Utah schools are expanding access to digital instructional materials through state-level literacy repositories and school-specific online libraries designed to support reading development. These initiatives, ranging from the ULEAD Early Literacy Repository to individual library programs at Wasatch Elementary, provide teachers, students, and parents with specialized tools for science of reading instruction and independent reading challenges.
Statewide Literacy Resources and Legislation
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) maintains the Early Literacy Repository as part of a collaborative effort to improve educational outcomes. According to the ULEAD website, this initiative was established by Senate Bill (S.B.) 127: Early Outcomes Improvement, passed by the 2022 Utah State Legislature.
The repository is a product of a partnership between the USBE, the Center for the School of the Future (CSF), and Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic (ULEAD) Education. Its primary purpose is to develop and implement an online collection of digital resources focused on the science of reading and science of reading instruction.
These materials are intended to be accessible to a wide range of users, including public school teachers, school leaders, parents, and educator preparation programs. The repository is not static; the USBE noted that materials within the collection are continuously added to ensure up-to-date instructional support.
Digital Tools in Local Classrooms
A searchable version of the full Early Literacy Repository is hosted on the Utah Education Network Hub: Elementary English Language Arts (UEN). This centralized access point allows educators to navigate through a growing database of science-based reading resources.
At the local level, schools like Wasatch Elementary are integrating similar digital strategies into their Library Learning Center. The school provides students with access to multiple digital platforms, including the Utah Online Library and SORA, which serves as an online library for student use.
Building Research and Media Skills
The Wasatch Elementary Library Learning Center functions as a hub for students to grow as researchers, creators, and readers. The center provides a space where students can utilize digital tools and explore resources that reflect their individual interests, identities, and imaginations.
Beyond digital access, the school maintains a physical presence through its library catalog and print books available for checkout. The facility is designed to support classroom learning by teaching students how to find, evaluate, and use information in thoughtful ways, helping them build essential media and research skills.
District Reading Competitions
To encourage engagement with literature, Wasatch Elementary utilizes the SORA platform for its 'Battle of the Books' competition. This district-wide reading challenge targets students in grades 4 through 6. To qualify for the school-level competition held in February 2026, students must read at least five books from a designated list of 20 titles.
The competition structure allows students to compete individually by answering multiple-choice questions regarding the assigned texts. The program is designed to foster excitement about high-quality children's literature through variety and competition.
Battle of the Books Reading List
The 2025-2026 Battle of the Books collection features a diverse array of titles available both on SORA and for physical checkout. The list includes works such as 'And Then, Boom' by Lisa Fipps, 'Blue Stars: Mission 1, The Vice Principal Problem' by Kekla Magoon, and 'Coyote Lost and Found' by Dan Gemeinhart.
Other titles in the rotation include 'Dogtown' by Katherine Applegate, 'Dona Quixote: Rise of the Knight' by Ray Terciero, 'Gamerville' by Johnnie Christmas, and 'Gracie Under the Waves' by Linda Sue Park. The collection also features 'Impossible Creatures' by Katherine Rundell, 'It Came from the Trees' by Ally Russell, and 'Just Keep Walking' by Erin Soderberg Downing.
Additional books in the 20-book set include 'Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall' by Lynn Brunelle, 'Magnolia Wu Unfolds it All' by Chanel Miller, 'Max in the House of Spies' by Adam Gidwitz, and 'The Night War' by Kimberly Bradley. The list is completed by titles such as 'Plain Jane and the Mermaid' by Vera Brosgol, 'A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall' by Jasmine A. Warga, 'The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman' by Gennifer Choldenko, 'Wild Wave: A Novel' by W.R. Philbrick, 'Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills' by Billy Mills, and 'The Wrong Way Home' by Kate O’Shaughnessy.
Path to District Competition
Following the school-level competition in February 2026, the top four winners from Wasatch will advance to represent their school as a team during the district-wide Battle of the Books in March 2026.
To support these efforts, Wasatch Elementary encourages families to participate by helping students read regularly at home and discussing their learning. The school also provides various digital management tools for parents through a Parent Portal, which allows for account creation, adding students, and managing student passwords.
