Reading Strategies Resources from TeachersFirst

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This collection of reviewed resources includes teaching ideas and sites to promote proven reading strategies of effective readers. Find engaging texts to use as your class focuses on a particular strategy as well as professional resources to improve your own understanding of this research-based approach to building literacy skills. Don't miss "In the classroom" ideas for specific projects or ideas for before, during, and after reading.

 

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Technology and Reading Ebooks in Education - Drs.Cavanaugh

Grades
K to 12
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Find a comprehensive list of sources for eBooks and ways to use them. Dr. Terry Cavanaugh has a wide variety of information dedicated to using eBooks in the classroom. Find ...more
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Find a comprehensive list of sources for eBooks and ways to use them. Dr. Terry Cavanaugh has a wide variety of information dedicated to using eBooks in the classroom. Find links for online libraries, news, blogs, history, platforms, features, accommodations, samples, and borrowing guidelines. A section entitled educational applications, features creating eBooks with PowerPoint, digital Big Books, and eBooks in higher education. Classroom lesson ideas along with reading strategies help you incorporate eBooks into your curriculum. A link to the Florida recommended eBook list is also given. Find advice on video book talks, Book trading with eBooks, and an online Book cataloging library resource tool. A section for books promoting eBooks use in the classrooms lists resources to make you proficient. Find samples for creating eBooks to fit into your own classroom needs.

tag(s): audio books (19), ebooks (14)

In the Classroom

Capture your student's interest in technology and reading with eBooks. Join the latest craze to promote life long reading. Join blogs to see what other teachers are doing. Use as a parent resource to help promote interest. Use as background information while writing grants or proposals for technology grants. Be sure to investigate the variety of classroom ideas for using technology and eBooks.

Consider incorporating technology into your literature circles. You might want to start with a whole class novel, having students listen to certain chapters using an eBook. Have the "discussion director" for the group post questions on Edmodo reviewed here with the understanding that they may answer the questions on Edmodo, but these are "discussion starters" for the circle meeting in class.

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Resources for Teaching Reading-TWRC - Julie Niles Petersen

Grades
K to 12
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TWRC, (the pronunciation rhymes with work), is the acronym for this reading specialist's teacher blog. It stands for think, wonder, reflect, connect, and refine. Like...more
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TWRC, (the pronunciation rhymes with work), is the acronym for this reading specialist's teacher blog. It stands for think, wonder, reflect, connect, and refine. Like most blogs, posts are frequently updated and include articles and reviews, workshop and conference information, notes, and summaries, philosophies, and ideas for lesson plans. Since the author is a teacher, the topics are current and highly relevant to what is actually going on in education, such as "Why and How to Motivate a Reluctant Reader" and "Revisiting Silent Reading-New Directions for Teachers and Researchers."

tag(s): literacy (101), reading strategies (15)

In the Classroom

Keep up to date with fresh ideas and new twists on tried and true methods for effective strategies to hook kids on books and help them become life-long readers. When it comes to teaching reading, there are still so many unanswered questions. Add the technology component, and the answers to those questions keep getting better. So...what are you waiting for? Sign-up for a free email subscription to this ad-free blog and start "TWRCing."
 This resource requires Adobe Flash.

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Professor Garfield Comics Lab - Paws

Grades
3 to 10
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Professor Garfield Comics Lab is much more than a simple comic creator. As the name implies, this site is a little more academic. Here you will find reading strategies for ...more
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Professor Garfield Comics Lab is much more than a simple comic creator. As the name implies, this site is a little more academic. Here you will find reading strategies for the emergent reader, phonemic awareness games, a multi-player trivia game covering science, literature, history and pop culture. You will also find a creative writing program with video lessons and instruction on art skills. There is far too much at this site to be able to describe it here, so be sure to check out the "Teachers Lounge." AND, you can still create a comic strip or even a graphic novel! You can print or save your comic to your computer for uploading to your wiki. Learn more about wiki's here. All you need to save is a username; no e-mail is required, unless you want to use the Comics Lab Extreme, which does require an e-mail.

tag(s): comics and cartoons (51), drawing (58), reading strategies (15)

In the Classroom

There are so many ways to use this site! After introducing a feature from this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector, set up a learning station with a computer ready to play one of the phonics games for younger students. Older students can watch a video about how to draw cartoons; there are several from which to pick! Ask your older students to read through the very creative and thorough tutorial for Comics Lab Extreme, and then form small groups of students to create a story of an historic person, an advertisement for a curriculum topic being studied, or demonstrate the meaning of a word using Comics Lab Extreme. Don't miss the many other comic-creation tools from the TeachersFirst collectionfound here.
  This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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TeachersFirst's Study Skills Resources - TeachersFirst

Grades
3 to 12
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This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help students learn their most effective study strategies. The collection includes specific study tools, reading...more
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This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help students learn their most effective study strategies. The collection includes specific study tools, reading strategies, review ideas, and notetaking methods that students and teachers can try as lessons in themselves or --even better-- as they go about the regular curriculum. Whether you want to use a graphic organizer, create your own electronic flash cards, or simply learn how to approach a test, there is a resource to help. Learning Support teachers and teachers of gifted will also want to share these alternate ways for students to organize and retain concepts, vocabulary, and more.

In the Classroom

Make learning how to learn part of your class routine at any grade level and in any subject. Feature one or more new study strategy each month and share this entire list as a link from your class web page for students and parents to access both in and out of school.

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Reading Strategies for All Ages - Jen Farr

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K to 12
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This collection of reading strategies will make you feel like you just hit the jackpot for the best ways to teach reading strategies that are sometimes difficult to explain or ...more
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This collection of reading strategies will make you feel like you just hit the jackpot for the best ways to teach reading strategies that are sometimes difficult to explain or for students to grasp and apply. This site is full of activities directly linked to printable guidelines and worksheets. Better yet, there are Power Point Presentations and Videos in ready-to-show formats all organized, described, and available from the home page. You will find a wide variety suitable from elementary to secondary, earmarked by grade levels, as well as ideas for how and when to use them effectively. Whether you are searching for a fresh approach to the tried and true, such as brainstorming or think aloud strategies, or for more innovative approaches, such as interactive notebooks or sociograms, you will be delighted with this discovery.

tag(s): brain (44), brainstorming (12), reading strategies (15)

In the Classroom

Save this site in your favorites on your class computer or TeachersFirst membership. Open the doors to engage students in the active reading process to enhance levels of comprehension between the text and the reader. The flexible framework lets you choose to use any of the strategies as a stand-alone, ready-to-present on the interactive whiteboard, or as a lesson for whole class viewing. Many familiar literary works are used as examples, or you may easily apply the strategy to any literary work that your class is currently reading. Videos and Power Points for modeling and practicing the strategies are embedded, so all you have to do is click to start and let them work their magic. Follow up by downloading the printable study guides, graphic organizers, and other handouts to use before, during, and after reading.
  This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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English Online France:Free online ESL / EFL Academic Reading and Writing Exercises - Glenys Hanson and Fiona Robertson, et. al.

Grades
4 to 12
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Although this site is constructed for students who are learning English, the language and the writing, it is a great site for all students who need practice in such skills ...more
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Although this site is constructed for students who are learning English, the language and the writing, it is a great site for all students who need practice in such skills as writing paragraphs, listening skills, word choice, reading strategies for academic texts, and reading for thinking. Almost all of the links include interactive exercises which allow students to work independently, testing themselves as they go. The site includes tutorials, self-quizzes, and more. There are links to podcasts, videos, songs, "Grammar Safaris," and many other English topics. If you go to Internet Resources (the link is found at the top of the page), you will find addition subject areas: Business English, Science and Technology, Reading, Art, and others. There is also a link to Primary Level. Go there to find interactive flashcards, online stories, and printable pages, and much more.

Be sure to check out the videos, which include commercials from the 1960s! Many of the video and audio features require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

tag(s): vocabulary (251), writing (292)

In the Classroom

This site has so much to offer, the possibilities are endless. Obviously, this site is handy with ESL and ELL students. But there is SO much here to explore for teachers of elementary (social studies or language arts), AND secondary teachers trying to reinforce grammar skills, connect history and writing, and more.

Share portions of this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. With primary students, set up learning stations. Have cooperative learning groups explore the site together. Have groups investigate a specific area of this site and create a multimedia presentation to share with the class: wiki, blog entry, podcast, online book, or video. Need some "technology tips?" How about having students create a podcast using Podomatic (reviewed here). Share the "student-created" videos on a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here). Have students write online books using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here.
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Reading For All - TeachersFirst

Grades
K to 12
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This TeachersFirst professional page includes extensive resources for Reading in the Content Areas, Graphic Organizers, Reading Strategies, Vocabulary Development, Elementary Reading,...more
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This TeachersFirst professional page includes extensive resources for Reading in the Content Areas, Graphic Organizers, Reading Strategies, Vocabulary Development, Elementary Reading, independent reading, and special topics reading lists. The page also includes a link for you to purchase books from Amazon and have TeachersFirst receive a portion of the proceeds. TeachersFirst is a free service of a non-profit since 1998. Why not shop through this link to help TeachersFirst continue its service to teachers worldwide?

tag(s): amazon (11), area (28)

In the Classroom

No matter what you teach, these resources will help you target reading and study skills for better comprehension and more.

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Adolescent Literacy - 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. A sister site to Reading Rockets and Colorin'Colorado, Adlit...more
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The focus of this site is to encourage better literacy and reading enjoyment among pre-teens and adolescents. A sister site to Reading Rockets and Colorin'Colorado, Adlit offers summer reading strategies, book lists, book clubs, classroom technique hints which encourage development of reading attack skills, and a special section on authors and their best books. For a Spanish language version of the main topics available as an A to Z list, click on the left side of the screen ( En Espanol ). This site has everything you already know about teaching reading in easy-to-use formats. This site requires Flash and Adobe Acrobat. Get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

tag(s): authors (73), independent reading (45), reading strategies (15)

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.
  This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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Imagination Cafe Online Magazine - Rosanne Tolin

Grades
2 to 6
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Can't afford classroom magazine subscriptions? Check into this original online magazine for children ages 7-12. As its name implies, the articles, games, tunes, recipes, career center,...more
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Can't afford classroom magazine subscriptions? Check into this original online magazine for children ages 7-12. As its name implies, the articles, games, tunes, recipes, career center, and much more-- feed the imagination of youth. The feel of the magazine is positive, such as the celebrity interviews, articles on careers, contests, and quirky quizzes. The magazine has lively colors and easy access the different sections. It's all free. One note of caution: This magazine has a bulletin board for "dishing." Sign-in, with password, is required for its use, and may need monitoring. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

tag(s): careers (78), interviews (13)

In the Classroom

Include this site on your class web page or newsletter. Use selected articles in class to teach main idea or reading strategies on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Parents would appreciate knowing about this engaging place on the 'net for their children. Students are invited to submit articles or comments in several places in the magazine. Encourage your students to participate in online publication possibilities at this site -- with written parent permission, of course!
  This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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Wee Ones Magazine - Jennifer Reed

Grades
K to 4
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This free, bi-monthly, online magazine offers an abundance of reading and activities to keep a child occupied during those long summer days or as an after school chill-out. While not...more
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This free, bi-monthly, online magazine offers an abundance of reading and activities to keep a child occupied during those long summer days or as an after school chill-out. While not intentionally made for the classroom market, many teachers use it for additional reading practice. Articles ranges from non-fiction, to fiction, to poetry and author interviews. Emma's Bookcase features book reviews, and one free book is given away in each issue. Articles and stories equate to those found in Highlights, so they may be viewed without concern about appropriateness.

In the Classroom

These texts would also be easy to display on an interactive whiteboard and use to teach about main idea, summarizing, or reading strategies using the whiteboard tools. Put this link on your teacher web page for students to practice reading in the classroom or at home. To get an exact reading level, you may want to cut and paste a section of an article and submit it to an online reading level analyzer .
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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Penguin Classics Teachers' Guides - Penguin Books Ltd.

Grades
8 to 12
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From the UK, this site offers valuable teacher resources and ideas for teaching some classic literature. Penguin and Signet Classics Teaching Guides comprise a variety of activities...more
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From the UK, this site offers valuable teacher resources and ideas for teaching some classic literature. Penguin and Signet Classics Teaching Guides comprise a variety of activities and discussion questions to stimulate your students' reactions and responses to the classic literature they are studying. Some of the approaches offered are different than past book company offers, so this is really worth a look. All of the guides feature before-during-after reading ideas and vocabulary lists that mesh well with current research on effective reading strategies. The list of books/lessons available includes: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
Persuasion by Jane Austen
A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Odyssey by Homer
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Othello by William Shakespeare
Richard III by William Shakespeare
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

tag(s): literature (185), shakespeare (134)

In the Classroom

As you prepare to teach one of these classics, don't miss this helpful resource, even if you use a different publisher's edition of the works! If you have highly-able students preparing on their own for the AP tests, these guides could help a motivated student recap works they read in the past or guide themselves through independent reading of the works.

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This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics - U.S. Geological Survey

Grades
7 to 12
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This site provides an organized and user-friendly explanation of the history of plate tectonics as described by the U.S. Geological Survey. It includes a lot of detailed information...more
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This site provides an organized and user-friendly explanation of the history of plate tectonics as described by the U.S. Geological Survey. It includes a lot of detailed information as well as photographs and diagrams. This site has some tough reading depending on the reading level of the user. Allow plenty of time to take in all of the information.

tag(s): earth (175), earthquakes (34), geology (62), plate tectonics (23), volcanoes (45)

In the Classroom

This site is useful as a supplement to a geology unit or for review. Include it on your teacher web page for students to access both in and out of class. It is also a great reference tool when preparing your lesson plans. This is a great site to use when teaching about informational text(s). Open it on an interactive whiteboard and review reading strategies using highlighters and pens as you learn about plate tectonics.

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Language Arts Presentations - Jefferson County Schools

Grades
K to 12
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Wow - this website provides ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations on over 100 topics. The presentations were created by teachers - for teachers to use in their classrooms. This website...more
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Wow - this website provides ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations on over 100 topics. The presentations were created by teachers - for teachers to use in their classrooms. This website organizes topics by general grade levels (K-5 and 6-12). Just to give you a taste of the uniqueness of these presentations, topics include such diverse topics as Shakespeare, "grammar goofs," active reading strategies, haunted house graphic organizer, phonics millionaire game, pronouns, and numerous others. Any language arts teacher is guaranteed to find something useful at this website. Do yourself a favor and check it out! You may need PowerPoint software to be able to view these files, depending on how the site creators save them. Note: while files are downloading, it may appear that nothing is happening and that the links are dead. Look for a tiny "downloading" icon in the lower left corner of your screen, and please be patient!

tag(s): air (181), grammar (169), narrative (16), shakespeare (134)

In the Classroom

Try these ready-to-go PowerPoint presentations on an interactive whiteboard or projector in your classroom. Some may also be well-suited for individual students to run on a single classroom computer for remediation or review. There are games, resources and a lot of information. The site includes a disclaimer asking to be notified if users find any copyrighted material. TeachersFirst recommends that you NOT download copies but instead use them online, just in case.

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CAST UDL Book Builder - CAST

Grades
K to 12
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This fabulous, FREE online tool allows you to create your own interactive "books" to help young readers learn reading strategies to build comprehension. The tool allows you to enter...more
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This fabulous, FREE online tool allows you to create your own interactive "books" to help young readers learn reading strategies to build comprehension. The tool allows you to enter your own text, images, and hints. The finished product is a very polished-looking book in a form that you can save on your computer or burn to a CD and use over and over and over with students for years to come.

Be sure to try the model books and read the tips for writers and illustrators. Take the time to learn the tool. Click to see a sample we made for you and placed on our site.

tag(s): reading strategies (15)

In the Classroom

Locate or create your own copyright-free text and images for which you have the rights to make more than one copy (Fair Use does not apply!). Copy/paste the text and resize/upload the images--following simple directions to create the pages and accompanying hints. Be sure to learn about the three interactive characters who teach the strategies! Publish and download the files of the finished "books" and save on your computer. Extract the zipped files and save locally, on your network, or burn to CD so your students can access them directly.

The uses of this one are endless. If you take the time to get permission from the publisher to use text from some of your textbooks or reading books, you could create interactive versions to use in your classroom or with special ed students. More simply, use student-written stories and artwork (scanned -- or created in Paint) to create the "book." Imagine creating a class "book" at the end of a unit on Communities or Animals, and including images you take with your digital camera. If you copy the CD's, students could sign out the "book" and read it to relatives using their home computer. You can keep the "library" of past books to help future classes. Or ask your middle/high school or gifted students to create books as writing/service project for struggling readers to use.

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Bookpal's Storyline Online - Screen Actors Guild Foundation

Grades
1 to 6
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This wonderful site has a collection of 17 original stories read by actors and actresses. A wonderful way to show children that reading is valued by folks in all walks ...more
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This wonderful site has a collection of 17 original stories read by actors and actresses. A wonderful way to show children that reading is valued by folks in all walks of life! An example is "Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy" read by Jason Alexander. Many of the story titles are parodies of famous tales. Users can see the actor holding the book and turning the pages as he hears and sees the story being read. Accompanying activities and an activity guide complete the offerings. The activities are terrific comprehension checkers and build solid reading strategies. The video is available in three screen sizes. Flash required.

In the Classroom

Make the stories a center or use a projector for the whole class to watch the video. Then share the link on your teacher web page for students to repeat it over and over at home. Make sure your spakers are turned up!
 This resource requires Adobe Flash.

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TogetheRead - TeachersAndFamilies.com

Grades
K to 12
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Share family reading and activities around a monthly theme using this outstanding series by our partner site, TeachersAndFamilies. Interwoven into each TogetheRead theme are questions...more
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Share family reading and activities around a monthly theme using this outstanding series by our partner site, TeachersAndFamilies. Interwoven into each TogetheRead theme are questions and activities based on reading strategies for effective readers. Parents and children of all ages can select books from the annotated lists, read together, and do related free or low-cost activities. Written in language understandable to parents and without education "jargon" so familiar to teachers, these themes will help any child become a a better reader and enjoy sharing family time. Books are grouped into "bands": preschool/picture books, early elementary, upper elementary to middle school, upper middle school to young adult, and mature teen to adult books. Activities accompany each age group, and participants can contribute their own activity suggestions, as well.

Libraries, schools, parent organizations, and teachers will find free, downloadable materials to promote good reading and family time. They can also sign up to receive advanced notice of upcoming themes to be able to locate the books for their families. There is even an FAQ-style page to help parents get started. Sound reading strategies help EVERY child!

In the Classroom

Share this link on your teacher web page or in a newsletter. You might even talk to your parent organization about promoting TogetheReads as a whole-school activity. Maybe even host a TogetheRead family evening in the gym or library.

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Takako's Great Adventure - Brian Rhodes

Grades
4 to 6
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A story in 10 serial units for ESL students leads a newcomer to Canada and the English-speaking world through the agonies of arrival, acculturation, education in a new setting, and...more
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A story in 10 serial units for ESL students leads a newcomer to Canada and the English-speaking world through the agonies of arrival, acculturation, education in a new setting, and making friends. Text offers vocabulary definition through hyperlinks; audio version is available with a Shockwave plugin. (Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.) Besides the story, vocabulary, and pronunciation, sets of comprehension questions include work on word meanings and online reviews and quizzes which make use of standard reading attack skills. The stories are available in PDF downloads as well as on screen at the left. Audio files are available for MP3 downloads also.

tag(s): listening (69), vocabulary (251)

In the Classroom

Use the stoies for ESl students to increase understanding or for your weak readers to develop reading strategies such as vocabulary development and comprehension. MP3 files offer the option of putting the stories on MP3 players for ESL students to listen to on the bus or at home.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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Learning Resources - literacyworks

Grades
5 to 8
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This site, intended to help build comprehension and current events knowledge, contains a "current story" from CNN San Francisco bureau and CBS 5 - KPIX (CBS Broadcasting) news stories....more
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This site, intended to help build comprehension and current events knowledge, contains a "current story" from CNN San Francisco bureau and CBS 5 - KPIX (CBS Broadcasting) news stories. From the archives, you can select a story for your students to read (abridged or complete), listen to, or view a brief video. Although this site is designed for use in adult literacy, its flexibility and reading skills options (vocabulary, word selection, multiple choice, sequencing, and conclusions)support comprehension activities. Because the stories are offered in two forms, you can easily differentiate instruction. Students can also view an outline of the story before or after they listen/read. Homework suggestions and follow-up links lead students to more information.

tag(s): news (130)

In the Classroom

Include this as an option if you require current events reports or are working on content reading to reinforce good reading strategies. You can build entire lessons around the activities, done on a projector, individual computers, or an interactive whiteboard. Click "Current story" to tart the activities.

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Reading Strategies: Scaffolding Students' Interactions with Texts - Greece (NY) Central School District

Grades
6 to 12
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Find resources for teaching and modeling MANY reading strategies in your classroom, including handouts for graphic organizers and vocabulary development, all from this school-district...more
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Find resources for teaching and modeling MANY reading strategies in your classroom, including handouts for graphic organizers and vocabulary development, all from this school-district site. Each strategy is explained and classified as before, during, or after reading and then linked to further information. This is a one-stop shop for teachers in every content area, as well as those reinforcing study skills for learning support students and helping students prepare for standardized testing. Each strategy includes suggestions for how to differentiate instruction, as well.

tag(s): graphic organizers (30), reading strategies (15)

In the Classroom

Give students links from your teacher web page directly to the graphic organizer they must complete for homework. Then there is no excuse such as having the dog eat it! Files are all Acrobat files, and Acrobat Reader is a free download.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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Current Events Lesson Plans - Sean Banville

Grades
3 to 8
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Find excellent multi-skill topical social studies lessons based on current news appropriate for limited English speakers, slow readers, and average students alike! This site offers...more
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Find excellent multi-skill topical social studies lessons based on current news appropriate for limited English speakers, slow readers, and average students alike! This site offers a new comprehensive lesson plan about breaking news every three days or so. The site is rich with pre-reading and pre-listening activities, oral and written comprehension exercises, assignments, and best of all, the option of selecting the easy or more difficult session and accompanying activities.

tag(s): listening (69), news (130)

In the Classroom

All news stories are offered in multiple forms: auditory (can be downloaded as a podcast or played on your computer, equipped with speakers), word document, pdf, and on the web page itself. You can play the auditory version for the class or use the print forms to reinforce reading strategies while differentiating using the "easy" and "harder" versions.

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