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English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Reading

Seven Ways to Celebrate Read Across America Day 2025

by Macee Hall
written by Macee Hall

Each March, book lovers across the United States gear up for one of the most anticipated literary events of the year: Read Across America! This nationwide event celebrates not just the act of reading, but the colorful cultural tapestry that literature creates. Check out these seven ideas for celebrating Read Across America Day 2025 in your classroom, school, or district.

initiated by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998, has grown from a single-day event into a year-round program that promotes literacy and the joy of reading among children and adults alike14.

Why Read Across America Day 2025 Matters

Read Across America was originally started as a one-day event in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA). Early March was chosen so that the holiday could coincide with the birthday of famous children’s author, Dr. Seuss. Nowadays, National Read Across America Day is more than a chance to celebrate reading — it’s a year-round program that promotes literacy and the joy of reading among children and adults alike.

Especially now, with digital media more prevalent than ever, the importance of fostering a love for reading is paramount. Read Across America serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of books. It helps open doors, cultivate empathy, and inspire our next generation of critical thinkers.

Ideas for Celebrating Read Across America Day 2025

1. Host a Book Character Parade

Encourage students to dress up as their favorite literary characters. This not only makes reading fun but also allows children to literally step into the shoes of diverse characters from various backgrounds.

2. Create Themed Reading Spaces

Transform classrooms or libraries into magical reading nooks inspired by beloved books. A themed corner, like a Wild Things jungle, can ignite imaginations and make reading an immersive experience.

3. Organize a Community-Wide Reading Challenge

Set up a reading challenge that involves the entire community. This could include reading goals, book discussions, and even a “reading marathon” where participants read continuously for a set period.

4. Implement a Book Tasting Event

Set up a “book tasting” where students can sample different genres and styles of literature. This is an excellent way to introduce readers to a wide variety of books and authors they might not otherwise encounter.

5. Launch a StoryWalk®

Create a StoryWalk® in your community, where pages from a children’s book are displayed along a walking route. This combines physical activity with reading, making it a fun family event.

6. Invite Guest Readers

Bring in guest readers from the community – local authors, community leaders, or even high school students – to read to younger children. This can help create positive reading role models.

7. Host an Author Visit

Arrange for an author visit, either in person or virtually. This can provide students with insights into the writing process and inspire budding writers.

Read Across America in Your Classroom

Read Across America Day 2025 is sure to be one for the books, so mark your calendars for March 2 and start planning how you can foster a love of reading in your own classroom!

How are you celebrating Read Across America Day? Let us know in the comments section!

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English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Reading

Five Ways Educators Can Leverage Virtual Author Talks to Boost Literacy This School Year

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Did you know that only 43% of children aged 8-18 enjoy reading? That number is down from 58% in 2016 (source). What’s more, both American 9- and 13-year-olds who read for fun on a daily basis has dropped to the lowest level since the mid-1980s (source). The good news is that virtual author talks offer a way to spark students’ interest in reading. Let’s explore a possible resource that can enhance literacy in classrooms. At the end of this blog, I’ll also remind you about AI narrated audiobooks that are currently available. What’s more, this blog will introduce you to a free-for-US-schools tool for human-narrated audio books.

Here are five ways educators can harness virtual author talks to enhance literacy in their classrooms this school year.

1. Integrate Author Talks into Your Curriculum

“How can educators effectively integrate author talks into their curriculum to maximize the benefits for their students?” you might ask. One way is to use services like BookBreak.org.

BookBreak is a platform created and developed by the industry-leading Library Speakers Consortium, which has many years of experience working with authors and publishers in delivering amazing online programs. It makes it easy to bring authors into the classroom and that can boost student engagement with literature:

Screenshot by author of The Library District, Las Vegas-Clark County
Screenshot by author of The Library District, Las Vegas-Clark County

“BookBreak brings 2-4 bestselling elementary and middle school authors to schools each month via live stream. Events are geared toward specific grade cohorts such as K-2nd, 3rd-5th and 6th-8th. Each grade level has the opportunity to hear from an age-appropriate author at least once per month throughout the school year. Recordings of the talks are also available on our platform. The live events are 10-15 minutes long for elementary school and 15 to 25 minutes long for middle school.”

Here are three ways to blend this software into your classwork:

  • Schedule author talks to coincide with relevant units in your language arts curriculum.
  • Use the author’s books as part of your reading assignments before the virtual visit.
  • Develop writing prompts inspired by the author’s work or writing style.

For example, a 5th-grade teacher at Edgewood ISD incorporated a virtual talk with a historical fiction author into their American Revolution unit. Students read one of the author’s books set in that era, then had the chance to ask the author about their research process and character development.

2. Foster A Range of Perspectives Through Author Selection

“By featuring authors from diverse backgrounds, we can ensure that students see themselves in the stories they read. This can foster a deeper connection and understanding of literary works.” Virtual platforms like BookBreak prioritize a wide range of voices and experiences:

  • Choose authors from various cultural backgrounds to reflect your student population.
  • Balance male and female authors throughout the year.
  • Include authors who write about diverse topics and themes.

A middle school English teacher at Edgewood ISD reported increased engagement from her students. This happened when they had the opportunity to interact with authors who shared their cultural backgrounds. “Seeing themselves represented in successful authors really motivated my students to pursue their own writing,” she noted.

Screenshot by author of Scholastic's Storyvoice website
Screenshot by author of Scholastic’s Storyvoice website

3. Use Pre- and Post-Talk Activities to Deepen Learning

Maximize the impact of virtual author talks by framing them with thoughtful activities:

  • Before the talk: Have students research the author and prepare questions. They can read excerpts or summaries of the book as well as other works to gain deeper insight. Character analysis can also be an important component.
  • During the talk: Guide students in taking notes on the author’s insights and advice. Handwritten notes, concept maps, graphic organizers can scaffold student thinking.
  • After the talk: Facilitate a class discussion about what they learned and how it applies to their own reading and writing.

Example: An elementary school librarian at Edgewood ISD created a “Meet the Author” bulletin board where students posted their favorite quotes and lessons from each virtual talk, creating a visual reminder of their literary connections.

Consider giving students a reverse outline or advance organizer that they can add to throughout the virtual talk. Some other ideas include:

  1. Read aloud, then get feedback from others (Repeated Reading)
  2. Discuss with others (Classroom Discussion, Reciprocal Teaching, Jigsaw Method)
  3. Clarify vocabulary and meaning (Vocabulary Programs)
  4. Jot down important ideas and information (Outlining, Summarization, Concept Mapping)
  5. Annotate your text, write in the margins (Underlining and Highlighting)
  6. Interrogate text (ask questions and make a quiz for Retrieval Practice)
Screenshot by author of Jefferson County Library District website
Screenshot by author of Jefferson County Library District website

4. Leverage Recording Features for Flexible Learning

“We’ve found that the recorded author talks on platforms…are just as valuable as the live events. They allow our teachers to revisit the content with their students, pause and rewind when needed, and even share with students who may have missed the live event. It’s been a game-changer for our district’s literacy initiatives,” says Brad CLoud, Director of Instructional Technology, Edgewood ISD. Virtual author talk platforms often offer recordings of their sessions. This makes it possible to do the following:

  • Use recorded talks as part of lesson plans.
  • Assign specific talks for independent work. This gives students time to engage with the content at their own pace.
  • Create a tailored list of author talks students can listen to for inspiration and research.

“Being able to view the author visits after the fact is crucial, as ALL teachers are busy and can’t always catch a visit in real time,” one user mentioned.

5. Extend the Impact Beyond the Classroom

One big benefit of virtual author talks? They facilitate collaboration between teachers and campuses. Consider these points:

  • Foster collaboration with other teachers to create cross-curricular projects.
  • Share highlights from the talks in school publications that engage parents with their children as they read.
  • Create displays featuring books by visiting virtual authors.

Some libraries may find that virtual book talks enhance their role as a collaborative learning space. These often enable them to set up author-themed reading corners. Those have the potential to become popular spots for students.

Leverage Virtual Author Talks to Boost Literacy

Use virtual author talks to enhance student literacy, engage interest, and encourage young readers. You may end up changing the reading statistics for the next generation with the power of author voices.

Supplemental Resources

Below you will find an AI-generated guided activities table, as well a curated list of virtual author talk platforms.

Guided Activities Table

Activity NameDescriptionTeacher’s RoleStudent EngagementLearning Outcome
Author Bio Scavenger HuntStudents research the visiting author and create a visual biographyProvide research guidelines and resourcesCollaborative research and creative presentationImproved research skills and author familiarity
Question Craft WorkshopStudents learn to formulate thoughtful questions for the authorGuide students in developing open-ended questionsPeer review of questionsEnhanced critical thinking and inquiry skills
Virtual Book ClubStudents read and discuss the author’s book prior to the talkFacilitate discussions and provide reading promptsActive participation in book discussionsDeeper comprehension and analysis of literature
Writing in the Author’s StyleStudents create short pieces mimicking the author’s writing styleAnalyze the author’s style with the class and provide writing promptsCreative writing and peer feedbackImproved writing skills and style analysis
Post-Talk Reflection JournalStudents write about their takeaways from the author talkProvide reflection prompts and feedbackPersonal reflection and connection to their own reading/writingSelf-awareness of reading preferences and writing goals
Generated with Perplexity.AI

Virtual Author Talk Platforms

Title with Embedded URL to WebsiteDescriptionPricingUse Scenario
BookBreakA platform that brings 2-4 bestselling authors to schools each month via live stream, catering to specific grade cohorts. It aims to ignite enthusiasm for reading and writing by providing comprehensive planning resources and ensuring diversity in featured authors.Not explicitly stated, but offers free access to high-poverty schools when other schools join the program.Ideal for schools looking to integrate author talks into their curriculum, especially those seeking to enhance literacy and engagement among students.
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Virtual Author TalksOffers free virtual author talks with critically-acclaimed writers, available for viewing from home. Past talks are archived for later access.FreeSuitable for public libraries and individuals interested in attending virtual author talks from the comfort of their homes.
StoryvoiceFeatures live read-alouds by award-winning children’s authors and illustrators. The platform allows for interactive sessions and is accessible via share-screen or individual devices.Not explicitly stated, but implies free access.Ideal for classrooms and families looking for interactive live reading sessions with popular children’s authors.
Library Speakers ConsortiumProvides live online author talks in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, featuring multiple bestselling authors each month.Not explicitly stated.Suitable for libraries and educational institutions seeking to connect with a variety of authors through live online events.
Authors Who Skype FreeA list of authors who connect virtually and in personVaries by authorIdeal for educators hoping to connect with specific authors listed.

But wait, there’s one more FREE option!

Although not a virtual author talk source, Bookshare.org provides easy-to-read audiobooks and ebooks for readers, no matter what their ability. Get this…Bookshare is 100% free through an aware from the Office of Special Education Programs!

You can see a sample of their book selection via their website. What’s more, you can find a collection of human-narrated books (also, read TCEA’s blog entry on AI narrated books):

Bookshare has thousands of human-narrated audiobooks. You can listen to them in either MP3 or DAISY Audio formats on a variety of devices. Browse reading lists of their texts:

See how to qualify and complete membership in the United States.

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Access 7 read-to-use Story Bin STEM activities that combine literacy and science for fun, memorable learning.
English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)STEM/STEAM

Seven Ready-to-Use Story Bin STEM Activities

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

“Have you heard of STEM Bins?” Peggy Reimers said. “No, I haven’t,” I replied. In a moment, I’d fallen off the plank, submerged into a sea of learning. Like treasure chests filled with tools for creative imagineering, STEM Bins are fun. I like to think of them as Story Bins, because they turn stories into powerful learning opportunities. Let’s explore several practical ideas for elementary Story Bins.

Brooke Brown (follow her on Twitter for more exciting ideas!) gets credit for introducing me to the concept of STEAM/STEM Bins via this 2024 tweet by TCEA. Story Bins are just an adaptation of this. Here’s a video from Brooke sharing about STEM Bins. What an amazing idea to add to your repertoire!

What Are Story Bins?

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

Story Bins are containers filled with various materials. They start with a story, then provide a challenge. The challenge is to build something that helps a character in the story.

These are perfect for students in elementary grades. Meeting the challenge pushes students to think outside the bin. Even better, they can learn hands-on skills through their constructions.

Story Bin Resources made by TCEA
Access Story Bin Seven Activities + Resources (English and Spanish) at the End of the Article

Why Use Story Bins?

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

With these bins of imagination, treasure chests of creativity, students blend their learning. You can also incorporate critical thinking skills a la Engineering Design Process.

Example: Jack and the Beanstalk

Take this old favorite tale. How would you build a catapult to escape the giant? The goal is to help Jack, who has to flee from a giant. A question to ask is, “How can we engineer a catapult using materials like pipe cleaners, scissors, tape, and disposable cups to help Jack escape from the giant’s castle in the clouds?”

The hands-on aspect of Story Bins makes it easy to connect knowledge to the real-world. In developing solutions that work, students solve problems that feel real to them. Tapping into various modalities can assist students’ brain in remembering concepts.

Some more questions for different stories are available via this link. Stories include:

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Cinderella
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Jack and Jill
  • Jack and the Beanstalk
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Pinocchio
  • Rapunzel
  • Rumpelstiltskin
  • Santa Claus
  • Sleeping Beauty
  • The Elves and the Shoemaker
  • The Lion and the Mouse
  • The Three Little Pigs
  • The Ugly Duckling
  • Three Billy Goats Gruff

An Example Story Bin Using the Engineering Design Process

In her blog entry, The Engineering Design Process for the Elementary Student, my colleague Peggy Reimers shares the Whirli-bots Engineering Design Process. Below, please find an adaptation of the Engineering Design Process. What if you ran one of the story bin challenges through this process?

Stages of the Engineering Design Process
Public View Link | Template Link

The result might be something like what appears below. Let’s focus on another “Jack and the Beanstalk” idea. What’s my fixation with “Jack and the Beanstalk”? This was one of the stories I first read in Spanish, then later in English when I was growing up.

Challenge: Create a parachute to safely transport Jack down the beanstalk.

Before beginning, you might first consider some guiding questions for the Engineering Design Process. Now that the challenge is set, let’s think through what it might look like in action.

1. Ask (Define the Problem)

  • Problem: Jack needs to escape from the giant’s castle safely.
  • Criteria: The parachute must slow Jack’s descent.
  • Constraints: Use available materials (pipe cleaners, scissors, tape, disposable cups).

2. Imagine (Brainstorm Solutions)

Ideas:

  • Use a large piece of lightweight material (e.g., tissue paper or plastic bag) as the parachute canopy.
  • Attach strings to the corners of the canopy and connect them to a small cup that represents Jack.
  • Ensure the parachute is large enough to create enough air resistance.

3. Plan (Develop the Solution)

Materials Needed:

  • Tissue paper or plastic bag
  • String
  • Disposable cup
  • Tape
  • Scissors

Design:

  • Cut a large square from the tissue paper or plastic bag.
  • Attach strings to the corners of the square.
  • Connect the other ends of the strings to the cup.

Steps:

  1. Cut the canopy material into a square.
  2. Reinforce the corners with tape and punch holes.
  3. Cut four equal lengths of string and tie them to the corners.
  4. Attach the other ends of the strings to the cup.

4. Create (Build, Modify, Test & Evaluate)

Build:

  • Assemble the parachute as planned.

Test:

  • Drop the parachute from a height and observe its performance.

Evaluate:

  • Check if the parachute slows the descent effectively.
  • Note any issues, such as the parachute not opening fully or the descent being too fast.

Modify:

  • Adjust the size of the canopy or the length of the strings if needed.
  • Test again to see if the modifications improve performance.

5. Improve (Share)

Learnings:

  • Document what worked well and what didn’t.
  • Share the design and test results with classmates or teachers.

Improvements:

  • Based on feedback, make further adjustments to the parachute design.
  • Consider using different materials. Or change the shape of the canopy for better results.

More Engineering Design Process Story Bin Ideas

Here’s another Engineering Design Process you might find useful for younger students. How would you do it?

StoryChallengeQuestionBrainstormPlanBuild (Test & Evaluate, Modify)Share
Jack and the BeanstalkCreate a device to propel Jack away from the giant’s castleWhat can we build to help Jack escape?Think of ways to make Jack move fast, like a slingshot or a rocket.Draw a picture of our idea and list what we need.Make our escape gadget, try it out, and change it if we need to.Show our friends and explain how it works.
Jack and the BeanstalkDesign a safe way for Jack to come down the beanstalkHow can Jack get down without falling?Imagine things that float down softly, like parachutes or balloons.Choose the best idea and plan how to make it.Create our parachute, drop it from up high, and make it better.Share our parachute and tell others how we made it safe for Jack.
Three Billy Goats GruffBuild a raft for the goats to cross the riverCan we make a raft that holds all three goats?Think of floaty things like logs or big tubes.Pick the floatiest idea and plan how to tie them together.Build our raft, test it in water, and fix anything that’s not right.Show our raft and tell the story of how the goats used it.
See MORE examples of the EDP in action in this Google Doc (Get a copy)

How Do Story Bins Enhance Education?

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Put Story Bins into the classroom to get the benefits for students. Those benefits include:

  • Have students who finish assignments early? Use Story Bins as a way to keep them involved and learning.
  • Need sponge activities for morning work or centers? Maybe you have a need to keep kids as a time-out/cool-down area engaged. Use Story Bins for that, too.
  • Focused on a particular story? Use Story Bins to explore various parts of the story.

Science is often under-utilized but processes like the Engineering Design Process (EDP) help. They model scientific thinking where students develop a hypothesis, gather evidence through prototyping. Then, they test their hypotheses to see if they are falsifiable (if the work or not).

Examples of STEAM Story Bin Challenges

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”- Albert Einstein

Here are a few ideas for Story Bins using common stories with a STEAM twist. You will find an AI-generated list of stories, challenges, and materials.

My colleague, Peggy Reimers, suggested the materials area include reusable materials, as well. Take a look at what’s available in your classroom, at home, and add to the list of one-time use materials, too.

StoryThe ChallengeOne-Time Use MaterialsSuggested Reusable Materials
Jack and the BeanstalkDesign a catapult to help Jack escape the giant.Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoonKeva Planks, rubber bands
Jack and the BeanstalkCreate a parachute to safely transport Jack down the beanstalk.Lightweight fabric or a plastic bag, string, small toy figureLightweight fabric, string, LEGO figurine
Three Billy Goats GruffBuild a raft to help the Billy Goats Gruff cross the river.Corks, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, small plastic figuresStrawbees, foam pieces, small LEGO figures
Jack and JillConstruct a pulley system to lift the pails for Jack and Jill.String, spools, paper cupsLEGO bricks, string, small buckets (LEGO pieces)
The Three Little PigsEngineer a stronger house for the Three Little Pigs using different materials.Straws, craft sticks, clay, cardboardLincoln Logs, LEGO bricks
The Three Little PigsDesign a trap to catch the Big Bad Wolf.Cardboard boxes, rubber bands, plastic bottle capsLEGO bricks, rubber bands
Three Billy Goats GruffBuild a bridge that can support the weight of the Troll.Popsicle sticks, glue, string, small weights like coinsKeva Planks, glue (if permanent), weights (coins or small stones)
Little Red Riding HoodCreate a zip line to help Little Red Riding Hood escape the woods quickly.String, straw, paper clip, small toy figureString, straw (from Strawbees), paper clip, LEGO figurine
Hansel and GretelConstruct a marble run for Hansel and Gretel to find their way out of the forest.Cardboard tubes, marbles, tapeKeva Planks, marbles
The Ugly DucklingBuild a boat that floats for The Ugly Duckling.Corks, plastic spoons, waterproof tapeStrawbees, waterproof material (cut from reusable shopping bags), small LEGO figure
RapunzelDesign a tower that won’t fall down for Rapunzel’s prince to climb.Cardboard, tape, paper tubesKeva Planks, LEGO bricks
The Elves and the ShoemakerCreate a simple machine to help the Elves make toys faster.Gears, wooden skewers, rubber bandsLEGO gears, wooden skewers, rubber bands
Santa ClausBuild a prototype of Santa’s sleigh with working runners.Ice pop sticks, cardboard, fabric scrapsKeva Planks, fabric scraps
The Elves and the ShoemakerEngineer a contraption to help the Shoemaker work more efficiently.Cardboard, scissors, glue, fabric scrapsLEGO bricks, gears
Sleeping BeautyDesign a device to help Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmothers travel faster.Balloons, straws, rubber bands, small toy figuresBalloons, Strawbees, rubber bands, LEGO figures
CinderellaConstruct a vehicle powered by wind to transport Cinderella to the ball.Cardboard, paper, straws, balloonsLEGO bricks, paper (for sails), straws
The Lion and The MouseBuild a seesaw for the characters from The Lion and The Mouse.Popsicle sticks, plastic spoon, small toy figuresKeva Planks, plastic spoon (as a fulcrum), LEGO figures
PinocchioCreate a toy car for Pinocchio that moves using rubber bands.Cardboard, rubber bands, bottle caps for wheelsLEGO bricks, rubber bands, bottle caps (for wheels)
Alice in WonderlandDesign a contraption to help Alice get back up the rabbit hole.Cardboard tubes, string, pulleysKeva Planks, string, pulleys (LEGO or similar)
RumpelstiltskinBuild a spinning wheel that can wind up the golden thread.Cardboard, dowels, stringKeva Planks, dowels, string

Additional STEM Resources for Story Bins

You can find a wealth of resources for Story Bins online. Here are a few curated links for your consideration. They may ignite your own passion and learning, as they did me.

Which Story Bin activity will you try with your students? Have ideas for other Story Bin STEM activities? Leave us a comment so we can add it to the list!

Access Seven Story Bin Activities + Resources!
(English and Spanish included)
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Explore a program for reading comprehension that goes beyond multiple choice comprehension quizzes: Whooo's Reading!
English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)STAARTEKSWriting

Whooo’s Reading: Beyond Multiple Choice Comprehension Questions

by Shelli Harrel
written by Shelli Harrel

In an educational environment where students have been conditioned to expect multiple-choice assessments, educators are increasingly looking for new ways to gauge student learning. Are you looking for ways to help your students “think outside of the bubbles”? Whooo’s Reading is a program designed to help students improve both their reading comprehension and writing skills while creating a fun alternative to traditional assessments. With each successful completion of a task within the program, students earn coins that can be used to purchase items for their owl avatars. Hence the name, Whooo’s Reading!

Screenshot by the Author of Owl Customization with Coins

How Whooo’s Reading Benefits Students and Teachers

1. Whooo’s Reading Question Types

With the Whooo’s Reading program, students can read a book or text resource and take a quiz to determine their comprehension. Quiz questions are tailored to the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and are a mixture of short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and constructed response questions. 

2. Student Guidance for Constructed Responses

Screenshot by the Author of Constructed Response Guidance

Open-ended response questions allow students to more thoroughly express the details they remember from their reading experience. At the bottom of the screen, users can track their writing progress by watching as the line changes from red to yellow to green. By encouraging students to work toward the green, they gradually learn the importance of including enough information to adequately answer the question at hand. 

3. Immediate Feedback on Student Writing

The program gives feedback on typed responses that allows users the opportunity for self-correction as they work to complete the quizzes. In an effort to encourage students to correct potential mistakes in their writing, they are provided with feedback and the ability to earn additional coins if they make adjustments to their work before continuing with the quiz. At the end of each quiz, students are provided with feedback on the things that they did well and information on areas where they could improve. They are also given examples highlighted from their quiz responses. 

4. Use Any Text Resource 

Unlike similar reading programs, the Whooo’s Reading program can be used with virtually any text resource. By expanding the potential reading resources, students are not limited to specific titles or books. Teachers can also assign online reading resources for students, where they can access the online link and complete a quiz on the material. 

5. Track Student Progress and Vary Assessment Tasks

In addition, Whooo’s Reading offers educators the ability to assign various other assessment tasks to students such as writing essays or completing practice questions/exercises designed to help address specific skills. Both students and teachers also have the ability to construct their own practice questions related to titles that they have read. Educators also have the option of asking students to keep reading logs to gauge their reading progress and students can create book reviews that are visible to their classmates, providing additional encouragement to read new books. 

6. Adjust Reading and Grade Levels as Needed

One of the most beneficial parts of the Whooo’s Reading program is the ability to differentiate the experience for each student. Teachers have the ability to set the reading level and grade level for each individual. By making adjustments to each of these settings, the experience for each student can be more adequately tailored to their specific reading ability. Changing the levels for individuals means that the quiz questions for students will be more in line with their reading ability and thus provide them with an increased chance of successfully completing the quiz. 

7. Customize Assessments and Provide Sentence Stems

Screenshot by the Author of Customization Options

Teachers also have the option to choose the types and number of questions that appear in the reading quizzes, as well as provide students with sentence stems or sentence starters to assist them in successfully answering the constructed response questions. Quiz passing rates can be set by the teacher at a range from 2 to 4. This means that passing standards can be better adjusted based on student needs, with teachers also having the ability to provide student feedback on quiz responses and add credit points to quiz scores if needed. 

8. Accessibility Features 

Screenshot by the Author of Accessibility Features

In addition to these features, Whooo’s Reading also provides text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities. Within the program, settings can be adjusted so that students can click on the speaker icon to have information on the screen read to them. If they have access to a microphone, they can click on the microphone icon, speak their answers, and see their words transcribed on the screen. With these options to tailor the Whooo’s Reading experience for each user, students of all levels have an increased chance for success. 

9. Prep for the STAAR Test

Not only does Whooo’s Reading help students to practice expressing their thoughts by engaging them in more challenging questions than traditional multiple-choice assessments, but it can also help them enhance their writing skills as well. With recent changes to the STAAR (The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) tests, students are being tasked with answering more constructed response-type questions. This format within the Whooo’s Reading quizzes provides important practice that can help prepare students to have increased success on the state assessments. In addition, teachers have the ability to access and print out students’ quiz information that showcases each question and the student’s responses. This not only gives increased data on student progress but also provides educators with examples of students’ writing for targeted instruction.

Free Premium Features

For the 2023-2024 school year, Whooo’s Reading has offered interested teachers/schools the opportunity to try out all of the premium features of their program for free. I’ve been told by representatives that they will be doing the same for the 2024-2025 school year! During this time, Whooo’s Reading will be working to collect data and make important improvements to the program. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and discover the many ways that this program can benefit your learners!

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A child's hands clutch a tablet with a digital reading tool open.
English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Reading

Digital Reading Tools for K-5 Readers

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Teach reading in grades K-5? You may be looking for digital apps and resources to support your young readers. Research emphasizes how important it is to encourage reading with print books. That aside, here are some digital tools you might find helpful in supporting K-5 students’ development of key literacy skills. Those skills include phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Reviewing the Research

Did you see the new meta-analysis’ conclusions? This latest aggregation appeared in December 2023. The study asked a fundamental question: Do New Forms of Reading Pay Off? It focuses on leisure digital reading and text comprehension at various grade levels. As many veteran readers know, leisure reading is often the gateway to more complex texts. Children aren’t reading for pleasure in enough quantity. Digital texts read for leisure activities are not as tough as print texts, and leisure reading takes a hit as students focus on digital.

The results reflect that primary and middle school readers understand less when engaged in leisure digital reading. Their conclusion boils down to the following point:

In sum, leisure digital reading does not seem to pay off in terms of reading comprehension, at least, as much as traditional print reading does.

Source: Do New Forms of Reading Pay Off? A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Leisure Digital Reading Habits and Text Comprehension

This is problematic for young readers, who need to comprehend texts they read early on. The more they understand texts as youngsters, the more likely they are to read more complex texts.

The more digital reading students do, the harder it gets for them to “grok” print texts. Intended for “quick and brief consumption,” this makes digital content poor quality and, perhaps, of “low linguistic quality.”

Text with low linguistic qualities includes text that:

  • Does not follow standard grammar, vocabulary, and/or syntax rules
  • Has an informal, conversational style closer to spoken language
  • Might be fragmented, decontextualized, or inaccurate
  • Includes short-length texts and fast-paced content
  • Lacks clarity and has ambiguous or imprecise use of words and phrases

Unfortunately, digital content is often likely to be of lower linguistic quality. With this in mind, how can digital tools be useful in the classroom when it comes to reading instruction for K-5 students?

The Added Value of Digital Reading Tools

Given the research, what’s the added value of digital reading tools? Digital tools are helpful to young readers when they provide the following features:

  • Audio narration
  • Text highlighting
  • Embedded support for readers needing increased accessibility
  • Fun, interactive elements

Texts with distracting “bells and whistles” hinder comprehension. Plus, if young readers lack foundational skills, it’s better to rely on print texts; digital tools may not be the best idea.

A list of tech-powered reading with digital apps
View full-size | Get a copy in Canva

Integrating Digital Reading Tools

Ok, now that you have had a chance to review the research for young readers, let’s take a look at a few ed tech apps and tools. Some are free while others are paid, so be aware of that before adopting their use in the classroom. The key is to integrate these digital reading tools into your reading block. You can use them in all sorts of ways, such as:

  • whole-class instruction
  • small-group rotations
  • station rotations
  • partner work
  • independent practice
  • home connections
  1. Starfall Learn to Read (starfall.com). This app is perfect for beginning readers in K-2. It uses a systematic phonics approach with fun songs, animations, and interactive activities. Kids love the playful characters and colorful visuals.
  2. Epic! (getepic.com). Epic! is a huge digital library tailored for elementary students. It includes thousands of high-interest fiction and nonfiction books. Epic! also personalizes recommendations based on each child’s reading level and interests. Students can read or listen to books and take quizzes to test comprehension.
  3. Reading Eggs (readingeggs.com). Designed for ages 2-13, it is a comprehensive digital reading program. that feels more like a game than a lesson. As students work their way through the lessons, they earn rewards.
  4. Lexia Core5 (lexialearning.com). Lexia Core5 includes a research-proven K-5 digital reading program with personalized learning paths. Each student moves along the path based on their skill level. The engaging activities target phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Real-time data helps teachers provide just-in-time instruction.
  5. Flocabulary (flocabulary.com). Flocabulary relies on music to teach reading skills. It includes education-friendly hip-hop songs and videos. These teach vocabulary, figurative language, story elements, and more. Interactive features let students read and write their own rhymes
  6. Flip (flip.com). Flip (formerly, Flipgrid) is a free video discussion platform. Some rely on it for fluency practice. Students can record themselves reading aloud. They can then listen back and share with the class as a way to build oral reading skills and confidence.
  7. Storyline Online (storylineonline.net). This free website streams videos of celebrated actors reading popular children’s books aloud. Activity guides are available for each book, and you can access read alouds from these QR codes.

High-Quality Digital Reading Content

Whether the content is digital or print, providing K-5 students with high-quality texts is of the utmost importance. But how do you ensure texts are quality? They should be age-appropriate and:

  • rely on standard grammar, vocabulary, and syntax
  • possess coherent, contextualized, accurate information
  • include longer, in-depth passages that support deep engagement and processing by the reader
  • employ precise vocabulary that is unambiguous and well-defined
  • use a direct communication style that does not rely as much on context, tone, and/or non-verbal cues

Print is superior for building comprehension and developing key literacy skills like phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary in younger readers. But, you can add digital reading tools that provide quality content to support fluency practice and comprehension. What digital reading tools have you tried? Which ones to you plan to use?

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Explore three tools to quickly and effectively differentiate and personalize literacy instruction for all readers.
AccessibilityArtificial IntelligenceEnglish Language Arts Reading (ELAR)ESL/ELLReading

Three AI Tools for Literacy Instruction

by Holly Taylor
written by Holly Taylor

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools holds great promise for transforming classrooms. As educators, we find ourselves at the forefront of this exciting shift. Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking empowers students to access information, express their thoughts, and engage with the world. However, the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to literacy often falls short of meeting the diverse needs of our students. Enter AI, a tool that can help teachers differentiate learning experiences, identify learning gaps, and provide targeted support to students.

Will AI Replace Educators?

Before exploring AI tools that have the potential to revolutionize literacy classrooms, it is important to highlight one of the major concerns surrounding AI: the idea that it may eliminate the need for teachers in the future. The fear of AI replacing teachers entirely is a valid concern, but AI must be viewed as a valuable ally instead of a substitute. The need for human touch in designing and developing quality lessons can not be underscored. As we delve into the capabilities of various AI tools, we must keep our pedagogical practices at the forefront. Now, let’s look at three AI tools you can use to boost literacy.

1. Magic School AI

With over 60 AI generators featured on their website, MagicSchool has the capability of transforming classrooms and saving teachers time in the process. As literacy teachers, it is crucial to provide students with engaging and grade-appropriate texts. However, finding relevant materials can be a challenge. That’s where MagicSchool’s “Informational Text” generator comes in handy.

MagicSchool AI's Informational Texts Generator offers literacy teachers a quick way to accommodate learners' needs when it comes to reading.
Screenshot by Holly Taylor | MagicSchool | Informational Texts Generator

Imagine this: You’re teaching a unit during Women’s History Month, and you want your 5th grade students to learn about the remarkable Maya Angelou. Instead of spending hours searching for suitable texts, you can simply use the Informational Texts Generator. It can instantly create a grade-level appropriate text about this influential writer and activist. Now, your students can dive into Maya Angelou’s inspiring journey without spending hours creating, adapting, or searching for a supplemental resource. 

2. Diffit

Diffit provides literacy teachers with a way to differentiate texts by changing the reading levels.
Screenshot by Holly Taylor | Diffit | “Get Resources” Page

As educators, we’re always seeking ways to meet the diverse needs of our students. Diffit is an AI tool designed specifically for creating leveled activities. Imagine being a 4th grade teacher who wants to differentiate an article about Lewis and Clark. You need to make it accessible for struggling readers or ESL students. With Diffit, you can level up or down any article to match the needs of your students. The Lewis and Clark article can be uploaded directly to the Diffit platform and adjusted to a 3rd-grade level. Now, struggling readers can engage with the content effectively.

Diffit doesn’t stop at adjusting the text. It goes the extra mile by generating a vocabulary list, multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and more. These resources empower literacy teachers to seamlessly differentiate instruction based on individual student needs. Using Diffit, teachers can ensure that all students can access the same text at a level that suits them. Whether a struggling reader or an advanced learner, everyone benefits from personalized content.

3. Twee

Screenshot by Emily Horn | Twee | Tools Page

In the context of K-12 education, AI tools like Twee offer exciting possibilities for enhancing literacy instruction. One of Twee’s standout features is its dialogue-based “Create a dialogue on any topic” tool. With Twee, you can input any subject, generating an original conversation between characters or historical figures. For instance, I used this tool to create a dialogue centered around Lewis and Clark, the famous explorers. Here’s an example of the conversation that was generated:  

Lewis:  Hey, Clark. Are you awake? Thought I’d check out the map one last time before we hit the trail.

Clark: Yeah, just sittin’ here boiling up our coffee water and trying to get warm in front of this fire. Brrr…it’s colder than yesterday!

Lewis: Looks like we’re gonna have another tough day sloggin’ through these hills again with all that underbrush slowing us down. During breakfast I may break open a pouch containing ten grains of dried peas which has been sweetened with molasses. What do you think?

Clark: Sounds yummy. What about dinner?

Students can read this dialogue in groups or even transform it into a Readers’ Theater script for an interactive experience. By exploring dialogues generated by Twee, students gain insights into historical context and character perspectives. It’s a powerful way to foster critical thinking and make learning come alive.

In our literacy classrooms, integrating AI with the educator’s touch holds great promise. As we explore AI tools like MagicSchool, Diffit, and Twee, we unlock pathways to enriching student learning experiences with AI as a trusted co-pilot. From leveling articles to generating dialogues, these tools save time and enhance our teaching. They’re not here to replace us but can amplify our impact. Take what’s generated, personalize, adapt, and tailor it to your students’ needs. Or use it as a springboard for discussions, projects, or collaborative activities. Let your imagination soar and weave your unique touch into your students’ learning experiences.

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7 benefits of audiobooks for struggling readers.
English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Reading

Seven Ways Audiobooks Benefit Struggling Readers

by Chris Buecksler
written by Chris Buecksler

Technology is the great equalizer for students who have challenges accessing grade-level texts. Audiobooks are an “easy button” technology tool that can provide immediate access for students while optimizing teacher time and resources. 

Audiobooks Are Supports, Not Replacements

Teacher working with struggling reader in 1:1 reading instruction.

It’s important to note that audiobooks should not replace traditional reading instruction entirely. There is a time and a place for struggling readers to read within their decoding ability— when working on explicit skill building in a one-to-one or small group setting. All other times, when students need to read for grade-level assignments and participate in classwork or self-select titles for pleasure reading, they need access at their grade-level or cognitive level. That said, let’s look at eight ways audiobooks are beneficial when it comes to supporting reading interventions.

The Benefits of Audiobooks

1. Auditory Learning and Multisensory Approach

Some students are auditory learners, meaning they grasp information better when they hear it. Audiobooks allow struggling readers to access content through their sense of hearing, potentially improving comprehension and retention. Audiobooks provide a multisensory experience by combining auditory input with the visual aspect of following along with the text. This dual approach can reinforce understanding and help struggling readers make connections between spoken words and written text.

Struggling readers using audiobooks in the classroom to read the same text as their peers.

2. Access to Vocabulary

Listening to audiobooks, especially those with human narration, exposes struggling readers to correct pronunciation and varied vocabulary. This can enhance their language skills and contribute to a richer vocabulary, which is vital as the demand for higher-level word exposure increases as students age.

3. Increased Comprehension

Audiobooks can help struggling readers reduce their cognitive load. The student does not need to expend mental energy on the task of decoding so they can focus on comprehension. Learning through listening can enhance comprehension, as it allows listeners to focus on understanding the content without the added challenge of decoding written words.

4. Access to Grade-Level Material

Audiobooks enable struggling readers to access more complex and age-appropriate material than they might be able to read independently. This exposure to higher-level content can help them develop a deeper understanding of various subjects. Students can read the same books as their peers, allowing them to participate in class discussions with confidence.

5. Flexibility and Accessibility

Struggling reading listens to and reads and audiobook on the metro bus.

Audiobooks are flexible and can be listened to almost anywhere, allowing struggling readers to integrate reading into their daily routines. Additionally, audiobooks are accessible to individuals with print disabilities, such as dyslexia, making reading more inclusive. Students can download books onto their personal, online bookshelf, which can be accessed with or without internet access at school and at home 24/7. For example, the Learning Ally Audiobook SolutionTM is compatible with PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Android, and iOS devices.

6. Independence

Audiobooks provide struggling readers with the opportunity to engage with literature independently. This independence can boost their confidence and motivate them to explore a wider range of texts.

7. Encouragement and Enjoyment

Audiobooks can make the reading experience more enjoyable for struggling readers. The engaging narrators, sound effects, and overall production can capture their interest, fostering a positive attitude toward reading.

The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution can remove the barriers to reading, permitting your students to read and learn along with their peers. Audiobooks provide a quick win for you in terms of improving your students’ reading and literacy skills. 

Now, through an exclusive partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), any public school in Texas can bring the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution to their students at no cost! Take advantage of the TEA funding and get started with audiobooks at no out-of-pocket cost to your school or district. Get started today!

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Digital reading room
iOS Tips and TricksReading

Online Reading Programs and Digital Apps

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Looking for some ways to supplement your reading interventions? Here are a few AI-recommended solutions with reflections about each one. We’ll explore 21 supplemental online reading programs and a list of 6 iOS apps, including reading titles and content. Ready to dive in?

Five Reading Strategies

Before we look at the online programs and apps, let’s take a moment to revisit my top five favorite high-effect size instructional strategies. What I like about these strategies is that students can learn to use them independently while reading. So, once students have learned them, they can apply them when using supplemental reading materials.

A list of high yield strategies in an infographic with links to more information for each.
Infographic created by the author | Edit or download the infographic.

Now that you have some strategies, consider these sources of digital reading material and online reading programs.

What AI Was Used?

We prompted several AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Perplexity, and POE. Perplexity and POE offered more varied responses than ChatGPT and Claude, but less in total. While ChatGPT and Claude didn’t provide links, Perplexity and POE did.

THE PROMPT:
What online reading programs can be used as supplemental intervention for struggling readers that are inexpensive or available at no-cost?

-TCEA Staff

21 Online Reading Programs

Here are the responses in alphabetical order. Items with an asterisk appeared on lists from multiple AI. The summaries of each online program were provided by the AI generating them. For a few, I wrote the summary or tweaked the one provided.

  1. ABCmouse: While ABCmouse is a subscription-based program, it often offers free trials. It covers a wide range of subjects, including reading, and is suitable for early learners.
  2. BeReading’s Free Reading Program: The Free Reading Program, initiated by Be Reading, is a K-6 reading, language, and grammar program that provides over 3,500 activities to improve reading comprehension, language, grammar, and spelling skills. It is available at no cost, promoted through various local organizations, and used internationally in schools.
  3. Book Adventure: This interactive and educational online platform is designed to encourage and motivate young readers to develop their reading skills while having fun.
  4. Bookshare: Bookshare is a free program for students with disabilities that affect their ability to read. It provides access to a vast collection of accessible eBooks.
  5. CommonLit: This resource features an extensive collection of reading passages and question sets for data tracking. It’s entirely free to teachers and students.
  6. Epic!: Epic! is a digital library for kids aged 12 and under. It offers a 30-day free trial, and after that, it’s available at a monthly subscription fee. Epic! provides access to thousands of books, audiobooks, and educational videos.
  7. International Children’s Digital Library: This digital library curates children’s books in different languages for free online reading.
  8. LibriVox: Volunteers read books from the public domain aloud and upload audio recordings. All books and resources are free.
  9. Newsela*: Newsela provides news articles at different reading levels, allowing students to choose texts that match their abilities. It offers a free basic version with limited access to articles. But it can be a valuable resource for improving reading comprehension.
  10. PBS Kids: PBS Kids offers a range of educational games, videos, and activities, including reading games and interactive storybooks. The content is aligned with educational standards and is designed to support early literacy development.
  11. Prodigy English: Prodigy English offers a brand-new adventure that introduces kids to a world filled with adventures, wishes, and more ways to practice reading and language skills. It is available for free.
  12. Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg offers over 60,000 free eBooks, including many classic literary works. While it may not have the interactive features of other programs, it’s a valuable resource for accessing a wide range of reading materials.
  13. Raz-Kids*: While Raz-Kids requires a subscription, it often offers free trials. It provides hundreds of eBooks at 29 different levels of reading difficulty.
  14. Reading Eggs: This structured online reading program uses visual accompaniments and self-paced lessons to motivate struggling readers and improve their skills.
  15. Reading Rockets*: Reading Rockets offers a collection of free reading resources, strategies, and activities to help struggling readers. It provides valuable tips for teachers, parents, and tutors.
  16. ReadTheory: ReadTheory is a free online reading comprehension program that provides personalized reading practice for students. It adapts to the student’s skill level and offers passages and questions at an appropriate difficulty level to help improve reading comprehension skills.
  17. ReadWorks: ReadWorks offers a wide range of reading comprehension lessons and resources for students of all ages. It’s a free platform that provides high-quality texts and questions to improve reading skills.
  18. Starfall*: Starfall is a free public service that helps young readers learn to read and write with phonics. It’s designed for pre-K through third grade students and offers interactive activities and games.
  19. Storyline Online: Actors read popular children’s books alongside illustrations in videos on Storyline Online with free video streaming.
  20. Teach Your Monster to Read: This website offers a series of engaging and interactive games that help children learn to read. It covers phonics, sight words, and other essential reading skills. The desktop version is free, and there is a paid app version for mobile devices.
  21. Vooks: Vooks is an entire library of storybooks brought to life with beautiful animation, read-aloud narration, engaging music and sound, and read-along text.

You will want to visit each online reading program and decide the best use of these tools for your students.

iOS Reading Apps Available for Free

A fun follow-up question to AI is, “What iOS reading apps can be used as a supplemental intervention for struggling readers at no cost?” ChatGPT offered the following responses:

  1. ABCmouse. While ABCmouse requires a subscription, it does offer a limited number of free activities and books. It covers a wide range of subjects, including reading and literacy.
  2. Epic! – Kids’ Books and Videos. Epic! offers a vast library of digital books, audiobooks, and educational videos for kids. It includes a Read-to-Me feature that can assist struggling readers.
  3. Novel Effect: Read Aloud Books. Novel Effect offers books that you can read out loud. It includes book activity plans that you can export to PDF.
  4. Raz-Kids. Raz-Kids provides hundreds of eBooks at 29 different levels of reading difficulty. It offers interactive quizzes and recordings to support reading comprehension.
  5. Sight Words Reading Games ABC. This is a reading program for young children aged 2-7. The program aims to prepare children for kindergarten and school. [*Updated entry. See note below for previous entry]
  6. Starfall Learn to Read. Starfall’s Learn to Read app is designed for early readers. Through interactive stories and activities, it offers a systematic approach to phonics and phonemic awareness.

*Note: This item removed from the list per the update in the comments: Sight Words Learning Games & Reading Flashcards: This app focuses on teaching sight words, which are essential for early reading. It includes games and flashcards to make learning engaging.

With these online reading programs, reading apps, and reading strategies in your back pocket, you’re sure to supplement reading interventions and encourage students to read. The most important reading is self-directed reading, which promotes autonomy, independence, and engages students’ minds. Which program or app will you try first?

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4 Reading Comprehension Strategies of CSR: Preview, Click & Clunk, Get the Gist, and Wrap up. Adaptable for any grade level.
Common Core State StandardsContent AreasEnglish Language Arts Reading (ELAR)HistoryReadingScienceSocial StudiesTEKS

The Four Reading Comprehension Strategies of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR)

by Emily Horn
written by Emily Horn

What is CSR?

CSR is a cooperative learning approach that can be used in any grade level and with students of varied reading levels and abilities. It’s meant to primarily boost reading comprehension when it comes to expository and nonfiction texts, like for science and social studies. However, it can be used for narrative texts as well. CSR is an evidence-based approach where students work through the text together in small groups using four reading comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading:

  1. Preview (before reading)
  2. Click and Clunk (during reading)
  3. Get the Gist (during reading)
  4. Wrap It Up (after reading)
Explanations of 4 Reading Strategies of CSR from IRIS Center
Screenshot by the author: The Iris Center, Overview of the CSR Reading Strategies

Getting Started with CSR

It’s important to note that before students begin using the CSR process in a group, they will need to learn and practice the four strategies on their own. Using a Gradual Release of Responsibility approach, you can introduce each reading comprehension strategy in a separate mini-lesson, modeling it for the class. Then, students can practice the strategy with a partner or in a small group. Once they’ve got the strategy with guided support, they can begin to practice it on their own until they are ready to use the strategy cooperatively.

Materials Needed for CSR:

  • Learning Log: A graphic organizer where students make notes throughout the process.
  • Cue Cards: Prompts for the different roles in the groups to use.
  • Clunk Cards: Four “fix-up” strategies for students to use if they reach a roadblock.
  • Timer (optional)

Here are some great free CSR materials, complete with cue cards, clunk cards, and a learning log, available for download from IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University. Also, they provide role cards with explanations for each student’s role in the group.

IRIS Center Leader Cue Card for CSR tasks
Screenshot by the author: Example Leader Cue Cards from IRIS Center’s Free Materials for CSR

Student Roles:

Each group member is given a specific role, so all students in the group are responsible for a task. Potential student roles (depending on group sizes) are:

  • Leader
  • Gist Expert
  • Announcer
  • Timekeeper
  • Clunk Expert
  • Encourager
  • Reporter

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the four reading comprehension strategies that make up this approach!

The Four Reading Comprehension Strategies

1. Preview

Preview section of the CSR Learning Log
Example Preview section of the CSR Learning Log created by the author (provided at the end of the article).

During the text preview, students work together for a short period to look at important text features like headings, subheadings, bolded words, charts, graphs, images, etc. The purpose of the preview is to activate students’ prior knowledge and get them to ask questions, make predictions, and boost their curiosity on the topic. During this time, the teacher can walk around and ask each group about their observations, predictions, and questions regarding the text. Helpful prompts for students (that can be included in a learning log graphic organizer) might be:

  • What knowledge do you already have on this topic?
  • What do you expect or hope to learn?
  • What questions do you have on this topic?

IRIS Center suggests giving students 12 minutes for this reading comprehension strategy. Once they’ve shared with the group and completed the “Preview” section of the learning log, it’s time to share with the class.

2. Click and Clunk

CSR Clunks & Gists Strategy - Learning Log
Example Clunks and Gists section of the CSR Learning Log created by the author (provided at the end of the article).

During this part of CSR, students begin reading a section of the text and monitoring their comprehension. This means students are using metacognition (thinking about thinking) to check their understanding as they move through the text. “Clicks” are parts of the text that the readers understand. “Clunks” are aspects of the text that readers find to be roadblocks to understanding, like unknown words or concepts.

Monitoring comprehension builds confidence and independence when it comes to reading. Working on this in a group can push students who may not usually stop to explore “clunks” to do so, resulting in increased reading comprehension. After reading a pre-determined section (a paragraph, a few paragraphs, or a page, for example), the students go over clicks and clunks. After identifying the “clunks”, the Clunk Expert can guide the group in the following reading comprehension strategies:

  • Reread the sentence with the clunk and look for key ideas to help you figure out the word. Think about what makes sense.
  • Reread the sentences before and after the clunk, looking for clues.
  • Look for a prefix, root word, or suffix that might help.
  • Break the word apart and look for smaller words that you know.
“Toward a Humanistic Instruction: Collaborative Strategic Reading Approach and EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension”

3. Get the Gist

After previewing the text, identifying clicks and clunks, and working through clunks, students begin to identify the main ideas of the predetermined sections of text together to demonstrate reading comprehension. This is a summarizing activity that gets students to restate what they read in their own words (IRIS Center suggests 10 or fewer words) without getting too detailed. CALIReads suggests students follow three steps:

  1. Name the who or the what.
  2. Tell the most important thing about the who or the what.
  3. Say it in about 10 words.

Get the Gist is a great retelling reading comprehension strategy that allows students to recall important information from the text and summarize it, which solidifies their learning.

4. Wrap Up

Wrap Up section of the CSR Learning Log
Example Wrap Up section of the CSR Learning Log created by the author (provided at the end of the article).

In this final step, students work with their group to come up with questions and correlating answers about the reading. They can think about “who, what, where, when, why, and how,” and they can speculate as to what questions a teacher might ask about the text. If needed, question stems can help prompt students to form deeper questions. After noting questions in their learning logs, they share them with their group and answer the questions together, writing down and reviewing what they learned.

CSR Learning Log Editable Template
Created by the author: Access the editable template.

This cooperative learning approach to content-based reading can boost comprehension of everything from textbook chapters to nonfiction articles and more. Can you picture using CSR in your classroom? If you introduce these strategies to your students, let us know how it goes! We’d love to hear about your results.

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Blog banner with black background and colorful circles with the article title in white.
Digital LiteracyReading

Going Beyond Digital Literacy: Fostering Readers as Learners

by Kristine Seale
written by Kristine Seale

Open your favorite website (maybe you are already on it!). What do you notice on the page? What percentage is text, pictures, videos, ads, or links? Chances are the sites you typically frequent do not feature endless pages of information. You are far more likely to encounter sites that rely heavily on visuals, audio, and graphics to convey information. Maryanne Wolf, author and brain researcher, says, “young readers have to develop a bi-literate brain – learning the needed skills and dispositions for paper and digital reading in tandem – much in the way children who are raised to speak two languages develop their skills.” So what kind of skills do students need to develop good reading behaviors across print and digital media? Let’s explore how we can foster readers as learners.

Why Is Digital Literacy Important?

In today’s digital society, information has become more widespread and easily accessible, which means our students have more knowledge at their fingertips than any other generation in history. Consequently, educators must shift into the role of “facilitator” to empower students to take ownership of their own development as readers and learners. Literacy in our digital world means students must learn to evaluate ALL the information they encounter to make sense of the world. Fostering readers as learners means ensuring students understand that reading skills are life skills. As educators, we must leverage resources so students develop the ability to learn whatever they want to learn in a variety of digital and print formats and platforms.

How to Promote Literacy Success Across the Board

However, fostering readers will not happen if educators never help students make connections beyond a short block of reading time. Let’s take a look at several ways we can help students develop and hone the thinking skills they need to be successful across all settings, platforms, and genres. 

1. Leverage the Gradual Release of Responsibility framework for the development of cognitive strategies that support all learners.

Colorful graphic explaining the process of building student independence through gradual release of responsibility.

The Gradual Release of Responsibility model works well to support building thinking skills in students no matter the format of the information. It helps move them toward independence, both when teaching strategies and teaching content. Our interactions with students change because the explicit teaching point will be different the first time you teach a skill compared to the third or fourth. As our students take on more of the responsibility of using the skills and strategies, they are also able to take on a higher level of thinking work.

When this model is employed effectively, all students, even those who may be otherwise missing background knowledge, are able to build and draw upon the necessary schema to make learning possible. This, in turn, facilitates the development of deeper cognitive thinking. Students who are comfortable using cognitive strategies are more flexible, strategic, and productive in their learning processes because they are learning how to think critically. They are doing more than learning material; they are learning HOW to learn. 

Pink and yellow graphic outlining three cognitive strategies to promote literacy and deep learning.

2. Leverage blended learning to support small group literacy instruction and conferring.

The less time we spend talking, the more time we have to work with students. Blended learning bridges the gap and helps keep all students focused, even when they aren’t with you. The station rotation model, in particular, works well at the elementary level to allow the teacher to differentiate based on diverse student needs. This includes choosing a form of Personalized Learning that fits, when appropriate. We want to stick closely to our literacy instructional strategies that work and use them to leverage the time we have effectively and efficiently. 

Colorful graphic with ideas for literacy station rotations that are offline, collaborative, online, and lead by the teacher.

3. Explicitly teach reading comprehension strategies to promote the transfer of literacy skills.

The goal is for comprehension strategies to become internalized and automatic, naturally occurring to synthesize information without the conscious thought of the reader. We also have to teach that these literacy skills transfer across subjects, genres, and platforms. The skills that you use to understand how a character is feeling are the same skills you might use to understand the motivations of important people throughout history. This is true if you read about them in texts or learn about them through other forms of multimedia. 

Circular graphic outlining goals, skills, and strategies for planning literacy skills.

In addition to this explicit instruction, it’s also vital to provide students with opportunities to respond to texts and other types of media and to choose response types and tools that work across the curriculum. Canva, Flip, Seesaw, and Book Creator are all examples of tools that can be taught once and then used in a variety of ways throughout the year for students to demonstrate evidence of their learning. They can be used with strategies like these: 

Five strategies to promote literacy and make learning visible.

4. Teach and model with a variety of media and text formats. 

In our world today, we have access to information on such a large scale. Not only do we have more information to evaluate, summarize, and synthesize; but we also have more ways that information is presented. Modeling and teaching with all the different types of media is crucial to student literacy and reading success. This includes honoring and acknowledging that formats like audiobooks, graphic novels, vlogs, and other less traditional media are all valid and respectable avenues for learning! 

In their book “Read the World,” Ziemke and Muhtaris include lessons that explicitly teach ways for students to “read” images, videos, graphics, and artifacts. But more importantly, we can’t just teach students how to do these things. We must model and continue to scaffold these strategies (both in print and digital) so students can transfer them into their everyday reading and thinking habits. 

What will learning look like tomorrow?

As we work to support our students in literacy and learning at high levels, we must continue to think about what learning will look like tomorrow. If students are taught not just how to read, but how to learn in our digital world, they will be empowered to reach whatever goals they choose to set for themselves. And they’ll have the skills needed to do so. When we marry our tried and true instructional practices that work with authentic opportunities and real-world connections that take learning outside of the instructional block, we can have an enormous impact on the capabilities of the students we teach every day. 

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