More Reading Lists from TeachersFirst

These reviewed resources include booklists galore! Find books for a specific theme or to coax even the most reluctant readers. Find inspiration for literature circles. Don't miss "In the classroom" ideas for ways to share the lists or inspire students to create some of their own.
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New Bedford Whaling Museum - New Bedford Whaling Museum
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1700s (36), 1800s (75), colonial america (95), marine biology (31), whales (11)
In the Classroom
The museum's exhibits focused on the Arctic and on the migrations and habitats of whales are useful from a historical perspective. Consider using early maps and photographs from the exploration of Arctic regions to compare with current maps for a discussion on global climate change. Use information about current and past whale habitats to illustrate the impact of ocean changes on the largest of its inhabitants. Students doing independent research will find the individual images of the museum's extensive collection useful as well. Have students act as curators for an imaginary special exhibit, perhaps creating a map using MapHub, reviewed here, to add points of interest with display markers featuring text, photos, and videos. to show the artifact locations and tell the stories of their "artifacts." (Simplify adding images by inserting them using the online URLs of the artifact images from the museum catalog. To find and copy the URL for an online image, RIGHT click on it to "Copy Image URL" or "Get Info," depending on your browser and computer type.)CurriConnects Booklist: By the People - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), branches of government (64), congress (39), constitution (99), presidents (136)
In the Classroom
Encourage students to select independent reading from this list as part of a citizenship unit, as a focus for Constitution Day, or in a civics/government class.Color in my Piano - Joy Morin
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): music theory (47), musical instruments (54), musical notation (35)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and worksheets for music classroom use. Search the Reading Lists for articles to share with students. Share (and discuss) Wednesday's Words of Wisdom. Use this site to differentiate for music students of all levels.CurriConnects Book List - Light and Color - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 10tag(s): book lists (168), colors (63), independent reading (82), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Have students choose a book they can connect to your light unit in science, to art projects, or simply a book of interest. Extend the experience by having them collect their own photographs as examples of the concepts they learn. Transform and share projects using one of these reviewed presentation tools from the TeachersFirst Edge. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): slides, Animatron, MoocNote, and Desygner. The non-fiction selections offer possible informational texts to practice Common Core science literacy skills.CurriConnects Booklist: Poets and Poetry - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), literature (221), poetry (195)
In the Classroom
This list will fit well during National Poetry Month or any unit on poetry. Finding Lexiles for poetry can be a challenge, but this list includes them where available. Augment or modify classroom technology use (depending on assignment requirements) by having your students "collect" their favorite poems as they read from this list and share them as a multimedia poetry reading using copyright-friendly images or even their own artwork. Upload images and add the poetry in the student's own voice using a tool like Powtoon, reviewed here, or moovly, reviewed here. Go "low tech" by hosting a live poetry reading celebration in your classroom or during lunch in the school cafeteria.CurriConnects Booklist: Bridges and Structures - Teachersfirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): bridges (11), engineering (137), independent reading (82), structures (18)
In the Classroom
Make STEM a reading challenge. Share this list with students during your study of physics of structures, design, or basic concepts such as gravity. Have students choose a book they can connect to concepts you are studying in science class or have them choose a book of interest and generate a list of the questions they would like to learn about after reading the book. The non-fiction selections offer possible informational texts to practice Common Core science literacy skills.Love Your Dog - Janet and Rick Wall
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (293)
In the Classroom
Use as a comprehensive resource site for career day, with detailed information on dog care and careers. Use the videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard as a way to illustrate a "how to" report. Capture the hearts of your reluctant readers with dog stories and engaging lesson plans. Write poetry and join the dog lovers' community. Use as resource information for science projects. Explore the role of therapy dogs in your career exploration. Use as an example for detailed reports on animals for your class. Have students make their own multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, Animatron, Renderforest, and Presentious.CurriConnects Booklist: Living Green - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), environment (251)
In the Classroom
This is a great match during units on the environment, current events, or world issues. As students select and read from this list, they will have many opportunities to interact and find meaning from informational texts. This list is ideal during April for Earth Day or as you study the environment--or even geography and human impact on our planet.BiblioNasium - Marjan Ghara
Grades
1 to 7This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (118), descriptive writing (42), independent reading (82), social networking (61), writing (325)
In the Classroom
Use BiblioNasium to manage an independent reading program from reading logs to tailored reading lists. Stack your virtual bookshelves with recommended or required reads: set reading goals, create challenges, and keep track of student reading by using BiblioNasium in your classroom. Your students can easily see what they have read, what they like, and what they plan to read. Be sure to have them evaluate the books they read using BiblioNasium to help others find their next book. Find books by Lexile reading levels with BiblioNasium's Search Field. BiblioNasium is partners with MetaMetrics''''''''''®, developer of the Lexile''''''''''® Framework for Reading. Knowing the reading levels of your students, you can set up leveled small groups for literature circles or nonfiction reading.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
CurriConnects Book List: 100 Leaders - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artists (87), book lists (168), politics (118), presidents (136), scientists (71)
In the Classroom
Use this list as you study any topic that features leaders: the founding fathers, famous scientists, and much more. Encourage students to read about leaders in diverse fields - including the one you are studying - to compare and discuss what makes someone a successful leader and why people rise to the top among their peers across time, place, and circumstance. You could also form an afterschool book club around this list or use the nonfiction listings as practice with informational texts.CurriConnects Book List: Immigrants and Immigration - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), immigrants (48), immigration (84)
In the Classroom
Allow students to select books at their own level to understand immigrants and how their own ancestors may have felt upon arriving in the U.S. Perhaps have them write a blog post as if they had just arrived. Have students meet in literature circles as they discuss these books or hold an immigration day where students share the experiences they have read and how immigrants contribute to the many cultures in the U.S.CurriConnects Book List: Slavery - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), civil war (141), slavery (79), underground railroad (15)
In the Classroom
As you study the Civil War and slavery, let students select books from this collection of fiction and historical fiction. As we honor and move beyond the 150th anniversary of many Civil War events, what better way for students to make a more personal connection to the people who lived during those tumultuous times.CurriConnects Book List: The Way Things Work - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), engineering (137), scientists (71), STEM (310)
In the Classroom
Have students choose a book they can connect to concepts you are studying in science class or have them choose a book of interest and generate a list of the questions they would like to learn about after reading the book. The non-fiction selections offer possible informational texts to practice Common Core science literacy skills. For more on text complexity and Lexiles''''®, see this information from the Lexile Framework.21 Must-Read Books - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Amer. Indian Lib. Assn & the Asian/Pacific American Lib. Assn.
Grades
K to 12tag(s): asia (136), book lists (168), chinese (45), cross cultural understanding (178), hawaii (9), independent reading (82), japanese (56), korea (22), vietnam (38)
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.Oxford Owl Reading - Oxford University Press
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): independent reading (82), preK (289), reading lists (77), reading strategies (96)
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.Dia de los ninos, Dia de los libros - American Library Association
Grades
K to 8tag(s): book lists (168), cross cultural understanding (178), literature (221)
In the Classroom
Put this site on your calendar for Children's Day/Book Day in April. Use the book lists as reference for multi-cultural offerings. Have your own "in class" Children's Day/Book Day. Make it a themed affair: multicultural, non-fiction, science-fiction, or whatever relates to your language arts/reading classes. Challenge students to read a book and then share the story by creating a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, Vevox, Animatron, Renderforest, and Canva Inforgraphic Maker. Ask older writers to create their own children's book using Bookemon, reviewed here, and read it with a younger reading buddy in honor of the day.CurriConnects Book List: Books for Tough Situations - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (57), disabilities (32), divorce (7), eating disorders (6), emotions (53), social and emotional learning (110), social skills (23)
In the Classroom
Build student literacy skills and help students facing personal challenges. Reading about personally meaningful topics will help students work through them. It will also build the important reading strategy of connecting what they read to what they already know. Keep this list handy in your Favorites to suggest options when a student seems to need them. Since the list includes topics for all levels of maturity, you might want to share portions of it rather than the entire list. You may also want to tell parents about it during parent conferences or when situations arise. As always, allow students to self- select independent reading books from a list of options. Don't forget to share the list with the school and local libraries so they can bring in some of the books on interlibrary loan, if needed. Your school counselor will also appreciate this list. CurriConnects are a great help for teachers and parents who have lost school library/media specialists due to budget cuts.CurriConnects Book List: Money, Money, Money - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 10tag(s): business (54), financial literacy (95), money (113)
In the Classroom
Build student literacy skills, reinforce what students are learning about money and economics, and help students build the important reading strategy of connecting what they read to prior (classroom!) knowledge. Share this link on your class web page or wiki so students can select independent reading books to accompany your unit on economics or financial literacy. Don't forget to share the list with the school and local libraries so they can bring in some of the books on interlibrary loan. CurriConnects are a great help for teachers who have lost school library/media specialists due to budget cuts.CurriConnects: Explorers - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 9tag(s): book lists (168), explorers (64), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
Build student literacy skills, reinforce what students are learning about Explorers, and help students build the important reading strategy of connecting what they read to prior (classroom!) knowledge. Share this link on your class web page or wiki so students can select independent reading books to accompany your unit on Explorers. Don't forget to share the list with the school and local libraries so they can bring in some of the books on interlibrary loan. CurriConnects are a great help for teachers who have lost school library/media specialists due to budget cuts.CurriConnects Book List - Earth Science - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (168), earth (182), reading lists (77)