Literacy Foundations

A curated collection of resources designed to help educators and learners build a strong foundation in literacy through curiosity, creativity, and real-world connections. 

Explore:

• The Science of Reading (SOR): what it is, what it is not, and how to evaluate studies and curricula (Reading Rockets)
• Graphic Novels for Literacy: An evolving database of articles and research on the role Graphic Novels play in Literacy proficiency.
• Pedagogy of Play: Project Zero (Harvard University) conducts research and lived experience in how the human brain learns through play

 Engage:

Apply:

Word of the Week: Choose a word, make it a tough one. Give students the spelling, pronunciation, and part of speech—plus three definitions, only ONE of which is correct. Students have to decide which definition is correct.

• Already know it? Great! Scholars use pre-existing knowledge all the time!
• Heard it from a friend? Super! Scholars share information.
• Look it up in the dictionary? Fantastic! Scholars do research to find answers.
• Wanna guess? Well, why not? But if the guess is wrong, the teacher gets the points!

For example:

"Temerity", noun, tuh-MAIR-uh-tee

• a. the inner bark of a maple tree,
• b. the quality of being confident, esp. in a rude way,
• c. the feeling of falling while dreaming

Literacy Connections

Literacy is a vital and foundational part of all learning. Explore the ways you can build proficiency in literacy while working in "other" disciplines. 

Explore:

• Literacy is More than Reading and Writing: an exploration of true literacy from the National Council of Teachers of English.
• Wabanaki Studies: cultural literacy, language, and perspective.
• Object-Based Learning for Literacy: a growing database of scholarly articles on OBL

 Engage:

• Smologies: the classroom-friendly (and shorter) version of Ologies with Allie Ward. Science, culture, literature... 
• Curiosity Corner: "OK, GO"
  • "Upside Down & Inside Out" video - science, math, poetry - and a lot of "Wow!" 
  • The making of that video
  • TED Talk on "How to find a wonderful Idea" 

Apply:

• Poetry.org for research on writing poems and lyrics
• The Kennedy Center: lyrics and poetry, a 9-12 lesson plan
• Edutopia offers a list of suggested music activities for ELA.

Professional Learning

Evidence-Based Literacy Learning Opportunities.

Register today to attend the 2025-2026 series on Integrating Literacy through Applied Learning!

• November 21: Graphic Novels with Marek Bennett in Rockland
• March 6: Mapmaking with Renee Keul of Osher Map Library in Portland
• April 10: Writing Process and Object-Based Learning with Ronni Blaisdell and Deborah Johnson (MM&GM) in Bethel
• May 15: Making Meaning & Engaging Reluctant Readers with Cris Tovani in Augusta

Miss a session? No problem, log onto EnGiNE to watch the recorded version.

Inquiry for Deeper Comprehension: the Question Formulation Technique - available through asynchronous learning on EnGiNE!

Standards Review & Assessment

The ELA/literacy standards begin at kindergarten with developmentally appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills articulated as three separate strands but intended to be taught, practiced, and assessed as integrally related. A fourth strand, Language, presents the functional aspects of language development, including grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary development. Language standards must be more closely connected to the other strands to better understand the increasingly complex demands of the standards as they develop across the K-12 grade span.

Standards Review

Assessment

As outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act, students are required to participate in statewide ELA/literacy and mathematics assessments in grades 3-8 and one year of high school.  

• Maine Through the Year Assessment
• Multi-State Alternate Assessment