Fall Conference

The Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE) and the Oregon State Literacy Association (OSLA) are pleased to announce their collaborative event scheduled for the fall. This promises to be an outstanding conference, especially because of professionals like you who generously share their experience with others. 

Educators are encouraged to submit a proposal for a concurrent session. Plan for a 45-minute interactive presentation. 

Please consider the theme Igniting Curiosity & Cultivating Literacy for All when framing your proposal. Link to Proposal Submission

Of particular interest are the following topics: 

- multilingual learners 

- multimodal learning 

- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and instruction (as an instructional partner)

- Science of Reading

- effective assessment 

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: Monday, June 10, 2024

Questions? Please reach out to Conference Chair Bob Bizjak: bob.bizjak@octe.org

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities

• Teaching for Equity and Justice Summer Institute

Tuesday, June 25-Thursday, June 27, 2024, Online | Certificate of Completion

• Neurodiversity Affirming Frameworks: Disruption of Ableism in Identification and Intervention

Tuesday, August 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Online  |   3 PDUs

• Antiracist and Culturally Responsive Facilitation for Youth-Serving Educators and Practitioners

Thursday, August 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Online  |  2 PDUs

Opportunities for Students

Write the World Writing Competitions for Students

Write the World helps “students develop the writing skills they need to succeed and make an impact” on their world. There are seven writing competitions currently available.

Click Here for Recurring Features

Contact Us

If you have ideas for the newsletter or want to contact the ODE Language Arts and Literacy specialists, please reach out:

Tina Roberts -- Language Arts Education Specialist

Tony Bertrand -- English Language Arts / Social Sciences Assessment Specialist

Sody Fearn -- K-2 Balanced Assessment Specialist

Sarah Thorud -- Early Language and Literacy Intervention Specialist

Mindi Helmandollar-Armatas -- PreK-3rd Grade Coordinator

Jennifer Fontana -- Multilingual and Migrant Education Specialist

Martha Sanstead -- Literacy Specialist