Resources
(Grades K - 2)
(Grades 3 - 5)
Information about Learning Differences:
Great articles on tips, tools and apps for students with dyslexia:
- http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/professionals/dyslexia-school/tips-tools-and-apps-for-helping-dyslexic-students
- http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/tools/software-assistive-technology
Structured Literacy:
Redwood Literacy Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjN-BogTHtaoI9L8wuaHmQg
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network: PaTTAN
https://www.pattan.net/
PaTTAN Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/PaTTANHBG/videos
Pam Kastner Padlet: Resources
https://padlet.com/pkastner
Reading Rockets
https://www.readingrockets.org/
Timothy Shanahan: Shanahan on Literacy
https://shanahanonliteracy.com/
The Reading League
https://www.thereadingleague.org/
Explore current events and articles with these nonfiction resources.
Learn something new today!
|
Smithsonian Institute: Tween Tribune – https://www.tweentribune.com/category/junior/ Free |
Access articles about history, art, culture, and science. The reader can change the level of the article to read the same content in a more easily decodable way. The lower the lexile level, the easier it will be to read. |
|
Time for Kids – https://www.timeforkids.com/?user=false Free |
Read articles that are sorted by grade level. Find out something new and access articles free online! |
|
Smithsonian Institute: https://www.si.edu/kids Free |
You can access games and reading materials through the “Learn” section of the Smithsonian Institute website. |
|
National Geographic for Kids – https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ Free |
Explore this website to access free games, videos, articles about subjects around the world. |
|
Kids Discover – https://kidsdiscover.com/quick-reads/ Free |
The quick read section provides access to articles that are interesting and engaging. |
|
Scholastic News – https://scholasticnews.scholastic.com/ Some Free – Some subscription |
Scholastic news offers some free content. Articles and stories are highly engaging and informative. |
|
Highlights – http://www.highlightskids.com/articles/archives Free |
Collection of nonfiction articles you can read online. |
|
Sports Illustrated for Kids – https://www.sikids.com/ Free |
Students and teachers can read articles online or teachers can print articles directly from the site. |
|
New York Times – Learning Network Grade 6 – 12 http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/?_r=0 Free |
This offers online articles and numerous teaching resources. They provide text to text where they pair two texts and students can compare them. They also have student opinion articles where students can read and then respond with their own opinions. |
|
PBS News Hour Grades 7-12 http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/ Free |
This website has articles with videos and critical thinking questions at the end. These can be read online and printed. |
|
Kids Health http://kidshealth.org/kid/ Free |
Kids Health has games, articles, and videos that focus on health and science. Learn more about the human body from this website that is sponsored by Nemours! |
(Grades K - 2)
Below you will find a collection of books that would be highly interesting for kids in grade kindergarten through second grade. Some of these texts will be good for reading together with a more proficient reader others will be good for your child to read on their own. Click on image to access a link to purchase the book.
| Title | Summary |
| All Are Welcome By Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman | A group of students is shown throughout the school day having fun together, with an emphasis on how all are welcome. The story ends at a neighborhood gathering where all are welcome! |
All the Animals Where I Live ROARING BROOK, 2018 ISBN: 9781626726567 | Follow the story of the author, who recently moved from the city to the country, and see the moments that shape his and his dog Wednesday’s world. |
Alma and How She Got Her Name CANDLEWICK PRESS, 2018 ISBN: 9780763693558 | Alma learns the stories behind the wonderful people who influenced her name. |
| Another by Christian Robinson ATHENEUM, 2019 ISBN: 9781534421677 | In this wordless picture book, readers are taken on a fantastical journey through a young girl’s dream. |
Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings by Francie Latour, illustrated by Ken Daley GROUNDWOOD BOOKS, 2018 ISBN: 9781773060415 | A young girl explores her identity and culture through her aunt’s striking artwork. |
Camp Tiger PUTNAM, 2019 ISBN: 9780399173295 | A young boy finds friendship in a talking tiger while on his family’s camping trip. Along with the amazing pictures, readers will love the adventure these two have. |
Carl and the Meaning of Life VIKING, 2019 ISBN: 9780451474988 | Carl is an earthworm who wonders why he matters in this ecological and philosophical picture book |
Dreamers NEAL PORTER BOOKS, 2018 ISBN: 9780823440559 | Morales and her young son discover how they fit into their strange, new country when they find the public library in this gorgeous, personal picture book. |
Fox the Tiger BALZER + BRAY, 2018 ISBN: 9780062398697 | Fox wishes he were a tiger— fast and big and sneaky— and pretends to be one, until he meets someone who likes him for being a fox—fast and big and sneaky. |
Hey, Water! NEAL PORTER BOOKS, 2019 ISBN: 9780823441556 | Zoe thinks about all the ways we see water in the world in this cheerfully illustrated poem. Curious minds will enjoy additional information about water and conservation at the end. |
Jabari Jumps CANDLEWICK, 2017 ISBN: 9780763678388 | The big moment has come for Jabari to jump off the diving board, but is he ready? |
Just in Case You Want to Fly NEAL PORTER BOOKS, 2019 ISBN: 9780823443444 | What do you need for your next adventure? Explore this nurturing tale through colorful pictures and lyrical text. |
Llama Destroys the World HENRY HOLT, 2019 ISBN: 9781250303172 | A funny, silly llama eats too much cake, and the resulting silliness takes the reader on a rollicking journey through his wild adventures. |
Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Hatem Aly PICTURE WINDOW, 2018 ISBN: 9781684360222 | Meet Yasmin, a bright, fun Pakistani American second grader. With her oversized imagination and a little help from her family, there’s no problem she can’t solve. |
Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero! LITTLE SIMON, 2018 ISBN: 9781534432703 | Mia embarks on a super journey after finding out that she has a super secret |
My Papi Has a Motorcycle KOKILA, 2019 ISBN: 9780525553410 | Daisy and her papi take a spin on his motorcycle, taking in the sights and sounds of their beloved neighborhood. |
The Patchwork Bike CANDLEWICK, 2018 ISBN: 9781536200317 | Against a backdrop of dynamic, action-filled paintings, a young girl describes, with tremendous pride, the bike that she and her brothers made from scrap material, and the adventures they have. |
Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths FIRST SECOND, 2019 ISBN: 9781626725720 | When a hurricane blows their tree away, Peter, Ernesto, and their friends must find a new tree suitable for a group of sloths. |
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family LITTLE, BROWN, 2019 ISBN: 9780316519007 | Faizah’s older sister, Asiya, is a princess. She certainly looks like one on her first day of sixth grade and her first day wearing her beautiful, bold blue headscarf to school. |
Saturday LITTLE, BROWN, 2019 ISBN: 9780316431279 | Ava’s mom works all week long, but Saturday is their special day off! When their plans don’t go as expected, can Ava and her mom still have a perfect day? |
Skulls! ATHENEUM, 2019 ISBN: 9781534414006 | A book all about skulls and their many functions! |
Summer MACMILLAN, 2019 ISBN: 9781250310064 | Readers find out how some of their favorite animals stay cool during the summertime in this whimsical, poetic book. |
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac CHARLESBRIDGE, 2018 ISBN: 9781580897723 | Following a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences, this book shares the contemporary life of the Cherokee people, highlighting their tradition of gratitude. |
Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez, illustrated by Jaime Kim HARPERCOLLINS, 2019 ISBN: 9780062839930 | A young girl is asked where she is from, so she turns to her abuelo for help answering and gets a very unexpected response. |
Chapter Books and Series K – 2
| Title | Summary |
| Dory Fantasmagory Series by Abby Hanlon (RL 3.2) | It’s hard being the youngest sibling, especially when your brother and sister won’t play with you. Good thing Dory has an unbelievably wild imagination to keep her entertained. With its sharp-toothed robbers, bearded fairy godmothers, and a best friend who just happens to be a monster, this book is a real hoot. |
Alvin Ho : allergic to girls, school, and other scary things (Alvin Ho, Book 1)by Lenore Look (RL 3.8) | Alvin Ho is scared of everything. He’s especially scared of school. Too bad he can’t tackle starting second grade as his superhero alter ego, Firecracker Man. Kids will love rooting for Alvin as he learns to conquer his many fears |
EllRay Jakes is not a chicken! (EllRay Jakes, Book 1)by Sally Warner (RL 4.8) | Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes’s attempts to defend himself against the class bully always ends up getting him in trouble, but he promises to do his best when his dad offers to take him to Disneyland if he can be good for an entire week–which may be a few days too long. |
Absolutely Alfie and the furry purry secret (Absolutely Alfie, Book 1) (RL 4.5)By Sally Warner | Seven-year-old Alfie Jakes (EllRay’s little sister) isn’t thrilled when her mom organizes end-of-summer playdates with her soon-to-be classmate, Hanni. Hanni is kind of bossy. Alfie is sure she’s outgrown that allergy, but how can she convince her parents? But keeping a kitten a secret is a lot harder than she ever thought! |
Rock star (Jada Jones, Book 1)by Lyons, Kelly Starling (RL 1.7) | When Jada Jones’s best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. When Jada’s teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she’s in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn’t seem to like any of Jada’s ideas. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend? |
Andy Shane and the very bossy Dolores Starbuckle (Andy Shane, Book 1)by Jennifer Jacobson (RL 3.3) | Andy Shane hates school, mainly because of a tattletale know-it-all named Dolores Starbuckle, but Granny Webb, who has taken care of him all his life, joins him in class one day and helps him solve the problem. |
Bad Kittyby Bruel, Nick (RL 2.3) | When a calm kitty overhears her owner say that healthy food is now on the menu, the high-energy artwork shows the cat in paroxysms of horror set against a series of blocks containing pictures of vegetables, alphabetically arranged from asparagus to zucchini. That’s when Kitty decides to become Bad Kitty. |
My life in pictures (Bea Garcia, Book 1)by Debora Zemke (RL 3.4) | When budding artist Bea Garcia’s best friend moves to Australia and a loud, rambunctious boy moves into her old house, Bea must learn to make new friends. |
Boris on the move (Boris, Book 1)by Andrew Joyner (RL 1.6) | Meet Boris, an anthropomorphized warthog who dreams of adventure. He longs to travel and perform acts of derring-do, just like Captain Clive, the hero of his favorite book. He lives in a bus with his parents in Greater Hogg Bay, but the bus never goes anywhere, and neither does Boris. Until one day, it does. |
Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny (Bunjitsu Bunny, Book 1)by John Himmelman (RL 1.7) | Isabel is introduced as “the best bunjitsu artist in her school,” She’s an expert in kicking, hitting, and throwing, who can also handle all of the paradoxes that Teacher sends her way. Isabel’s martial arts aren’t confined to the classroom, either—she also faces down some piratical foxes and turns an angry wave into one that lifts her up and transports her. |
Little leaders : bold women in black historyby Vashti Harrison | Visual artist Harrison introduces 40 trailblazing black women from United States history in this inspiring volume for young readers |
Pony Mysteries #1: Penny and Pepper (Scholastic Reader, Level 3): Penny & PepperBy Jeanne Betancourt | Penny is visiting her grandparents out in the country for the summer. They have a surprise for her–a pony named Pepper! Along with their new friends, Tom and Tina, Penny and Pepper solve mysteries in the neighborhood, and rescue a frightened kitten! |
No small potatoes : Junius G. Groves and his kingdom in Kansasby Tonya Bolden | Born into slavery in Kentucky, Groves headed west following Reconstruction, finding work on a Kansas potato farm to become the “Potato King of the World.” Along with his crop, he grew a family, a community, and a fortune, becoming one of the most successful African Americans of his time. |
A splash of red : the life and art of Horace Pippin | Born in Pennsylvania in 1888, Horace Pippin loved to draw and paint as a child. When he was in eighth grade, his father left the family. Horace quit school and worked to support them. Later wounded as a soldier in WWI, he never regained full use of his right arm. Back home, Pippin began painting again, using his left arm to guide his right. |
The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions (The Nocturnals, 1)by Tracey Hecht | In the critically acclaimed middle grade chapter book series The Nocturnals, we meet three unlikely friends―Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin, and Bismark, a pint-sized sugar glider. Discover the friendships, teamwork, and humor as the Nocturnal Brigade solves the unpredictable mysteries of the night. |
The girl with a mind for math : the story of Raye Montagueby Julia Finley Mosca | A brief rhyming account of the childhood and work of United States Naval Engineer, Raye Montague who had to deal with prejudices and racial inequality to create the first computer generated rough draft of a U.S. Naval ship and also was the first female program manager of ships in the United States Navy. |
Whoosh! : Lonnie Johnson’s super-soaking stream of inventionsby Chris Barton | A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity began early in Lonnie Johnson’s life. Growing up in a house full of brothers and sisters, persistence and a passion for problem solving became the cornerstone for a career as an engineer and his work with NASA. But it is his invention of the Super Soaker that has made his most memorable splash with kids and adults. |
Brave ballerina : the story of Janet Collinsby Michelle Meadows | Writing in a gentle verse that calls to mind “This Is the House that Jack Built,” Meadows introduces Janet Collins, a New Orleans-born ballerina who pursued dance in the 1930s and ’40s. With her family’s support, Collins perseveres despite being told to lighten her dark skin. |
The doctor with an eye for eyes : the story of Dr. Patricia Bath (Amazing Scientists)by Julia Finley Mosca | As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered–brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness! |
The Astronaut With a Song for the Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa (Amazing Scientists)by Julia Finley Mosca | Growing up in a family of immigrants, Ellen dreamed of becoming a professional flutist, but all of that changed when she discovered engineering in college. Though she was told that field of study wasn’t for girls, the bright young scientist refused to give up-ultimately becoming a NASA astronaut who shattered barriers and rocketed to success! |
A computer called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped put America on the Moonby Suzanne Slade | Math came easy to Katherine Johnson while she was growing up. In the 1950s, when she was in her 30s, she was hired at NASA as a “computer” (a female mathematician who assisted the male engineers) and eventually worked her way up to the Apollo 11 project. |
(Grades 3 - 5)
Below you will find a collection of books that would be highly interesting for kids in grade third through fifth grade. Some of these texts will be good for reading together with a more proficient reader others will be good for your child to read on their own.
Title | Summary |
Back-to-School Fright from the Black LagoonBy Mike Thaler | For Hubie, getting ready to go back to school is worse than actually going to class. His mom picks out all the wrong clothes, he gets shots from his doctor, and there are rumors of a new teacher worse than any other. |
Thank You, Mr. FalkerBy Patricia Polacco | In this autobiographical story, Little Trisha, overjoyed at the thought of learning how to read struggles when she finds that all the letters and numbers get jumbled up. Her classmates make matters worse by calling her “dummy.” Finally, in fifth grade, she is lucky enough to have a teacher who recognizes Trisha’s incredible artistic ability, understands her problem, and takes the time to lead her to the magic of reading. |
WonderBy R.J. Palacio | August Pullman is not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. Sure, he’s a huge Star Wars fan, he loves his dog, and he’s got a pretty good sense of humor. But August was born with a craniofacial abnormality, a genetic defect that caused his facial features to be severely deformed. His life has never been “normal.” |
UnschooledBy: Allan Woodrow | Tapped to lead opposing Spirit Week teams, George and Lilly must fix their friendship before fifth grade pranks get crazier. |
The Homework StrikeBy Greg Pincus | Gregory K. has too much homework. Middle school is hard work, and Gregory tries to be a good student. He participates in class, he studies for his tests, and he and his friends even help each other with their assignments. But no matter what he does, there’s never enough time to finish all his homework. It just isn’t fair. So Gregory goes on a total, complete homework strike. |
A New ClassBy Jarrett J. Krosoczka | Victor Starspeeder is psyched to be starting school at the Jedi Academy. But his sister, Christina, doesn’t share an enthusiasm for Victor’s newfound educational path. She’s horrified that her annoying baby brother will be there to cramp her style. |
Save Me a SeatBy Gita Varadarajan & Sarah Weeks | Joe’s lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi’s family just moved to America from India, and he’s finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in. |
How to Be Cool in the Third GradeBy Betsy Duffey | Robbie is old enough to know that surviving school depends on one very important thing: knowing what’s cool. But what is cool in the third grade? he asks himself. |
Judy Moody | A bad mood. A mad-faced mood.” |
Wayside School: Sideways Stories from Wayside SchoolBy Louis Sachar | Wayside School was supposed to be built with 30 classrooms all next to each other in a row. Instead, it is an architectural accident that was built sideways. The classrooms were stacked one on top of the other, 30 stories tall! Here are some hilarious and fun stories about the school, the teachers, and the students. |
Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire | Cleopatra Edison Oliver has always been an entrepreneur, just like her inspiration, successful businesswoman Fortune A. Davies. So when Cleo’s fifth-grade teacher assigns her class a “Passion Project,” Cleo comes up with her best business idea yet: the finest “tooth-pulling” company in town. With the help of her best friend Caylee, a Nerf gun, her dad’s tablet, and her patented Persuasion Power, Cleo’s Quick and Painless Tooth Removal Service starts to take off. |
Fudge Books: Tales of a Fourth Grade NothingBy Judy Blume | Life with his little brother, two-year-old Fudge, makes Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade nothing. Fudge is actually a tiny terror in disguise, causing mischief everywhere he goes. Whether Fudge is throwing a temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing mashed potatoes on the walls at Hamburger Heaven, or trying to fly, he’s never far from trouble. He’s an almost three-year-old terror who gets away with everything, and Peter’s had it up to here! |
Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Who’s Afraid of Fourth Grade? | At first, Katie and her friends can’t wait to enter the fourth grade! But with the pressure of new classes, teachers, and friends, Katie isn’t so sure she likes it after all. |
Allie, First at Last | No better feeling exists in the world than stepping to the top of a winner’s podium and hoisting a trophy high in the air. At least that’s what Allie thinks; she’s never actually won anything before. Everyone in her family is special in some way; her younger sister is a rising TV star, her brother is a soccer prodigy, and her great-grandfather is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. |
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 | With Mr. Quimby going to college and Mrs. Quimby going to work, it’s a good thing Ramona is big enough to ride the bus to her new school all by herself. Unfortunately, after school she has to stay with Grandmother Kemp until her moody big sister Beezus comes to pick her up. It’s a good thing Ramona is so mature these days: she is doing her best to help Beezus make dinner and to be nice to pesky little Willa Jean after school. She can’t help it if Danny, better known as Yard Ape, insists on making her school life difficult. Soon Ramona is living up to her reputation, accidentally squishing a raw egg into her hair at the cafeteria and throwing up in her classroom. Will life ever get any easier? |
Amal Unboundby Aisha Saeed | Twelve-year-old Amal’s dream of becoming a teacher one day is dashed in an instant when she accidentally insults a member of her Pakistani village’s ruling family. As punishment for her behavior, she is forced to leave her heartbroken family behind and go work at their estate. |
Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castleby Hilda Eunice Burgos | Her last name may mean kings, but Ana María Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she’s stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey-dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone’s friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they’ll have even less time for Ana María. |
Jaden Toussaint, The Greatest Episode 1: The Quest for Screen Timeby Marti Dumas | Jaden Toussaint, 5 year-old scientist and all around cool dude, is on a mission to convince the grown-ups that he needs more SCREEN TIME. His only weapons are science, ninja dancing, and his super-powered brain power. Can Jaden Toussaint get the grown-ups to change their minds? |
Merci Suarez Changes Gearsby Meg Medina | Merci Suárez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. When bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren’t going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately — forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. And Merci is left to her own worries, because no one in her family will tell her what’s going on. |
The Nian Monsterby Andrea Wang | The legendary Nian monster has returned at Chinese New Year. With horns, scales, and wide, wicked jaws, Nian is intent on devouring Shanghai, starting with Xingling! The old tricks to keep him away don’t work on Nian anymore, but Xingling is clever. Will her quick thinking be enough to save the city from the Nian Monster? |
For our list of Audio Books please see the below link:
https://storylineonline.net/
