Research-based literacy instruction video library part of
broader effort to boost early literacy rates by supporting
educators and families across the country
PRINCETON, N.J., May 21, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- National nonprofit organization Learning Ally,
in partnership with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF),
today launched a free and comprehensive digital library of
on-demand videos designed to help educators teach young children
critical reading and writing skills.
"The educator journey is one of dedication, continuous learning,
and tireless effort to support their students' growth and
achievement," said Missy Sherburne,
Learning Ally's chief of growth and strategic partnerships. "As
school districts reconcile the need for a deeper understanding and
application of the science of reading, surveys show educators feel
ill-prepared. We're proud to partner with the Dollar General
Literacy Foundation to help bridge that gap by providing educators
with a high-quality resource to strengthen literacy instruction for
their unique students."
The Literacy Video Library offers practical, research-based
strategies for educators in grades K-3 to foster reading success
for every student. The succinct and engaging videos bring viewers
into vibrant classrooms of elementary educators to observe powerful
literacy practices in action and to reflect on how these strategies
can fit into their own instruction.
"In these videos, literacy instruction is not just taught but
brought to life," said Dr. Kenneth
Kunz, the narrator of the video series and a former
president of the International Literacy Association who has served
as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, administrator, and
teacher-educator. "Every video shows what brain-based literacy
instruction looks like in a real classroom, with real teachers and
students, and includes helpful annotations to call attention to
best practices and helpful tips along the way. It's a rare and
valuable resource for educators, and in turn, for young
learners."
Today, just one in three fourth-graders is reading on grade
level. The Literacy Video Library is part of a broader effort by
Learning Ally and the DGLF to help boost early literacy rates.
Earlier this spring, the organizations released a toolkit of free
resources for families to strengthen the connection between school
and home. The toolkit includes resources to promote family bonding,
the joy of reading, and academic and life success.
"Equipping teachers with the resources and tools they need to
help advance student success is important," said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar
General Literacy Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Learning
Ally to provide a collection of digital videos that provide
real-life, in-classroom examples of how teachers are integrating
research-based literacy instruction into their lessons. We hope
this resource will equip teachers with some new strategies to help
advance the literacy skills of their students."
The organizations also partnered with schools to host virtual
workshops to engage families in their child's literacy journey.
Norris County School District, in Bakersfield, Calif., is among the school
districts to recently host a workshop.
"Literacy instruction isn't just found in the classroom," said
Michele Bryant, director of
curriculum and instruction for Norris Elementary School
District. "At our recent family engagement workshop, we were
able to show our families all of the fun, memorable, and powerful
ways they can incorporate reading and writing activities into their
homes and in their everyday lives. The positive response we've
received is a testament to the power of family-educator
partnerships, and we're excited to watch our students grow as a
result."
About Learning Ally
Learning Ally is a leading nonprofit education organization
dedicated to equipping educators with proven solutions that help
early and struggling learners reach their potential. Our range of
literacy-focused offerings for students Pre-K to 12th grade,
including our award winning reading resource, the Learning Ally
Audiobook Solution™, our new Early Literacy solution, Excite
Reading™, and catalog of professional learning allow us to support
more than 2.5 million students and over 615,000 educators across
the US.
About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The
Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives
that help others improve their lives through literacy and
education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than
$250 million in grants to nonprofit
organizations, helping more than 21.5 million individuals take
their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or
English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy
Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit
organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar
General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the
Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant,
visit www.dgliteracy.org.
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SOURCE Learning Ally