TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Dec 19, 2021
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
What a Character! Using Fictional Characters to Help Students Fall in Love with Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (165), characterization (19), critical thinking (121)
In the Classroom
Include books from this list on your recommended books list to share with students. Engage students further by using Use Padlet, reviewed here to create student-produced short book reviews. Create a topic for each book title, then ask students to share a review of the book creatively using the site's tools to add text, stickers, incorporate a whiteboard, and more. This is a link to Padlet's Help section for posting video or an image.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Reading Treks - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12TeachersFirst...more
TeachersFirst Reading Treks are built using Google Maps to chronicle the journey that a story character takes over the course of a book. Each stop along the way adds to student comprehension as they explore the information, visuals, and videos embedded in the map. Give your students context for the stories they are reading by using Reading Treks in your lessons. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how to use Reading Treks in the classroom; 2. Learn how Reading Treks are created; and 3. Plan a new Reading Trek you will create for your instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): literacy (120), professional development (405), reading comprehension (150), reading strategies (103)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachersFirst Reading Treks - Make Learning a Journey - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): independent reading (86), maps (212), reading comprehension (150), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
These units are perfect for use with a whole-class novel, literature circles, or individual reading! Ask students to keep a journal about what they are reading and learning. Replace traditional paper and pen journals using an easy virtual journaling tool such as Penzu, reviewed here. With Penzu you can add images or your own artwork as illustrations. If you are conducting literature circles a good tool to use for small group assignments and communication is Asana, reviewed here, or Canvas Free LMS, reviewed here. For students or student groups to share their book with their peers, challenge them to enhance their learning and design an interactive multimedia poster using Genially, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Toppsta - Georgina Atwell
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (165), independent reading (86), preK (267), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students as a resource for finding books for independent reading. Include a link on your class website or blog for access at home. Present a new book each week to students on your interactive whiteboard or share your wishlist with your school's media center to include with book orders. After reading reviews, enhance student learning by having students create a video sharing their own book reviews. Use Adobe Creative Cloud Express Video Maker, reviewed here, for this video project. Have students or groups share their own book suggestions using Dotstorming, reviewed here. Dotstorming creates free online bulletin boards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Classroom Bookshelf - Mary Ann Cappiello, Erika Dawes, Grace Enriquez & K Cunningham
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): blogs (65), book lists (165), literacy (120), literature (219), preK (267), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
Every teacher will want to bookmark this site as a resource for book ideas throughout the school year. Be sure to share this site with your school's media teacher for finding new materials to add to your school library. Search to find books on any topic or subject to use in your classroom library. Create a classroom center with books found through this blog. Don't forget to look through the many excellent classroom teaching ideas. Create a link to The Classroom Bookshelf on your class website for parents; they will appreciate the many book ideas to read at home. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create video book reviews using a tool like Moovly, reviewed here, or Powtoon, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Epic! For Educators - Suren Markosian and Kevin Donahue
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (125), DAT device agnostic tool (146), ebooks (42), movies (54), reading lists (77), video (264)
In the Classroom
Create your free educator account and share with students as part of your reading activities. Adjust reading preferences and profiles as students increase skills or change interest in reading materials. Be sure to share with parents to use at home. What a wonderful, engaging way to keep students accountable for reading at home and for remote learning.Comments
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BookBub - Josh Schanker
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): book lists (165), independent reading (86), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
Sign up for BookBub and receive daily emails with book excerpts. Share the excerpts with your class as a way to hook some students into reading or to offer book suggestions. Use the emails as an example of a service that students may want to try. A valid email is required to join this site. Read TeachersFirst tips for safely managing email registrations here. Substitute oral book recommendations by having students choose an interesting excerpt from a book they are reading and share with it others via email or on your classroom blog or website. Be sure to have students use the title and author in the subject line! This will also provide a record for those looking for a new book.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Planet Publish - Planet Publish
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): literacy (120), literature (219), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
When studying the classics, and using close reading techniques, pull up your PDF copy of the ebook to project on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use short passages to determine your literature circles. Read part of a story, and have students write the ending of the scene. Download to computers at centers for center time. Add to your classroom website to have ample reading material available for your students. Challenge your gifted students to read as many classics as possible. Locate classics to compliment your study of time, era, or author.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What Should I Read Next? - Thoughtplay Ltd.
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): book lists (165), reading lists (77)
In the Classroom
Refer students to this site when they are enthusiastic about any particular book. They will be delighted to find an extensive list of similar books. If your school policies allow students to register at sites, they can keep a list of favorites. Or, use a class email to register and keep a list of favorite titles your class has read. Provide this link on your class website for students (and parents) to access at home and find some "new reads."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Rockets - WETA Washington D.C.
Grades
1 to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): authors (105), book lists (165), dyslexia (11), literacy (120), literature (219), parents (60), phonics (51), reading comprehension (150), reading lists (77), reading strategies (103), speech (68), spelling (98)
In the Classroom
Reading Rockets is a fantastic resource for teachers, librarians, parents, and principals. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter for the latest information, blogs, thoughts, and ideas for teaching reading. Use this website as a resource for your classroom, library, or even with you school action committees. Provide a link to this site on your class webpage. Install widgets for reading, and find the latest apps to support literacy. Join reading blogs, and add widgets to make your reading strategies complete. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Oxford Owl Reading - Oxford University Press
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): independent reading (86), preK (267), reading lists (77), reading strategies (103)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce one of the free online books on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Then encourage students to use it individually or in pairs. Refer your ENL/ESL and learning support students to this site for extra, assisted reading practice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Audio Books Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): audio books (26), listening (92), preK (267)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your professional favorites AND share it on a class web page for access by students and parents. The helpful reviews suggest ideas for ways to use the audio books in the classroom or outside of school to reinforce literacy skills, improve English skills, or study literature in new ways.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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