Coming Soon: Adolescent Literacy Framework–February 25!
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with WestEd, will be releasing the Adolescent Literacy Framework on February 25, 2025. This document will serve as a guide to support literacy instruction across the disciplines in grades 6-12. The new framework will be housed on the Adolescent Literacy Framework page on ODE’s website.
Literacy Leaders’ Network Meeting: March 13 – Save the Date!
Our Mission: To build a literate society of readers, writers, thinkers, and listeners
Purpose: The goal of the Oregon Literacy Leaders’ Network (LLN) is to build a diverse community of language arts and literacy practitioners working together to share inclusive literacy practices–reading, writing, speaking, and listening–that align with the needs of all students (i.e. multilingual learners, students experiencing disabilities, etc.).
Who we are: Collectively, we are individuals who support literacy development for students.
When do we meet?
- Meet virtually every Second Thursday on Zoom, from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
What to Expect in Monthly Meetings:
- Meet and connect with other literacy practitioners from across Oregon
- Share a “Bulletin Board” of opportunities
- Collaborate through self-selected breakout rooms to go deeper on topics of interest
- Read, write, and think about language arts and literacy together, occasional featured speakers
- Highlight high-leverage instructional practices
Link to Professional Learning Goals:
- Tie your attendance and participation in the LLN to your professional learning goals, particularly for goals 9 & 10, with local administrator approval.
- Receive professional learning and build a professional network during LLN meetings.
- Earn PDUs for your attendance and participation in the LLN.
Meeting Facilitation: Co-hosted by Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE), Oregon State Literacy Association (OSLA), Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) and the Oregon Department of Education Language Arts, Literacy, Assessment, and Multilingual and Migrant Education teams, Office of Indian Education, and WestEd.
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
When the Science of Learning Meets the Science of Reading: A Multilingual Approach to Structured Literacy
 Register Here for Access
Literacy Talks
 Season 6, Episode 16 Season 3, Episode 1
Women's History Month Resources to Support Your Work with Students
Women’s History Month is coming up in March. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
The great Maya Angelou said, "How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" In order to celebrate she-roes this month, here are some resources to support your work with students:
National Reading Month Resources to Support Your Work with Students
March is also National Reading Month! Occurring annually, from March 1-31, National Reading Month is set aside to celebrate the joys of literacy. Also known as Read Across America, the month-long celebration was started by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998. Many Read Across America festivities include honoring diverse authors and book genres, like those recommended by NEA.
American Association of School Libraries and Booklist Webinar: Manga Goes to School
The American Association of School Libraries (AASL) and Booklist co-sponsored a webinar that took place last November called, “Manga Goes to School: Incorporating Manga Into Your Curriculum, Collection, & School Community.” The webinar is on-demand and coordinates with the Manga Goes to School book, which you can borrow from the State Library’s Library Information Science (LIS) Collection.
Supporting Multilingual Learners by Enhancing Core Instruction
You are invited to the following complimentary event for Oregon and Washington educators.
Monday, March 3rd, 4:00 - 5:15 pm via Zoom
Join Oregon educator, Dr. Katie Toppel, for an engaging session on how the SIOP Model can enhance instruction for multilingual learners.
In this engaging session, participants will:
- Learn how to make grade level content accessible while simultaneously fostering language development
- Gain valuable ideas for ongoing professional development to support multilingual learners
Audience: K-12 educators supporting multilingual learners in all classroom settings
Dr. Katie Toppel is a Multilingual Learner Support Specialist in the Tigard-Tualatin School District who supports students through co-planning, co-teaching, and small group instruction. She is the co-author of Making Content Comprehensible for Multilingual Learners: The SIOP Model, 6th edition.
Register for this event hosted by the Multnomah ESD and Savvas Learning Company (Not a sales presentation)
> This session will be recorded and sent to all who register.
Boosting Reading Comprehension by Building and Using Prior Knowledge
Author Kelly Gallagher is considered one of the leading voices in adolescent literacy education, an author of nine books, and a veteran high school teacher in California.
The Multnomah ESD is proud to host Kelly for the following complimentary virtual event:
Boosting Reading Comprehension by Building and Using Prior Knowledge.
In the age of click-and-go reading, why do students need to know information when they can just look things up?
Bestselling author Kelly Gallagher argues that to think critically, it's imperative that we teach kids stuff. Lots of it. Why? Because students who know more are able to read more, and read better. Building readers starts with building their knowledge.
In this engaging session, participants will learn how building knowledge:
- helps students overcome word poverty
- helps students read chapters and articles - an important skill in our digital age
- helps move students away from fake reading and back to reading full-length books
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 4:15 - 5:30 pm via Zoom
Audience: All grades 6-12 educators in Oregon and Washington
REGISTER via PD Networks
* Click "Save to Calendar"
* This session will be recorded and sent to all who register.
Oregon State University Spring 2025 Teaching Early Literacy from a Multilingual Perspective PD Course
 Click here for more information.
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.
40th Annual Oregon Writing Festival
Hosted by the Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE) on May 3, 2025, at Woodburn High School for students grades 4 through 12.
Students bring a sample of their best writing to share in small groups of ten, participate in two writing workshops, listen to a keynote author, and have a chance to purchase books for autographing by the following:
- Former elementary school teacher Aron Nels Steinke is the creator of the wildly popular award-winning Mr. Wolf’s Class graphic novel series. His honors include the Eisner Comic Industry Award, finalist of the Oregon Book Award, and winner of OCTE’s Oregon Spirit Book Award. He will speak to grades 4-5.
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2. Back by popular demand, this will be the fourth appearance of longtime teacher and award-winning writer and editor Bart King, who will share his writing skills and irresistible sense of humor with students of grades 6 – 7. He has a slew of books, of which he has sold more than a million.
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3. Born and raised in Australia, Emily Suvada is the award-winning author of a science fiction thriller series for Young Adults, This Mortal Coil, in which the daughter of the world’s leading geneticist must solve the mystery he left behind. Emily will share her love of Star Trek, reading, and writing with students in grades 8-12.
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Click here for more information.
Civics Learning Project Opportunities for Students
Ridgley Scholarship - Applications due April 1, 2025. Available to current high school seniors who have participated in CLP programs, this college scholarship offers $10,000 over four years for the recipient.
Hatfield Futures - Applications due February 15, 2025. Hosted by Oregon's Kitchen Table, this fully funded summer week-long summer youth program gathers Oregon high school students who are interested in collaborating with other youth to design and present proposals to community leaders, elected officials, and other members of the community on issues important to them.
Civics Learning Week - CLW is a national initiative overseen by iCivics to ensure that civics education becomes a national priority. This year it takes place between March 10 - 14. CLP will be sharing a toolkit in February with ideas on how educators can incorporate civics education into their instruction. If you'd like to discuss ideas for how your district or region can celebrate Civics Learning Week, please reach out!
Student Essay Contests
National Center for State Courts - Open for students in grades 3 - 12, the essay topics inspire students to explore the principles of US government. The contest opens February 17 and entries are due March 21.
Ninth Circuit Civics Contest - An essay and video contest for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. Submissions are due March 7 and the grand prize winner receives $3,000 plus travel and accommodations to the 2025 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference.
Civics Education Reports - There are a few interesting reports a. The News Literacy Project published a report grounded in their survey of teens' information attitudes, habits, and skills
The American Institute of Research published a report on the landscape of social studies curriculum. This can provide some helpful context as districts go through the addoption process.
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
Katie Trader -- Literacy Specialist
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