Phonemic Awareness
Phonemes are the individual sounds in spoken language. Learning to hear, identify, and match phonemes with the letters that make those sounds is the first major step toward learning to read.
What Is Phonemic Awareness?
Phonemes are the building blocks of language.
Phonics vs. Phonemic Awareness
Two of the most important parts of learning to read.
How To Build Phonemic Awareness
Fun activities for pre-readers.
Phonological Awareness Activities
Another stepping stone on the road to literacy.
Letter-Naming Fluency Activities
Practice those ABCs!
Phonics & Decoding
The science of reading emphasizes phonics and decoding—using knowledge of letter sounds and blends to sound out new words—as proven methods for teaching kids to read.
What Is Phonics?
The gold standard for teaching reading.
Best Phonics Activities
So many fun ways to practice!
Top Decoding Strategies
Give kids tools to help them sound out words.
Best Decodable Texts
Top picks for new readers.
Decoding Strategies Poster
Free printable reminders.
CVC Word List
Printable cards too!
Free CVC Worksheets
Quick and easy practice.
What Are Vowel Teams?
When two vowels go walking …
Vowel Team Word List
Printable list and cards too.
Types of Syllables
Open and closed, what’s the difference?
Open- and Closed-siSyllable Words
Printables for your students.
Orthographic Mapping
When reading becomes automatic.
Free Printable Elkonin Boxes
Such a helpful tool for decoding words.
Short Vowel Rhyming Game
With a Seuss theme!
Long ‘A’ Word List
Mate, lake, wade …
Short ‘A’ Word List
Cap, bat, lab …
Long ‘I’ Word List
Like, kite, wipe …
Short ‘I’ Word List
Hit, lip, tin …
Long ‘E’ Word List
Weak, meet, seed …
Short ‘E’ Word List
Let, red, beg …
Silent ‘E’ Word List
Shade, dine, code …
Reading Fluency
Fluent readers vary their tone and use appropriate pacing, reading smoothly and with expression. Here’s how to build fluent readers in your classroom.
What Is Reading Fluency?
It’s more than just speed.
Reading Fluency Activities
Smart ways to practice.
What Are Running Records?
A great tool for monitoring progress.
Fluency Anchor Charts
Fill your walls with reading tips.
Printable Fluency Posters
Free classroom decor!
What Is Choral Reading?
One smart strategy to increase fluency.
Vocabulary & Word Recognition
Sight words and high-frequency words go hand-in-hand with phonics and decoding, while building a bigger vocabulary helps students with reading comprehension too.
What Are Sight Words?
The, with, you …
Sight Word Activities
Games and other learning ideas.
List of High-Frequency Words
Printable list with cards to match.
Fun Vocabulary Activities
Build their word knowledge.
Free Vocabulary Worksheets
Printable practice for classroom or home.
Academic Vocab Posters
Key words they’ll need as they learn.
Free Word of the Week Slides
One for every week of the year.
Idioms for Kids Slides
Go beyond the literal meanings of words.
Context Clues Anchor Charts
Use what you’ve got to puzzle out meaning.
Synonym Activities
Simple, easy, effortless ideas.
Alliteration Examples
Work those wonderful words!
What Is a Metaphor?
Hidden keys to deeper meaning.
What Is a Simile?
Vivid as a rainbow!
FEATURED RESOURCE
Free Inspirational Reading Posters
Hang these printable posters in your classroom, school library, or anywhere you want to inspire a love of literacy!
Core Reading Comprehension Skills
Discover tips and tricks for ensuring your students truly comprehend what they read.
What Is Reading Comprehension?
Sounding out words is just the beginning.
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Tools for understanding.
Reading Comprehension Strategies Bundle
Free printables!
Active Reading Strategies
Read with a purpose.
Close Reading Strategies
Think, annotate, and reflect.
Think-Alouds for Reading
Talk your way through the pages!
Author’s Purpose Teaching Guide
What is the author trying to do or say?
Author’s Purpose Worksheets
Free printable graphic organizers.
Author’s Purpose Anchor Charts
Reference tools for your walls.
Tips for Teaching Theme
What’s the overall message?
Predictions and Inferences Printables
Important for active reading.
Cause & Effect Lesson Plans
There’s a reason for everything.
Cause & Effect Anchor Charts
Clever ideas for the classroom.
Elements of Fiction
Character, plot, point of view, and more.
What Are Text Features?
Tools that support understanding.
Nonfiction Text Features
Tables, captions, labels, headings, and more.
Instructional Models for Teaching Reading
These are the research-backed methods good reading teachers use every day.
What Is ELA in Schools?
ELA = English language arts.
The Science of Reading
Research-backed literacy education.
What Is Balanced Literacy?
Expose your students to genres of every kind.
Science of Reading Curriculum Guide
How to choose the right one for your students.
Scarborough’s Reading Rope
An excellent visual representation of literacy.
Science of Reading PD Books for Teachers
Brush up on your skills for teaching reading.
What Is Reading Intervention?
When students consistently struggle.
How To Plan Reading Intervention
How to help every kid succeed at reading.
Guided Reading Activity Ideas
Scaffolded help for students at every level.
What Is Shared Reading?
Story time can be so much more!
What Are Reading Levels?
And how are they determined?
How To Use Reading Levels Effectively
Don’t let them hold kids back.
Reading Level Text Converter Tools
Differentiate your text in a snap!
Tools and Supports for Teaching Reading
These resources help support literacy instruction in any classroom.
Graphic Organizers 101
Visual tools for comprehension and analysis.
Free Printable Story Maps
Plot out a story arc from beginning to end.
KWL Chart Printables
Know, Want To Know, and Learned, plus expanded charts too.
How To Use Sentence Stems
Give writers a head start.
Building Background Knowledge
Vital for true comprehension.
One-Pager Examples and Guide
Use these across the curriculum.
Reading Comprehension by Grade Level
The tools you need for the ages you teach.
1st Grade Reading Comprehension
Support emergent readers as they start their literacy journey.
2nd Grade Reading Comprehension
As their skills expand, their comprehension grows!
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension
Decoding is becoming easier, but don’t neglect their comprehension skills.
4th Grade Reading Comprehension
As sounding out words becomes automatic, comprehension matters more than ever.
Writing Instruction & Strategies
Give your students a variety of writing strategies and mentor texts to support their learning journey.
Writing Strategies With Examples
Tools to support clear, fluent compositions.
RACE Writing Strategies
Restate, answer, cite, and explain.
What Is Writing Workshop?
Writing is a process.
What Is Interactive Writing?
Guide them through the process.
Procedural Writing Mentor Texts
Strong examples of how-to writing.
Opinion-Writing Mentor Texts
How to share your thoughts clearly.
What Is Narrative Writing?
Tell an engaging story.
Narrative Writing Mentor Texts
Take a hint from these great examples.
Personal Narrative Examples
Learn from the masters!
Writing Practice & Prompts
The more you write, the better you get! Try these creative prompts and ideas to encourage your students to write every day.
Kindergarten Writing Prompts
I’m really good at …
1st Grade Writing Prompts
After school, I love to …
2nd Grade Writing Prompts
Tell about three things you do well.
3rd Grade Writing Prompts
What do you want to learn more about?
4th Grade Writing Prompts
Describe your perfect meal …
5th Grade Writing Prompts
How important is it to finish what you start?
Short Story Prompts for Kids
Fun ideas to get the creative juices flowing.
Picture Writing Prompts
Pictures are worth a thousand words.
Creative Writing Activities
Encourage a love of inventive composition.
Grammar & Language Skills
Use these ideas and activities for teaching parts of speech, grammar rules, common spelling mistakes, and more!
Parts of Speech Activities
Nouns, pronouns, verbs, and all the rest!
What Are Compound Words?
Two short words combined into one.
What Is a Suffix?
Word endings that affect meanings.
Word Inquiry for Spelling
When sounding it out won’t work.
Commonly Misspelled Words
Lose vs. loose and many more!
Grammar Games for Kids
Games and ideas for grammar lovers.
Verb Tense Activities
Do, doing, did … done!
Outdated Grammar Rules
Go ahead, split infinitives!
Sentence Type Activities
Learn to recognize the four types.
Adjective Anchor Charts
Tools for describing words.
Adjectives About People
Tall, funny, kind, smart, and more!
Writing Tools & Templates
Writing doesn’t always come easily. Give kids a head start with these templates and tools.
Printable Writing Paper Bundle
This HUGE bundle has paper for all seasons and topics.
Show, Don’t Tell! Writing Game
Free online descriptive writing activity.
Free Book Report Templates
Fun, creative ways to share what they’ve read.
Creative Book Report Ideas
So many fun possibilities!
Narrative Writing Organizer
Plan your story.
Opinion-Writing Organizer
Share your thoughts.
Hamburger Writing Organizer
The classic tool.
5-Paragraph Essay Organizer
A simple template for writing.
Informational Writing Organizer
Tell them what you know.
Cause & Effect Essay Organizer
Make the connections clear to readers.
Compare & Contrast Essay Organizer
Explain the similarities and differences.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Free Printable Reading Log Bundle
Our big reading log bundle includes monthly logs plus creative reading challenges that will motivate kids of all ages!
Activities & Literacy Centers
Engage your students with active learning games and fun center ideas focused on literacy.
The Big List of K–2 Literacy Centers
Clever ideas for your classroom.
Fun Reading Activities for Kids
Games and interactive ideas for learning.
Pre-Writing Activities
Tracing, molding, and more hands-on ideas.
Kinesthetic Reading Activities
Get up and move!
Spelling Word Bingo
Everyone’s favorite game!
Write the Room Ideas
Movement with purpose.
Alphabet Activities
Learn those letters!
Literacy Classroom Systems
These systems focus attention on reading and writing in your classroom.
Word Walls
A classroom staple.
Interactive Notebook Guide
Plus lots of examples!
Sound Walls
Learn to spell the sounds.
Visual Teaching Tools
Take inspiration from these anchor chart ideas.
Anchor Charts for Teaching Writing
Support composition skills.
Reading Comprehension Anchor Charts
Understand and analyze texts.
Phonics & Blends Anchor Charts
Vital decoding tools.
Figurative Language Charts
Similes, metaphors, and more.
Story Element Charts
Theme, setting, character traits, etc.
Main Idea Anchor Charts
What’s it all about?
Theme Anchor Charts
Find the deeper meaning.
Inference Anchor Charts
Make informed guesses.
Point of View Anchor Charts
See it through different eyes.
Character Trait Charts
Get to know the characters.
Nonfiction Anchor Charts
Make sense of true-life writing.
Printables & Downloads
Quick and easy ways to support reading and writing in your classroom.
Read Across America Activities
From sea to shining sea!
Peer-Editing Checklists
Perfect for writers workshop.
Free Grammar Worksheets
Practice those tricky rules.
Dewey Decimal Charts
Your map to the library.
Decodable Text Bundle
Free printables for sounding out words.
Letter-Tracing Printables
Perfect for brand-new writers.
Verb Tense Worksheet
Past, present, future, and more!
Summarizing Graphic Organizers
Recap the key points.
Homophones Worksheet
They’re, there, their …
Figurative Language Worksheets
Metaphors, similes, idioms, and more.
Classroom Environment & Displays
Bulletin board ideas, classroom decorations, printable posters, and more!
Reading Bulletin Board Ideas
Decorate the walls!
Classroom Library Inspiration
Make it the best place in your classroom.
Colorable Reading Poster Kit
Collaborative fun!
Reading Door Kit
Invite bright readers in!
Reading Quote Posters
Inspirational words about literacy.
Printable Pencil Alphabet Letters
Design your own classroom decor.
Book Lists by Genre
Your library collection should encompass as many literary genres as possible, so kids are exposed to a wide variety of styles from the very start.
Fantasy Books
Magical adventures abound!
Science Fiction Books
Travel in time or space.
Mystery Books
Whodunnit?
Historical Fiction Books
Stories set in the past.
Realistic Fiction Books
You’ll feel like you’re there!
Graphic Novels
YES, these count as reading!
Nonfiction Books
True tales for curious minds.
Thesauruses for Kids
All the synonyms you need.
Dictionaries for Kids
“Look it up!”
Fairy-Tale Books
“Once upon a time …”
Folktales for Kids
Passed down through generations.
Short Stories for Kids
Quick reads for kids.
Book Series & Read-Alikes
Kid-favorite series and “if you like this, you’ll love these” picks for your shelves!
Books Like Dog Man
More crime-fighting creatures!
The Bad Guys Read-Alikes
Illustrated books they’ll love.
Books Like Percy Jackson
Mythical adventures!
Magic Tree House Activities
Ideas to go along with the beloved series.
Books Like Encyclopedia Brown
Solve the mystery alongside the detective!
Choose Your Own Adventure Books
Each read is different.
Books Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Fun, funny, creative tales kids will love.
Books by Author, Classics & Favorites
These are the beloved books every classroom and school library needs.
Famous Children’s Books
Every kid should read these.
Caldecott Award Books
The very best picture books.
Best Children’s Book Characters
Friends that jump off the pages.
Top Banned Books
Don’t let censorship win.
Children’s Book Illustrators
Their art will astound you.
Classic Preschool Books
For every kid’s shelf.
1990s Children’s Books
Nostalgia, here we come!
Peter Rabbit Activities
For fans of the mischievous bunny.
A Wrinkle in Time Activities
Dive into the beloved classic.
Winnie the Pooh Activities
Visit the Hundred Acre Wood!
Richard Scarry Books
Detailed worlds kids adore.
Dr. Seuss Books
The master of rhyme!
Pete the Cat Activities
Love those buttons!
Aesop’s Fables for Kids
Stories with a moral.
Cinderella Fractured Fairy Tales
Twisted takes on the classic!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities
“A told B and B told C …”
Where the Wild Things Are Activities
For all the Max fans.
Book Lists by Subject & Topic
Whatever you’re looking to read, there’s a book for that!
Social Justice Books
Compassion for all.
Books That Celebrate Diversity
Everyone is welcome!
Books About Belonging
Find your people.
Racial Justice Books
Fight for what’s right.
Books About Cats
Kitten fans, unite!
Dragon Books
Read about magical, mythical creatures.
Books About Horses
Gallop through the pages!
Alphabet Books
Perfect reads for the ABCs.
Female Illustrators
Women artists are amazing.
Spy Books for Kids
Suspense and adventure on every page.
Books About Happiness
Don’t worry—read happy!
Sports Books
Fun reads for sports-loving kids.
Martial Arts Books
Kids will get a kick out of these titles!
Books About Soccer
Goooooaaaaallll!!!
Classroom Library & Access
More literacy resources to fill your shelves.
Book Fair Companies
Scholastic and others.
Dollar Books
Affordable reads for your shelves.
Magazines for Kids
Go beyond books.
Big Books for the Classroom
Perfect for story time!
Media & Extensions
All the best ways to teach reading and writing using websites, apps, audiobooks, e-books, videos, and other forms of media.
Best Audiobooks for Kids
ALL reading counts.
How To Find Free E-books for Kids
Online reading has real benefits.
Our Favorite Read-Aloud Videos
When you can’t read to them yourself.
Virtual Author Activities
Author talks and more.
Why We Love Storyline Online
Celebs read your favorite tales!
Using Wordle in the Classroom
The beloved game is a great learning tool.
Reading Apps for Kids
Add these to your tablets.
Best Reading Websites
Books and more.
Writing Apps for Kids
Online engagement.
Top Writing Websites
Inspiration and guidance.
Phonics Songs for Kids
Sing those words!
Story Element Videos
See the elements in action.
Point of View Videos
Look at things from every angle.
Reading Motivation
These tools remind students how important it is to read each day and offer rewards (intrinsic and external) when they do!
Color-as-You-Go Reading Challenges
Free printable bookmarks and pages.
What Is a Book Talk?
Sell your peers on your latest read!
Scratch-Off Reading Challenges
These are so motivating!
Supporting Early Literacy
Fifty ideas for schools.
Ways To Encourage Kids To Read
Smart, simple ways to build readers.
Benefits of Reading
So many reasons to pick up a book.
Facts About Reading
This is why reading really matters.
Browse by Topic
Discover classroom ideas, teaching strategies, and actionable tips for the subjects you teach every day.
Reading
Our top teacher-approved book lists, reading tips, and so much more!
Math
Find tips, resources, lesson plans, and games for K-12 that make math teachers’ lives easier.
Science
Science experiments, lesson plans, science themed books, and more!
Arts
Find everything from creative ideas for using music and theater at school to craft projects you’ll love.
ESL
Tips for English as a Second Language and English Language Learner teachers.
Social Studies
Economics, history, geography, sociology, anthropology, psychology … we have you covered.