Ideas and resources to help parents support reading
This collection includes handouts and web resources to share with parents in support of reading at home. There are also great tools to use in classroom projects students can create as part of a reading activity. Be sure to read "In the Classroom" portions of reviews for loads of ideas. Invite parents to see the projects online so your students can revisit them and reinforce learning at home. Reading is everywhere!
47 Results | sort by:
Storytime with Ryan & Craig - Ryan Lagod & Craig Tovey
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (151), stories and storytelling (50), video (262)
In the Classroom
Use the videos on this channel to bring stories to life in your classroom and provide examples of expressive reading. After reading picture books and watching videos, incorporate Readers Theater activities to enhance reading and literacy skills. Find many ideas and tips for Readers Theater by visiting Literacy Connections, reviewed here and selecting the link to Readers Theater. Record students' performances and share on SchoolTube, reviewed here to share with family members and watch over and over again!You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Literacy at Home: Digital Children's Reading Initiative - NC Dept of Public Instruction
Grades
K to 5tag(s): fluency (25), literacy (116), phonics (50), preK (263), reading comprehension (148), science of reading (37), vocabulary (238)
In the Classroom
This site is a must-add to any elementary teacher's toolbox. Use this resource to find resources and information on reading skills at all elementary levels, then use the information to differentiate and enhance reading instruction. For below-level readers, find information and resources to remediate reading skills, and for advanced readers, use this site to find activities that promote further reading growth. Share information from this site with parents to use as a guide to understanding reading skills by grade level and find resources supporting their students. Include this information in your class newsletter or on your class website. Curate and share resources with parents using Symbaloo, reviewed here to make all information accessible in one location.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
ReadM - ReadM
Grades
K to 4tag(s): artificial intelligence (146), digital reading (19), fluency (25), literacy (116), multilingual (69), reading comprehension (148), reading strategies (102), Teacher Utilities (159)
In the Classroom
Use ReadM to engage and support new readers and to assist multilingual learners of any age. Include ReadM as a literacy center for students to practice reading skills and assign different reading levels to differentiate instruction as needed. Enhance student learning by using Read Ahead, reviewed here to create a guided reading activity. Share ReadM with parents to use as a reading practice tool at home or to demonstrate reading progress as demonstrated on the teacher dashboard. Extend learning using some of the many available literacy resources and interactives on Class Tools, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Ladder of Reading & Writing - Nancy Young
Grades
K to 12tag(s): literacy (116), professional development (408), reading strategies (102), science of reading (37), writing (323)
In the Classroom
Use these documents for professional use to help understand the components of literacy. In addition, these items also provide excellent information to use with parents when discussing their student's literacy journey. For example, use the first document with the literacy ladder to provide perspective during parent/teacher conferences on students' progress toward becoming effortless readers. Finally, share with peers during professional development activities to develop an awareness of structured reading components and assess your current teaching strategies. Use a collaborative tool like Notejoy, reviewed here, to share ideas and plan lessons. Consider sharing literacy terms and strategies with parents on an ongoing basis through your school website or classroom newsletter. Include ideas for parents to incorporate at home to support reading skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Why Phonological Awareness is Important to Reading - Glean Education
Grades
K to 6tag(s): literacy (116), phonics (50), preK (263), professional development (408), science of reading (37)
In the Classroom
Include this podcast with your other bookmarks and professional development resources for literacy instruction. Share with peers during professional development activities. Use information from this podcast and others to share the research behind literacy instruction methods with parents. Consider adding a short section to your class newsletter or website each month that includes information about literacy research and tips for at-home activities to encourage the practice of literacy skills at home. Find many free books, games, and activities to share with parents at We Read, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
How Our Brains Learn to Read - EAB District Leadership Forum
Grades
K to 6tag(s): brain (56), literacy (116), professional development (408), reading comprehension (148), reading strategies (102), science of reading (37)
In the Classroom
Save this document as a resource for sharing information on reading and literacy with parents. Consider adding this printable and additional PDF documents to create a digital book using PDF to Flipbook Convereter, reviewed here. Include basic information on different literacy elements and suggestions for at-home activities for parents in your digital book.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Classroom Strategies - Reading Rockets
Grades
K to 6tag(s): fluency (25), persuasive writing (57), phonics (50), reading comprehension (148), reading strategies (102), writing (323)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site as an excellent resource for teaching literacy and reading. Use a tool like 3x3 Links, reviewed here, to be able to organize and locate your bookmarks in a snap! Share strategies as part of your ongoing professional development activities both in school and with your Professional Learning Network (PLN). Use an audio recording tool like Vocaroo, reviewed here, to record a student reading before and after using teaching strategies shared on this site. Share tips for reading strategies with parents using an online portfolio site like Seesaw, reviewed here. Seesaw provides tools for a class blog and sharing student work through images and videos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
WriteReader - WriteReader
Grades
K to 5tag(s): digital storytelling (151), literacy (116), multilingual (69), reading strategies (102), science of reading (37), writing (323)
In the Classroom
WriteReader is so simple that very young students can use it successfully after a whiteboard or projector demonstration. While creating their books, students will be able to add images, multiple pages and delete pages, include voice-over, use color on the pages, view one page at a time or the entire book, and toggle between letters' names/sounds or no audio. Use this tool to design simple projects using student drawings to tell the story. Have students draw and annotate stories about their summer at the beginning of the year and share them with classmates. Students of any age love to draw, so why not have them draw their impression of what the message to the reader was after hearing a story and then explain it in writing? Nonreaders and ENL/ESL students especially will benefit from hearing the letter sounds as they begin writing in their new language.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)
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Glean - Digital Literacy Teaching Tools - The Public Learning Media Laboratory
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): computers (109), digital citizenship (89), internet safety (113), media literacy (106)
In the Classroom
Computer Literacy teachers and those responsible for teaching Internet safety in any course are sure to find a lesson they need. Take advantage of these free lessons to educate students about the basics of the Internet from safety to reading the terms of service to creating or sharing memes. After these lessons, challenge students to create a simple infographic about what they learned using Infogram, reviewed here. The lessons and (some of) the descriptions include resources you may want to share with parents and school counselors so they can have a conversation about the topics with their students. Discuss topics on this site as part of Internet safety lessons. Share this site with school counselors as a resource for teens facing online safety issues.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Financial Literacy Resources - KQED Education
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): financial literacy (89)
In the Classroom
Discover the many ready-to-go, free resources that go with these free lesson plans for use with all students, not just English language learners. Include this site on your class web page for students and parents to access as a reference when discussing financial issues at home. Use the calculators found on the site as part of any financial unit or as a math problem solving lesson. Oh, and by-the-way, students will also practice listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
KidLit TV - Julie Gribble
Grades
1 to 6tag(s): authors (105), book lists (165), literacy (116), podcasts (104)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many features of this site to educate parents on literacy and motivate students to enjoy reading. Share podcasts and book trailers on your class website to recommend books your students may enjoy. Use the podcasts as an example, then have cooperative learning groups create podcasts as book talks for books they enjoy. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here, for student podcasts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Voxer - Tom Katis
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): chat (41), communication (138), DAT device agnostic tool (147), listening (93), microblogging (15), multilingual (69), social media (54), speaking (22), speech (68)
In the Classroom
Extend classroom technology use by using Voxer with early readers in your Daily 5 literacy structure for oral reading and listening to others read. Archive students' reading fluency at the beginning of the year, making comparisons throughout the year. Send the Voxer sample readings to parents via email so they can hear the progress and your comments, too. Use Voxer with any language learning students, both ENL/ESL and world languages. Students can practice speaking and listening in their new language. Connect with another class in a country speaking the language your students are learning for rich, real-world discussions. Create small groups to discuss anything from current events, to how to complete a math problem, to contributions for group research projects. Middle and high school teachers can use Voxer for communication between classes posting a question about the reading they are doing, an equation in math, or a lab in science. Collaborate with another classroom across the state or in another country allowing students to discuss with other students not in their school. Reluctant writers could use this tool to brainstorm their thoughts for a writing piece. With students under 13 consider setting up a class account using a global login. Students would need to give their first name when contributing so you will know who is speaking.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Ocenaudio - ocenaudio
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Use Ocenaudio in early grades to promote literacy by recording your students and creating an audio portfolio record of their reading. Use this tool with ESL/ELL students to practice fluency and hear themselves speak. Use Ocenaudio to record parents, principals, lunch ladies, librarians, relatives, and bus drivers all telling a favorite class story. During writing time, allow students freedom from the pencil to express their true creative voices. Also, dabble into digital storytelling to create a lesson in adding voice, emotion, and characterization. Record audio interviews at local nursing homes, fire stations, or museums to recollect times such as wars, the Great Depression, Civil Rights Movements, or as a primary source during memorable events. Record world language conversations as a student project. Make music class or the school band a gold recording!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
TextProject YouTube Channel - TextProject, Inc
Grades
K to 9tag(s): commoncore (75), literacy (116), professional development (408), reading comprehension (148), reading strategies (102), video (262)
In the Classroom
Share individual videos with parents to help them understand different reading strategies. Embed a video of the week on your class website or blog for parents. Share with colleagues as part of your ongoing professional development.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
TextProject - TextProject, Inc
Grades
K to 9tag(s): commoncore (75), literacy (116), multilingual (69), reading comprehension (148), reading lists (78), reading strategies (102), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (90), word study (60)
In the Classroom
If you teach reading or are an ENL/ESL or resource teacher for students with special needs, you will want to bookmark this site! Take advantage of all of the free downloads on the site, including forms, checklists, lessons, and reading passages. Share this site with parents to help them understand the process of learning to read and finding materials for their student. Share this site during professional development sessions when discussing reading instruction and alignment to Common Core Standards. Be sure to sign up for TextProject's monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all new additions to the site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading and Writing Project Resources - Teachers College Columbia University
Grades
1 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): assessment (149), book lists (165), reading comprehension (148), reading lists (78), science of reading (37), writers workshop (31), writing (323)
In the Classroom
Use the free resources recommended by Teachers College, Columbia University to fine tune your reading and writing assessments. Assessments are ready to go and use, and videos help demonstrate quality teaching and learning. Use examples of student work on your interactive whiteboard for your class. Sharpening your literacy classroom increases your effectiveness. Share the professional development videos or resources with your colleagues. Use materials from this tool in your next presentation. Use at Open Houses or with curriculum chats with parents so they have a better understanding of grade level expectations. Be sure to document your professional growth for your teacher evaluations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Achieve the Core - Student Achievement Partners
Grades
K to 12tag(s): commoncore (75)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for professional development. Find the self evaluation tools to use before your evaluation by administrators. Start a Common Core study group, and explore and share together. Ready made parent materials make parent involvement easy. Learn ways to become involved with the Common Core movement. And of course, don't miss the fabulous "ready to go" lessons!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Literably - Tyler Borek and Habib Moody
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): assessment (149), fluency (25), literacy (116), reading comprehension (148)
In the Classroom
After creating a class list, either choose readings based on your estimate for each student or let Literably choose them. You will need to demonstrate on a projector or whiteboard where to click to Allow the mike to work. Set up a center (or several) in your classroom and rotate students through it. The free account allows your to test five students, but there is a work around. If you have Gmail, you can use the subaccounts feature to create "new email addresses." See how to do this here. This tells how to set up Gmail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. Using Gmail subaccounts will allow you to test more than five students. The Literably results and ability to give parents expert feed back on their students literacy skills make creating Gmail subaccounts well worth your time! You will probably want to use headsets with microphones to limit distractions when using Literably. However, the built in microphone on the computer will work just fine. This tool is perfect for reporting to parents and administrators. It's also great for resource teachers to share during IEP meetings. Turn this assessment tool into a teaching tool by having students listen to their recordings and follow the text to pause the incorrect recording and read it correctly. Have them try the same reading again to see if they can improve their score.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading Rockets - WETA Washington D.C.
Grades
1 to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): authors (105), book lists (165), dyslexia (11), literacy (116), literature (218), parents (60), phonics (50), reading comprehension (148), reading lists (78), reading strategies (102), 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
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The Legacy Project - Susan V. Bosak
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): communities (37), crafts (54), cross cultural understanding (167), environment (245), writing (323)
In the Classroom
The Legacy Project's free online activities for all ages include creative crafts, art projects, games, self-assessments, reproducible pages, and even lesson ideas with curriculum connections for teachers. There are also free guides, tips, and feature articles. Resources can be used individually or grouped to create a themed set that run the gammit from literacy to family, history, or science. There are even free online certificates you can download!Challenge your students to think about questions like: What are your goals and what would you like to be, do, and learn? How can you achieve your goals? What can you learn about your own hopes and dreams and those of others? How can you think globally and act locally? How can we better understand other people and cultures that live in our communities or a whole continent away from us? The Legacy Project combines practical, classroom-tested ideas and research-based insights with a little fun and inspiration to inform and inspire all ages - children, teens, and adults. Using resources like the Dream book, students explore the world around them and their role in it - past, present, and future.
The Legacy Project's annual Listen to a Life Essay Contest brings generations in family and community closer and promotes the importance and uniqueness of inter-generational relationships. Students between the ages of 8-18 years interview a grandparent or "grand-friend" about their life and write an essay. This also opens the door for so many creative projects such as photo essays, (using their own digital images or finding ones that are legally permitted to be reproduced). Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form