TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of May 17, 2026
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to go to the Featured Sites Archive
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Open Culture - Open Culture, LLC
Grades
4 to 12
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Open Culture is a rich, freely accessible resource that curates a wide variety of educational media, including audiobooks, e-books, films, podcasts, language lessons, and K-12 materials....more
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Open Culture is a rich, freely accessible resource that curates a wide variety of educational media, including audiobooks, e-books, films, podcasts, language lessons, and K-12 materials. Whether you're looking for classic literature in audio form, open-access university lectures, or multicultural language videos, Open Culture provides easily navigable lists and categories that make it teacher-friendly for classroom integration. While many items are downloadable or streamable, please note that some video content is hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube access, those videos will not be viewable.
tag(s): architecture (81), artists (98), authors (113), cultures (290), famous people (40), musical instruments (60), news (223), scientists (71)
In the Classroom
Choose a classic from Open Culture's free audiobook list and assign small groups to listen and discuss themes, characters, or historical context. Pair a historical audiobook (e.g., The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) with a Social Studies lesson on the corresponding era. Students can create visual timelines using Timeline Infographic Templates by Venngage, reviewed here or journal entries written from a character's point of view. After listening to a story, invite students to produce their own podcast episode with Buzzsprout, reviewed here inspired by the text, reflecting on themes, tone, or moral lessons.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Booklist - Social Justice Books
Grades
K to 12
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This extensive book list shares titles of recommended books that feature Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander themes and characters. Explore the list by age group titles,...more
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This extensive book list shares titles of recommended books that feature Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander themes and characters. Explore the list by age group titles, including elementary, middle school, young adult, and adult. Books with an asterisk include a link to detailed reviews.
tag(s): asia (136), book lists (160), cross cultural understanding (177), cultures (290), preK (318)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this list to find titles to add to your classroom library to support diversity or feature Asian American themes during your lessons. Assign different books to small groups and have students explore themes like identity, family, immigration, or belonging. Include guiding questions to foster discussion. Use an AI resource like MagicSchool reviewed here or QuestionWell reviewed here to create a series of guiding questions for each group. Have students prepare and share book talks to summarize and share their reactions to books they read. Share examples of book talks on WHYY I Like This Book reviewed here with students as part of your lessons on what makes a good book talk and presentation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boys Will Be Boys: Keeping Boys Engaged in Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8
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This selection from TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here focuses on suggestions and resources that provide...more
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This selection from TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here focuses on suggestions and resources that provide engaging materials for boys. Suggestions include teaching strategies such as EduProtocols, choices for reading materials, and authors whose books appeal to boys. Also included are extension activities that encourage readers to explore information through different perspectives. Information includes correlation to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (160), graphic novels (3), novels (34), podcasts (155), science of reading (37), teaching strategies (66)
In the Classroom
Add this article to other resources when looking for engaging reading materials for students. Consider using Symbaloo, reviewed here to organize and share book lists for students. Create and share Symbaloo web mixes based on different student interests, such as sports, celebrities, science fiction, etc. Extend learning by incorporating Choice Boards into reading instruction to offer opportunities for students to select not only their choice of books but also their choice of learning opportunities. Include technology resources in Choice Board activities to demonstrate comprehension and understanding, such as using the Free Comic Strip Maker, reviewed here to make original comics based upon a book's content or create an original video using tools available at Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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TeachersFirst Reading Treks - Make Learning a Journey - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Your students can visit the world and build their background knowledge when they choose to read a book in conjunction with Reading Treks. Find fiction and informational books at every...more
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Your students can visit the world and build their background knowledge when they choose to read a book in conjunction with Reading Treks. Find fiction and informational books at every reading level. Each Reading Trek unit has a downloadable PDF with Common Core State Standards, ISTE Standards, Grade Level, Ideas and Activities for using the Reading Trek in class, and a list of Helpful Resources. There is also a Google Maps (KMZ) file. Under the About TeachersFirst Reading Treks on the home page find step-by-step instructions for when you're ready to use a Reading Trek. TeachersFirst is just getting started creating Treks for books. Do you have a suggestion? Select Suggest a Trek from the left menu to let us know about it. We'd love to hear from you!
tag(s): independent reading (81), maps (222), reading comprehension (146), reading lists (76)
In the Classroom
These units are perfect for use with a whole-class novel, literature circles, or individual reading! Ask students to keep a journal about what they are reading and learning. Replace traditional paper and pen journals using an easy virtual journaling tool such as Penzu, reviewed here. With Penzu you can add images or your own artwork as illustrations. If you are conducting literature circles a good tool to use for small group assignments and communication is Asana, reviewed here, or Canvas Free LMS, reviewed here. For students or student groups to share their book with their peers, challenge them to enhance their learning and design an interactive multimedia poster using Genially, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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21 Must-Read Books - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Amer. Indian Lib. Assn & the Asian/Pacific American Lib. Assn.
Grades
K to 12
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Enjoy perusing this list of Asian American children's books, divided by age groups. The lists include a wide range of selections, from picture books to young adult books and poetry....more
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Enjoy perusing this list of Asian American children's books, divided by age groups. The lists include a wide range of selections, from picture books to young adult books and poetry. There is also a list of recommended authors and illustrators. If you are interested in similar book lists, TeachersFirst's CurriConnects found here offers several other curriculum-related, leveled booklists.
tag(s): asia (136), book lists (160), chinese (37), cross cultural understanding (177), hawaii (9), independent reading (81), japanese (53), korea (21), vietnam (40)
In the Classroom
Refer your class to this list for multicultural reading and reports. If you have any ESL/ELL students from these areas, they may enjoy reading literature from (or about) their homeland. Challenge students to read one of the books on this list and research the location. Have cooperative learning groups create a mash-up map using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge Tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Google My Maps, Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, StoryMap JS, Renderforest, and Genially.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Oxford Owl Reading - Oxford University Press
Grades
K to 6
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Find pre-reading and beginning reading help for the very youngest readers through the pre-teen years. From phonics lessons to online books to story videos read by professional story...more
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Find pre-reading and beginning reading help for the very youngest readers through the pre-teen years. From phonics lessons to online books to story videos read by professional story tellers, this site offers comprehensive reading help and activities for educators and parents. There are plenty of activities that accompany the free e-books. Many other activities encourage reading. On the e-book page are also suggestions for other similar or related books. In addition, a special section addresses the problem of reluctant male readers. Assistance for instructors is also available. Accompanying book lists are arranged by level of reader interest. Although the site has links to books for purchase, there is enough free material to warrant inclusion in your reading helps lists. British English speakers read the e-books, so be prepared for the difference in accents.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): independent reading (81), preK (318), reading lists (76), reading strategies (93)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce one of the free online books on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Then encourage students to use it individually or in pairs. Refer your ENL/ESL and learning support students to this site for extra, assisted reading practice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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DOGOnews - Meera Dolasia
Grades
2 to 12
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Need kid-friendly online news? This safe site, written for kids, by kids, offers news from a younger point-of-view. You can create a class page where you can load a variety ...more
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Need kid-friendly online news? This safe site, written for kids, by kids, offers news from a younger point-of-view. You can create a class page where you can load a variety of articles, add a book list, a calendar, favorite sites list, add lesson plan instructions, monitor student comments, and more. DOGOnews is kid-friendly, colorful, and flexible. After all, DOGO means young or small in Swahili. You can select articles from a number of categories (Social Studies, Science, World, Current Events, etc.). There is an integrated dictionary for challenging words and maps for geographical context. Some of the articles include short video clips. Students may leave brief comments about each article (no login required). Also, typing the word "video" in the search box will bring up the Video of the Week for the past several weeks. The videos reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. In addition, find a Book and Movie section with a brief summary for the book or movie, and comments. You don't have to join to read the articles, but you do need to join to create a class page. There are many benefits to creating a class page, and it's all free! Don't want to create a class page? You can also embed articles on your current web page.
tag(s): journalism (74), news (223), reading comprehension (146), sports (87)
In the Classroom
Non-fiction reading and background knowledge have found a new emphasis with The Common Core State Standards. It is more important now than ever to help connect students with quality, non-fiction reading and viewing material. Find great news resources and videos of the week to create assignments for your class at DOGOnews. You may want to create a class page and load several news articles. Have students choose from the articles and email it to themselves. Have students print out the article and complete a "close reading" of the article by annotating it. Then have students who chose the same article get together in groups to discuss their reactions about the article, create a summary together, and create four or five open-ended questions about the article. Lastly, create groups of four, with each student having a different article, and have them present their article to the others in the group and ask them their open-ended questions to trigger a discussion. Create a class magazine from the articles. Or better yet, have students create a multimedia presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint Online. This site allows you to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced) and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Strengthen reading comprehension by having an 'article du jour' on your interactive whiteboard or projector as students arrive. Link this site on your homepage.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CurriConnects - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
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Use CurriConnects to find books related to curriculum topics or subject areas. Build students' literacy skills, reinforce the role of curriculum concepts in other contexts, and help...more
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Use CurriConnects to find books related to curriculum topics or subject areas. Build students' literacy skills, reinforce the role of curriculum concepts in other contexts, and help students develop the important reading strategy of connecting what they read to prior knowledge. Share CurriConnects as links on your class web page or share them with school and local libraries, where students can select books to accompany what they are studying. Topics include Citizen Science, Civil War, Maps, Earth Science, STEM, Music and Musicians, and many more. Check back often, as new lists are frequently added. Each book list includes descriptions and interest levels, and many also include Lexiles, making the lists easy to use for differentiation.
tag(s): book lists (160), independent reading (81), reading lists (76)
In the Classroom
Share CurriConnects as links on your class web page or share them with school and local libraries, where students can select books to accompany what they are studying. Explore the many ideas TeachersFirst offers for using CurriConnects in your classroom. Be sure to share these lists with multilingual/ESL teachers for reading selections to build student vocabulary and understanding of the curriculum.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Find a Book - lexile.com
Grades
1 to 12
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This site allows teachers and students to go through four simple steps to find a book that has a lexile rating. The steps include entering a lexile range (if unknown: ...more
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This site allows teachers and students to go through four simple steps to find a book that has a lexile rating. The steps include entering a lexile range (if unknown: enter grade level and ease of reading), interests (similar to a keyword search), search of all items that come up, and list-making.
One disadvantage of the site is that you can only enter a keyword when you get to the third step. After a book list based on interests appears, then you can search by keyword to make the search zero in on specifics. When teachers or students select books for a reading list, they can then click to see the complete list of books they have selected. Clicking on a book title leads to another screen, but it does not contain a book summary; instead, it has a list of other keywords for the book along with other book data.
One disadvantage of the site is that you can only enter a keyword when you get to the third step. After a book list based on interests appears, then you can search by keyword to make the search zero in on specifics. When teachers or students select books for a reading list, they can then click to see the complete list of books they have selected. Clicking on a book title leads to another screen, but it does not contain a book summary; instead, it has a list of other keywords for the book along with other book data.
tag(s): book lists (160), independent reading (81), reading lists (76)
In the Classroom
This site is great for teachers searching for books at specific lexile levels. Learning support and ESL/ELL teachers can find books to accompany units in content area classes but on the correct lexile level. Students can also use the site by entering their grade levels and what kind of readers they are. Use this site to differentiate the learning experience for all levels of students. Rather than having students complete traditional book reports, why not have them complete a multimedia project? Provide some choices such as a podcast, using PodoMatic (reviewed here), interactive venn diagram comparing characters (reviewed here), or online book using Bookemon (reviewed here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Read Kiddo Read - James Patterson
Grades
K to 12
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"Dedicated to making your kids readers for life" is the sub-heading to James Patterson's new site ReadKiddoRead. This well-known author has put together a loaded site full of...more
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"Dedicated to making your kids readers for life" is the sub-heading to James Patterson's new site ReadKiddoRead. This well-known author has put together a loaded site full of inspiration, book suggestions, author interviews, and more to inspire educators and parents to promote reading. The titles are divided by age (0-8, 6+, 8+, or 10+). Search by category (within age levels) such as Fantasy & Other Worlds, Real World Fiction, Action/Adventure/Mystery, and others. Teachers who have reluctant readers at all ages will discover ample ways to help them find exciting books. The books at this site also include brief descriptions.
tag(s): book lists (160)
In the Classroom
Sign up for Patterson's newsletter (free) to keep updated on news from the youth literature world and get free chapters. This is definitely a site to save on your classroom favorites and also list on your class website. Provide this link for families to use to find summer reading resources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AdLit - adlit.org
Grades
4 to 12
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The focus of this site is to encourage better literacy and reading enjoyment among pre-teens and adolescents. Sister sites Reading Rockets, Colorin'Colorado, Start with a Book, and...more
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The focus of this site is to encourage better literacy and reading enjoyment among pre-teens and adolescents. Sister sites Reading Rockets, Colorin'Colorado, Start with a Book, and LDonline offer summer reading strategies, book lists, book clubs, classroom technique hints that encourage the development of reading attack skills, and a special section on authors and their best books. This site has everything you need to know about teaching reading in easy-to-use formats.
tag(s): authors (113), independent reading (81), reading strategies (93)
In the Classroom
If you need ideas to get students reading for fun and to help develop their confidence, try this site. Highlight this on your class website so parents can try the activities with their older students. When doing author biographies, share this site with your class using an interactive whiteboard or projector. Be sure to check out the "Classroom Strategies" link for even more literacy ideas.
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Story Place - Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Library
Grades
1 to 12
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Created by the Charlotte & Mecklenburg County libraries, this is an interesting, bilingual resource for finding children's books and related activities. In addition to a kid-friendly...more
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Created by the Charlotte & Mecklenburg County libraries, this is an interesting, bilingual resource for finding children's books and related activities. In addition to a kid-friendly book search, there are theme reading lists for both elementary and preschool age groups. Inquisitive reading teachers - especially those working with Spanish-speaking students, will find this a welcome addition to their web lists.
tag(s): book lists (160), reading lists (76), spanish (109)
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The Children's Book Council
Grades
1 to 12
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The Children's Book Council sponsors Children's Book Week each fall. Their site includes this Showcase collection of books recommended for children, with links and additional information...more
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The Children's Book Council sponsors Children's Book Week each fall. Their site includes this Showcase collection of books recommended for children, with links and additional information on each book selected. A good starting point for building a reading list or library.
tag(s): reading lists (76)
In the Classroom
Use the book lists on this site for recommendations to parents who want suggestions on outside or summer readings. The lists are separated by age, gender and all kinds of category's - making it easier for parents to find what they need.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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