Reading in the Content Areas
TeachersFirst offers this collection of web resources well suited to teach reading in the content areas, especially in science and social studies classes, but in almost ANY subject area. See "In the classroom" ideas and strategies for teaching reading across the curriculum and find texts to use on the computer, in print, or in interactive whiteboard/projector. Sometimes using web-based texts can be more engaging, and often these are more up-to-date. Practice with these resources is certain to help student mastery of informational texts.
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Once Upon a Picture - Sam Daunt
Grades
1 to 12
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Once Upon A Picture is a dedicated platform aimed at enhancing classroom learning through visual stimuli, fostering creativity, and encouraging active student participation. It offers...more
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Once Upon A Picture is a dedicated platform aimed at enhancing classroom learning through visual stimuli, fostering creativity, and encouraging active student participation. It offers a vast collection of curated images and illustrations, carefully selected to inspire imagination and stimulate discussions in the classroom. Additionally, the site provides engaging writing prompts derived from the visuals, promoting creative writing skills and literacy development among students of all ages. Alongside these features, Once Upon A Picture offers reading comprehension activities, including literal, inference, deduction, and prediction questions designed to improve critical thinking and analytical skills.
tag(s): critical thinking (166), thinking skills (86), visual thinking (11), writing prompts (57)
In the Classroom
Incorporating Once Upon A Picture into classroom activities can amplify any lesson! Utilize Quizlet, reviewed here for vocabulary-building exercises. Teachers can create vocabulary sets based on themes or elements in the Once Upon A Picture images. Try Book Creator, reviewed here for digital storybook creation. Students can draw inspiration from Once Upon A Picture's visuals to craft engaging narratives combining text, images, audio, and video to share with the broader classroom community!You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Reading Treks: Charles Darwin's Around-the-World Adventure - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 3
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Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek based upon Jennifer Thermes' book Charles Darwin's Around-the World Adventure. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that...more
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Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek based upon Jennifer Thermes' book Charles Darwin's Around-the World Adventure. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps, reviewed here as the basis for a virtual journey that includes maps that are embedded into illustrations to tell the story of Darwin's five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. Additional suggestions include ideas for using this book with lessons on using maps and extension activities for several core content areas. Teaching suggestions are correlated to National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, National Core Standards for Visual Arts, Next Generation Science Standards, and Social Justice Standards.
tag(s): animals (268), continents (32), darwin (14), ecosystems (99), plants (139), preK (303)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many lesson ideas in the Teachers' Guide to bring this story to life and provide activities that correlate with the book's theme of adventure and exploration. Help students understand the timeline of Darwin's adventure using MyLens, reviewed here to create a timeline that includes the dates of his voyage created using AI or build a timeline as you read the book using ReadWriteThink's Timeline builder tool, reviewed here. Work together as a class to create an adventure story using Book Creator, reviewed here. Add student drawings, voice recordings, and maps to your digital book, then create a link on classroom computers for students to read over and over again!
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Speechify - Speechify Inc.
Grades
K to 12
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Speechify uses AI to convert text to speech and works in many different formats, including web pages, PDF documents, Microsoft Word, emails, and texts. The free plan offers a choice...more
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Speechify uses AI to convert text to speech and works in many different formats, including web pages, PDF documents, Microsoft Word, emails, and texts. The free plan offers a choice of ten voices and allows you limited options for controlling text speed. Register to create an account; when you reach the page that asks for billing information, do not add this information. Here is how you can get the site for free. Without clicking the page closed, return to the home page by opening a new window and clicking on "Speechify" in the title of this review. On the right, you will see a link go to web app materialize; click that, and your account dashboard will appear. Follow the directions to select a document or web page. After the information loads, click play on any text portion to listen. Options on the left side of the page allow you to change voices, adjust the speed, and change options for the page's appearance, including highlighting, scrolling, and dark mode.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (257), listening (97), text to speech (22)
In the Classroom
Use Speechify as a helpful tool to increase reading comprehension, support English language learners, and help students with dyslexia and other special needs. Upload tests, worksheets, and other assessment documents to support students who have materials read to them. Share Speechify with parents and students for use at home. When sharing Speechify, consider making a short tutorial video using Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here to demonstrate how to create a free account, where to find the dashboard, and how to upload and view reading materials.
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Whodunnit? - Bringing a Little Mystery Into the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8
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TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here, brings you this article with book suggestions and activities featuring...more
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TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here, brings you this article with book suggestions and activities featuring the genre of mysteries. This article begins with background knowledge on the advantages of including mystery books in classrooms in any reading program. The activities include recommendations for picture books and novels and lesson ideas that utilize technology and online resources to enhance knowledge and comprehension. Additional extension activities that encourage students to explore the mystery genre are available further down the page. They include writing projects and video book reviews. Information includes correlation to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (160), mysteries (27)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the book suggestions and lists to find mystery books to include in your classroom library and as a designated mystery reading center. Integrate reading mystery books and stories with other content areas to discover mysteries waiting to be solved. Create mystery stories on any subject to share with students using one of the many artificial intelligence (AI) tools available to educators. ReadTheory Passage Generator, reviewed here generates reading passages for all grade levels based on your prompt. When teaching about the Civil War, try a prompt asking for text about the mysteries of the Civil War and select a grade level. After generating a story that "looks good," ReadTheory generates editable comprehension questions to accompany the text delivered to your email inbox.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Twinkl
Grades
K to 5
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Twinkl, reviewed here is a website that provides educational resources for teachers and parents. They have partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment...more
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Twinkl, reviewed here is a website that provides educational resources for teachers and parents. They have partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment to create Spider-Man (C) activities that take children on a fun journey through the Spider-Verse as they learn and play alongside well-loved characters Spider-Man, (C) and Spider-Gwen, (C) A free membership is required to download these resources.
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tag(s): comics and cartoons (61), creative writing (126), game based learning (290), interactive stories (21), writing (308), writing prompts (57)
In the Classroom
Engage students by introducing your Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen tasks with the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse official trailer at the bottom of the page. Discover activities for learners aged 5-16 years. Fuel your student's interest with these entertaining, curriculum-aligned, Spider-Man activities! Use one of the writing prompts for a creative warm-up activity. Play interactive games on computers as a part of daily station rotations. Free downloadable activities include occupational therapy, fine motor skills, writing prompts, reading comprehension passages, interactive games, and math activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Supporting Language Learners with Book Creator - Book Creator
Grades
K to 12
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Book Creator's free book,Supporting Language Learners with Book Creator, shares over a dozen lesson ideas for educators to use Book Creator, reviewed...more
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Book Creator's free book,Supporting Language Learners with Book Creator, shares over a dozen lesson ideas for educators to use Book Creator, reviewed here, features to support students acquiring a new language. Suggestions in the book include ideas for all grade levels and content areas, such as how to use anchor charts, reading response journals, alphabet and number books, and more. Each suggestion includes a short description, pictures of examples, and links to Book Creator templates. Be sure to scroll further down the page to find and read several examples of books created in multiple languages worldwide.
tag(s): multimedia (56), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many ideas and suggestions shared in Supporting Language Learners with Book Creator to create books and learning opportunities for students in any language. Book Creator includes a built-in language translator for ten languages. If you need additional translation help, download and use Microsoft Translator for Education, reviewed here, or Google Language Tools, reviewed here to translate virtually any language. Provide additional language learning opportunities by asking students to create books in English and their native language and make them available by sharing them on your class website or Google Classroom. Encourage students to read their books in their native language and discuss their culture as they learn from each other.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How to Write a Visual Essay - Virginia Kearney
Grades
6 to 12
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What is a visual essay? This article explains the concept of a visual essay, along with examples and step-by-step directions for creating a persuasive visual essay. Follow along to...more
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What is a visual essay? This article explains the concept of a visual essay, along with examples and step-by-step directions for creating a persuasive visual essay. Follow along to learn what to include in your essay. Additional information shares ideas on where to find images and quotes to add and bring interest to your project.
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tag(s): essays (18), persuasive writing (52)
In the Classroom
Visual essays are the perfect way to engage students. Share the ideas and examples found on this site to inspire students and introduce the concept of a visual essay. Ask students to use their own images or use images from a free site such as Unsplash, reviewed here. Use visual essays in any content area. For example, after reading a novel or story, ask students to create an essay using images and music to retell the story or to analyze a character. In science class, use a visual essay to tell the story of physics concepts or as a journey through different landforms in social studies. Have students create an essay to tell the story of a journey through a continent or during a historic event such as the Civil War. Google My Maps, reviewed here, is an excellent tool for creating interactive maps to include with visual essays. For final projects, Animoto, reviewed here, is a very easy-to-use video creation tool for creating and sharing students' visual essays.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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BeeLine Reader Collection - Reading is Fundamental
Grades
K to 12
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Improve reading and comprehension skills for all students and adults with this BeeLine Reader Collection on Literacy Central. Find over 100 passages from stories as downloadable PDFs,...more
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Improve reading and comprehension skills for all students and adults with this BeeLine Reader Collection on Literacy Central. Find over 100 passages from stories as downloadable PDFs, all using BeeLine Reader technology to highlight and wrap text to improve focusing and tracking while reading. Use the leveled reading passages within Reading is Fundamental for multiple grade levels and books. Find additional support materials for each book, including author interviews, lesson plans, crosswords, and word searches all as downloadable PDFs. Though Beeline Reader is not usually a free tool, Literacy Central is providing it to its members for free through these PDFs. You do not need to create a free membership to use these materials, only to save them as a favorite. Learn more about the Beeline Reader tool and how it improves reading comprehension by watching the YouTube video introduction on this page.
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tag(s): independent reading (81), multilingual (74), reading comprehension (144), reading strategies (92), Special Needs (45), Teacher Utilities (199)
In the Classroom
These BeeLine Reader PDFs are an excellent addition to the already valuable reading materials found at Reading is Fundamental - Literacy Central, reviewed here. Be sure to bookmark this site to find leveled reading passages with the enhanced function of BeeLine Reader. These PDFs are wonderful to share with ENL/ELL and Special Education specialists to use with their students. Remember, all teachers are reading teachers. Share this tool with your science, social studies, and math teachers, too!
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For the Teachers - For the Teachers
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
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For the Teachers contains an incredible number of lesson ideas, differentiation tips, instructional strategies, and much more for all teachers. Search for specific content using the...more
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For the Teachers contains an incredible number of lesson ideas, differentiation tips, instructional strategies, and much more for all teachers. Search for specific content using the keyword search or scroll down the home page to find some of the site's most popular content. There is a great deal of useful content on the site to explore, of note is the Reading Skills for Big Kids and Differentiation links. The Reading Skills for Big Kids includes skill-based lesson plans for use with the many included leveled articles. The Differentiation portion of the site provides specific ideas and tools to differentiate content, assessment, and lesson activities and materials. Warning: Anything that says Download is an advertisement for a different program.
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tag(s): characterization (18), charts and graphs (193), constitution (100), differentiation (82), graphic organizers (55), inferencing (7), mean (20), measurement (126), median (17), mode (14), multiplication (132), patterns (80), place value (43), plot (15), reading comprehension (144), rubrics (38), sequencing (18)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark this site to save as a favorite to find lesson ideas and activities throughout the school year. When planning for a substitute, look through the site to find useful ideas for lessons and planning organizers. There is so much material here to use, consider exploring the site with peers using techniques similar to a book study. Divide the site into sections to discuss at different times of your study. Organize your favorite materials from this site and your other resources using Padlet, reviewed here. Share your Padlet with peers to collaborate and create a useful time for organizing and sharing your favorite teaching materials. Supplement information included on report cards by using a site like Seesaw, reviewed here, to create portfolios for your students to demonstrate progress in reading, math, and other content areas. Include student-created projects based on activities found on For the Teachers.
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Graphic Organizer Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
4 Favorites
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This collection of reviewed resources includes tools for creating graphic organizers and many suggestions for ways to use them in teaching almost any subject or grade. Be sure to read...more
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This collection of reviewed resources includes tools for creating graphic organizers and many suggestions for ways to use them in teaching almost any subject or grade. Be sure to read the "In the Classroom" suggestions for examples of ways to use graphic organizers as part of a lesson or unit.
tag(s): graphic organizers (55), mind map (31), venn diagrams (14)
In the Classroom
Whether you call them concept maps, mind maps, KWLs, or graphic organizers, these visual diagrams show relationships between concepts and provide a powerful tool for learning and connecting new ideas. Use graphic organizers to help your visual learners build reading comprehension. Find something for all grade levels in this collection.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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In the Swim eGuides - Make a Splash in the Classroom - In the Swim
Grades
K to 12
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Maintained by a company that sells pool accessories, this collection of links on swimming, swimming pools, and water-related topics helps teach students how to stay safe around water....more
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Maintained by a company that sells pool accessories, this collection of links on swimming, swimming pools, and water-related topics helps teach students how to stay safe around water. Scroll down the page to see resources organized by grade levels and content areas. The links include research articles, videos, lesson plans, worksheets, experiments, activities, and games for science, math, and history classes. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): chemicals (36), safety (64), sports (85), water (101)
In the Classroom
Follow these links for some supplemental materials to enliven lessons that could include water as a recreational resource. Science teachers will find real-world applications and information about chemicals. Use interactive boards to show videos and activities during whole-group lessons. Have students read articles for informational reading practice. Use the flipped or blended learning resources on your class website for individual or small-group work.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachThought - Teachthought
Grades
1 to 12
3 Favorites
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TeachThought stretches teachers to think beyond the norm, and try new exciting ideas such as learning in a digital world, flipped classrooms, project based learning, and simulations....more
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TeachThought stretches teachers to think beyond the norm, and try new exciting ideas such as learning in a digital world, flipped classrooms, project based learning, and simulations. A few examples of the articles include: 10 Team Building Games that Promote Critical Thinking, 25 Reading Strategies That Work In Every Content Area, 55 Free Apps For iPads, 249 Bloom's Taxonomy Verbs for Critical Thinking, 14 Brilliant Bloom's Taxonomy Posters For Teachers, and 20 Things You Can Do in 10 Minutes For A Smoother Running Classroom. Join in the conversation, add your opinion, or ask a question. Sign up for TeachThought's newsletter.
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tag(s): blooms taxonomy (7), classroom management (124), critical thinking (166), flipped learning (8), professional development (295), reading strategies (92)
In the Classroom
Think beyond your everyday lessons to something that makes you a teacher that kids always remember. Interesting ideas challenge you to do what you want the most in your teaching, inspire and motivate. Subscribe to the newsletter and follow the latest articles. Use the resources for enrichment or information. Share with colleagues and the collaboration begins. Share at a professional development meeting for many relevant ideas.
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Penguins: Everything You Need - Scholastic Inc
Grades
K to 8
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Penguins: Everything You Need is a PDF resource guide based on the book Discover More: Penguins. The PDF resource contains a Book Summary, Pre-Reading, During, and Post-Reading Activities,...more
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Penguins: Everything You Need is a PDF resource guide based on the book Discover More: Penguins. The PDF resource contains a Book Summary, Pre-Reading, During, and Post-Reading Activities, Vocabulary, Extension Activities, Content Area Connections and Read More and Learn More. The PDF also has a downloadable graphic organizer, vocabulary cards, and field guide.
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tag(s): adaptations (16), animals (268), antarctica (27), arctic (34), OER (42), preK (303)
In the Classroom
Students can take a virtual field trip to visit a zoo that has penguins. Students can use Aha Slides, reviewed here to create a presentation with facts about penguins. Finally, students can use Kiddle, reviewed here to learn more about penguins.
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Read Theory - Read Theory (Tanner)
Grades
2 to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
Read Theory offers over 1,000 interactive reading comprehension exercises. Learn to think critically, draw inferences, understand the scope and global concepts, find or recall details,...more
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Read Theory offers over 1,000 interactive reading comprehension exercises. Learn to think critically, draw inferences, understand the scope and global concepts, find or recall details, and infer meanings of vocabulary words. Find Lesson Plans and Worksheets, too. Get detailed reports to track and analyze progress using percentages, bar graphs, and tables. Sign up with an email, and be sure to know your reading level. Then it is simple: Read the passage, take a quiz, and see the answers and explanations after finishing the quiz. If you are unsure of the appropriate reading level, visit a reading assessment site. Try News in Levels (use Test on the far right of the top menu), reviewed here.
tag(s): blended learning (28), differentiation (82), guided reading (32), Online Learning (33), reading comprehension (144), remote learning (32)
In the Classroom
Take your students to the next level in their reading and reading skills! Sign up students yourself (assigning a password and username). Students can sign up for themselves if they have an email (and school policies permit). The first task is to provide the reading level. Use this site to differentiate reading levels for your students. Use this tool in a blended or remote learning classroom to allow students time to read at their own pace, or set up a learning center for use during your L.A. block. This will allow you one-on-one time to begin the program. In a learning support or remedial reading class, especially at upper levels where "reading" is no longer a regular subject, this tool will allow students some autonomy in improving their skills. It will also let them see progress. Discuss with individual students the questions they answered and where the answers were in the reading, etc. Be sure to save this site in your class favorites and list it on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom. If students cannot have their own email accounts, consider using a "class set" of Gmail subaccounts, explained here; this describes how to set up Gmail subaccounts for any online membership service. Using Gmail subaccounts will provide anonymous interaction within your class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wordsmyth - Wordsmyth
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Keep the dictionary on the shelf and tap into the power of words with Wordsmyth, an online dictionary, thesaurus, and word reference tool. There are three "levels" of readers...more
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Keep the dictionary on the shelf and tap into the power of words with Wordsmyth, an online dictionary, thesaurus, and word reference tool. There are three "levels" of readers included at this site. WILD (Wordsmyth Illustrated Learner's Dictionary) is an online dictionary designed for K-3 early readers (or ENL/ELL students). Each entry includes a written definition with audio available. For older elementary students, try Word Explorer, containing words, synonyms, word mapping ideas, and more. You will also find images and animations for many topics including; the human body, the human mind, everyday life, history and culture, communication, living world, physical world, natural environment, economy, and government and law. The highest level (Comprehensive Dictionary-Thesaurus Suite) includes three reading levels and thousands of images to explore. It also offers definitions at three reading levels (great for differentiating). Outside of the three main references, there is much to explore. The search feature finds words with similar spelling. Use the anagram feature to help to form words with given letters in your Scrabble game. The Crossword Puzzle finds words using key words and the number of letters in a word. If you register (free version, but requires email) you can create and save up to 10 word activities with up to 12 words per activity. Quizmaker makes fill in the blank, matching, and multiple choice quizzes. Design customized glossary pages with the words you choose with your applicable definition. Add the widget to your toolbar, a floating widget, or embed on your school web page. Check the blog for the word of the day, new entries, games, and upcoming teachers' tools, and roots and affixes.
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tag(s): crosswords (21), dictionaries (49), preK (303), quizzes (86), spelling (93), thesaurus (22), vocabulary (249), vocabulary development (100), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Capture your students with the power of words at all levels. Keep this link on your toolbar as a quick reference for easy access to improve reading comprehension and writing word variety. When starting a new content area unit, challenge your gifted students with advanced vocabulary words. In your school library, make this handy reference available for everyone as a bookmark and on your online reference page. In primary grades or with ELL students, bookmark the WILD section for easy access. Share vocabulary words with young students on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Share the word of the day with your students at all levels and explore together. Create your own glossary page for up to 10 teaching units. Provide support for struggling readers or ENL/ELL students by showing them how to access and use this site. Encourage word games such as Scrabble, Upwords, or crossword puzzles, with Wordsmyth as a partner! Share this site on your class website for gifted students to explore at home (or in class) and find new challenging vocabulary to stretch their minds!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Newsela - Matthew Gross
Grades
2 to 12
19 Favorites
2 Comments
Newsela offers four leveled news articles at five reading levels for teachers to choose from. The articles will be available for four weeks; Newsela Lite is free for any teacher ...more
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Newsela offers four leveled news articles at five reading levels for teachers to choose from. The articles will be available for four weeks; Newsela Lite is free for any teacher to access four pre-selected news articles, select and lock reading levels for students, see alignment to state standards, schedule assignments and set due dates, access students' quiz scores, and respond to students' writing prompt submissions and annotations. Many of these features were on the "premium" account until the 2023-2024 school year.
In case you're wondering - Newsela features current events stories tailor-made for classroom use. Click "Products" on the top menu and slide down to browse content in subject areas (social studies, science, etc.). Stories are student-friendly and can be accessed in various formats tailored to different reading levels. Use Newsela to differentiate nonfiction reading. Newspaper writers rewrite a story four times, resulting in a total of five Lexile levels per story. All articles feature embedded Common Core-aligned quizzes that align with reading levels, allowing for checking comprehension, customizable assignments, writing prompts, and annotations. An account is required to use Newsela, both for teachers and students. However, students sign up using a teacher- or parent-provided code rather than an email address. Click the Resources tab at the top to find guides and short webinars. Teachers can create classes and assign reading-level-specific articles to individual students or download printable PDF copies of the article in any of its reading-level versions. There is no outside advertising.
In case you're wondering - Newsela features current events stories tailor-made for classroom use. Click "Products" on the top menu and slide down to browse content in subject areas (social studies, science, etc.). Stories are student-friendly and can be accessed in various formats tailored to different reading levels. Use Newsela to differentiate nonfiction reading. Newspaper writers rewrite a story four times, resulting in a total of five Lexile levels per story. All articles feature embedded Common Core-aligned quizzes that align with reading levels, allowing for checking comprehension, customizable assignments, writing prompts, and annotations. An account is required to use Newsela, both for teachers and students. However, students sign up using a teacher- or parent-provided code rather than an email address. Click the Resources tab at the top to find guides and short webinars. Teachers can create classes and assign reading-level-specific articles to individual students or download printable PDF copies of the article in any of its reading-level versions. There is no outside advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (126), differentiation (82), guided reading (32), independent reading (81), news (222), reading comprehension (144), remote learning (32)
In the Classroom
Achieve two goals here: help students improve their reading comprehension and keep them current with what is happening in our nation and the world. When assigning articles, choose to have the class read at one reading level, or select individuals and set the reading level for them. There are five categories from which to choose. You may want to set up different articles at different learning stations on the computers in your room. Have the students rotate daily through the stations, completing one or two a day until they have completed all five articles. Since Newsela is cloud-based, even students absent from class can easily complete the missed work. If you and your students are teaching and learning remotely, or you have a blended classroom, Newsela will work perfectly for those! Teachers of gifted students can utilize this site to accelerate or enrich their students' reading skills. Find each student's individual levels for reading nonfiction. Teachers of Learning Support and ENL//ESL students will love this alternate way for their students to meet nonfiction/current events requirements.Comments
This is an excellent article. Thanks for sharing this information. Please keep sharing content like this.Cassandra, IL, Grades: 0 - 12
This is an excellent site and allows differentiation while everyone is reading the same text.Renee, NC, Grades: 0 - 5
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TV411 - Reading - Education Development Center, Inc.
Grades
6 to 12
5 Favorites
1 Comments
Find entertaining videos, web lessons, and downloads to support learning about reading comprehension, test prep, and libraries and books at TV411. Each video includes a short description...more
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Find entertaining videos, web lessons, and downloads to support learning about reading comprehension, test prep, and libraries and books at TV411. Each video includes a short description of contents, then just click to view the video. Below the video text includes skills addressed. For example, the video Dorothea Lange, Photographer addresses the skill of reading pictures. Skills addressed include summarizing, point of view, newspapers, highlighting, and study skills. Most videos are approximately three to five minutes long and include links to related web lessons and print-ables to download. Although this site was originally created for adult English language learners, it would be useful with all secondary students.
tag(s): context clues (5), maps (222), news (222), newspapers (89), poetry (192), point of view (8), summarizing (25), word study (58)
In the Classroom
View videos on your interactive whiteboard as part of your reading comprehension or study skills unit. Use on an as-needed basis to address classroom deficiencies in particular areas. Have students complete the web lessons on their own during computer center time. Create links to certain videos on your class website or blog for students to view at home. Check out the Teachers portion of the site to find activities for improving or introducing skills along with ideas for using the videos in the classroom. Challenge students to create a talking avatar using a photo or other image (legally permitted to be reproduced). The avatars can be used to provide suggestions for study skills and improving reading comprehension. Use a site such as Phrase.it, reviewed here.Comments
This is an excellent site with a variety of short videos for concept instruction.Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12
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ESL Games World - eslgamesworld.com
Grades
1 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
ESL Game World is the place to go for interactives, PowerPoint activities and templates, printable board games, ESL/ELL games for kids and adults, grammar games, vocabulary challenges,...more
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ESL Game World is the place to go for interactives, PowerPoint activities and templates, printable board games, ESL/ELL games for kids and adults, grammar games, vocabulary challenges, and reading activities. Some of the featured activities include Snakes and Ladders, Hangman, and Wheel of Fortune games/templates. Some spelling appears to be different from Standard American English. Check to be sure. Avoid the online store section to stay with free activities.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): grammar (140), grammar review (33), verbs (25), vocabulary (249)
In the Classroom
This website contains many ads, demonstrate avoiding the advertisements with your students before assigning or using any of the activities. Find ways to assist your ESL/ELL students in an engaging way! You can also use many of the games to reinforce basic skills with native speakers. Customize some of the activities for the content areas you are studying. Use as a whole class activity on your projector (or interactive whiteboard) to practice vocabulary, grammar, and content. Add as a resource for ESL/ELL learning or even struggling readers. Ideas and materials are gathered in one spot to help you reduce the time you need to meet your ESL/ELL students' differentiated needs. Add this link to your class website or share it with parents as a resource.
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ReadWorks - ReadWorks.org
Grades
K to 12
8 Favorites
0 Comments
ReadWorks provides a free, research-based, and Common Core-aligned reading comprehension curriculum. Click Explore Content from the top menu to search through hundreds of lesson plans...more
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ReadWorks provides a free, research-based, and Common Core-aligned reading comprehension curriculum. Click Explore Content from the top menu to search through hundreds of lesson plans organized by grade level, topic, or titles. Register to download materials and save lessons to your folder. (A valid email and password is required). Be sure to start with the Teacher Guide to see all the many features ReadWorks offers about using and teaching the provided lessons and differentiation. For a quick start, click Explore Content then select options from the left menu: Text Options - Reading Passages, Aritcle a Day, and Paired Text, Curriculum Support, Grade, Topic, Text Types - Nonfiction, Fiction, or Poetry, and Lexile. There are thousands of reading passages along with question sets to support learning activities for grades K-12. Each selection contains the text with audio, a vocabulary link, and a questions set. In the left margin, you will find related resources such as standards and related materials.
Teachers can create classes to assign reading and track assessments (which are automatically graded). After signing up with email, click on Admin from the top menu and create a class. Students join the class by using a code and their Google account. No Google account? No problem. Create a roster and provide the class code to students. Easily create assignments for the whole class, or individuals as a way to differentiate. This is a perfect tool to use for remote (or distance) teaching and learning!
tag(s): characterization (18), context clues (5), figurative language (19), guided reading (32), main idea (8), parts of speech (39), plot (15), point of view (8), reading comprehension (144), reading strategies (92), sequencing (18), Teacher Utilities (199), themes (16), vocabulary (249)
In the Classroom
Show students how to sign up and log in to ReadWorks using a projector or interactive whiteboard. Complete a sample assignment together. Use ReadWorks in blended learning or flipped classrooms leaving class time for asking questions and clarifying. Post the link on your website and consider assigning the Article-A-Day for at home reading. Rotate the subjects weekly and discuss the topic the next day in class. Consider using a back-channel tool such as GoSoapBox, for the discussion, so even your quiet and shy students feel comfortable participating, and you can get analytics after the discussion. Teachers of all subjects, but especially science and social studies, can find topics for students to read for their subject. Then challenge students to research the topic further. Differentiation can be accomplished easily by assigning to individual students, or you can create multiple classes, which would actually be small groups, who read at the same level or have the same topic interest. Once the students are familiar with the site use Nearpod, reviewed here to assign reading to groups at the same reading level. Older students, once they know their reading level, can their select reading. Check these to make sure students include all types of reading, and that they are challenging themselves. After several selections, ask older students to choose the topic they were most interested in, find resources to learn more about the topic, then extend their learning by presenting their findings using a multimedia tool such as (click on the tool name to access the review): Canva Infographic Maker, "Marq (Lucidpress), "Powtoon", or "Adobe Express Video Maker.
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Introducing Text Structures in Writing (5th Grade) - Utah Education Network
Grades
4 to 6
9 Favorites
0 Comments
Introducing Text Structures in Writing is a comprehensive lesson plan to introduce the idea that science writing organizes in identifiable patterns called text structures. Common Core...more
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Introducing Text Structures in Writing is a comprehensive lesson plan to introduce the idea that science writing organizes in identifiable patterns called text structures. Common Core Reading/LA Standards focus on these text structures in informational texts. Use the provided links to many materials such as word cards, sentence strips, definitions, and graphic organizers to print materials in PDF format. Lists include suggested books for different text structures such as sequence, description, and compare and contrast. Use extension and assessment ideas as additions to the lesson plan. Although labeled for 5th grade, this lesson would be appropriate for use in any classroom learning to read and understand non-fiction and informational text.
tag(s): process writing (35), reading comprehension (144), reading strategies (92), sequencing (18), writers workshop (31), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Print materials included with this lesson and use as an addition to a current writing and reading comprehension units. This would make an excellent addition to standardized test preparations to help students analyze and assess readings provided during testing. Extend this lesson beyond science texts. Use lesson components and ideas for social studies and all other non-fiction reading materials.
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