Literature, Language Arts, and Reading
Language ArtsLiterature
Reading
Literacy
Authors
Booklists and Booktalks
Foreign Languages
ESL
Language Arts
HarperChildrensTeachers Guides provide reading strategies, cross-curricular connections, and suggested thematic titles.
Book AdventureWith the click of a mouse, students begin a free, fun-filled, prize packed reading adventure. Includes a free Teachers Guide.
Dositey.comSupplemental education curricula in the Language Arts for grades K-12.
Edufind's Online English GrammarLinks to many English grammar resources.
Guide to Grammar and WritingEverything you ever wanted to know about grammar, includes an AskGrammar feature, quizzes, Powerpoint presentations on grammar topics, sample letters, and a language arts search engine.
Kathy Shrock's Guide for Educators--Literature and Language ArtsAn extensive list of resources related to the language arts.
National Council of Teachers of English Teaching Resource CollectionsLinks to teaching ideas selected from NCTE publications or submitted directly by teachers. This is the elementary page; there are links to middle, secondary, and college resources in the left column.
Cartoons for the ClassroomA site with lessons and activities using editorial cartoons with K-12 students. Part of the Newspapers in Education site
Word FocusEnhancing one's English vocabulary by focusing on the Latin and Greek elements in the English language. Activities with quizzes on word choices and links to sites that provide a variety of word experiences.
Literature
Bartleby.comThousands of free online classics of literature, non-fiction, and reference.
BookFlix
EIU students may use this site by clicking on the password icon above for the current password. Scholastic BookFlix is an online literacy resource that pairs classic video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build a love of reading and learning. The engaging way to link fact and fiction, BookFlix reinforces early reading skills and introduces children to a world of knowledge and exploration.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksA variety of resources including themed bibliographies. Also links to the Center for Childrens Books site that includes extensive literature resources.
Carol Hurst's Childrens' Literature Site
A collection of reviews of great books for kids, ideas of ways to use them in the classroom, and collections of books and activities about particular subjects, curriculum areas, and themes.
Children's Book CouncilLinks to authors and illustrators web sites and to Children's Choices, a graded list of favorite books selected by children.
Database of Award-Winning Children's LiteratureBy using a search engine in this web site, you can choose books for readers based on a variety of criteria, including age of the reader, genre, historical period, and gender of the protagonist.
EdSitementLesson plans for literature and resouce links from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Illinois Children's Choice AwardsAn Illinois Children's Choice Award for Grades K-3.
An Illinois Children's Choice Award for Grades 3-5.
Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award
For this Illinois award, nominated books are selected by a committee; winners are then selected by the votes of students in Illinois schools grades 4-8.
High school students in Illinois select this award.
Internet Public Library Entertainment and Leisure--BooksLinks for browsing and searching for entertaining reading, along with links to sites providing full texts.
Kay Vandergrift's Special Interest PageThis site has bibliographies for the history of children's literature and illustration, anthologies of historical children's literature, a list of children's classics, and helps for studying juvenile literature.
Mr. William Shakespeare and the InternetExcellent resource, electronic Shakespeare texts, and links to other related sites.
Read Across AmericaThis site includes information about the Read Across America Program, as well as lists of the Top 100 Books for Children-one list chosen by children, and the other by teachers (Click on Resources to get to these lists).
TeachingBooks.net
Watch K-12 authors and illustrators in their studios, find book guides and teaching activities, and link to author web sites through this valuable resource for children's and young adult literature.
TumbleBookLibraryTumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love.
Reading
Children's Literature Comprehensive DatabaseThe CLCD presently contains more than 1.4 million catalog records in MARC format that have children's headings assigned. These records come with all of the official cataloging data, subject terms, and annotations. In addition, the database contains more than 260,000 full-text reviews of children’s books from 35 reviewing sources. In many cases, reading levels are included in the catalog record.
Intervention CentralThis web site includes readability analyzers and other tools for reading intervention.
Lexile Framework for ReadingThe Lexile framework provides a common, developmental scale for matching reader ability and text difficulty. Includes a free Lexile Analyzer and Lexile Calculator in the Educator's section of the website.
NoveList K-8
NoveList K-8, a subset of the main NoveList database, is a reader's advisory tool for young people. The interface is geared specifically toward students in grades K-8. The NoveList Learning Center shows teachers how to use NoveList in the classroom. Reading levels are often included.
Picturing BooksInformation about authors and illustrators of picture books. Includes a great glossary and current picture book bestsellers.
Read Write ThinkJointly developed by the International Reading Association, NCTE, and MarcoPolo, this site provides educators and students with access to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction.
Reading A-ZAn online guided reading program using Fountas and Pinnell reading levels. By registering,a user may print 30 sample books.
Literacy
Read.govA website from the Library of Congress that encourages lifelong literacy.
Authors
Authors and IllustratorsLinks to websites of many children's authors and illustrators from Bound to Stay Bound Books.
Author ShowcaseA database of children's authors searchable by birthdate or location.
Booklists and Booktalks
All Together Now Reading ListsThis site, originated by Nancy J. Keane, contains over 1400 reading lists that are now in Wiki format so that they can be added to and edited by users.
This organization provides links to a variety of booklists for various age groups.
These include:
Book Links Magazine
(Articles in Booklinks are available online to the EIU community through EBSCO and Infotrac databases.)
Children's Notable Lists
Young Adult Booklists
Over 5000 booktalks from Nancy Keane (the author of All Together Now Reading Lists, above) meant to be used by teachers and librarians to create interest in a variety of books.
Children's Book Council Reading ListsCBC publishes a variety of reading lists for children, parents, and educators.
Cooperative Children's Book Center BibliographiesBibliographies and booklists of recommended books on a wide range of themes and topics.
Fairrosa Cyber Library of Children's LiteratureOf particular interest in this site are an extensive list of thematic reading lists and a reading room that includes links to magazines and periodicals of potential interest to teachers.
BTC Booklists and BooktalksLinks to booklists developed to meet curricular needs of EIU students using the BTC.
Foreign Languages
EspanOle!An online resource for teachers and students created by a high school teacher.
Language Learning and TechnologyA referreed journal addressing various issues on technology and learning. Focus is on how technology can affect the teaching and learning of foreign languages.
LanguageSkills.co.ukLanguage activities in French, German, Spanish, and Welsh. (Note: this site may be used without cost only outside the hours of 9 am to 4 pm)
Parlez-Vous?A resource for French students and teachers.
Web-based Translation ServiceThis site allows you to translate words, phrases, and even whole web pages into another language. There are 36 languages or dialects included.
ESL
American SlanguagesThis "hick-to-hip" translation guide offers a humorous approach to learning the language of the "Locals: for major cities in the U.S. and internationally."
BBC World Service: Learning EnglishFocuses on learning English in general, not specifically for ESL learners. Offers an opportunity for learners to practice vocabulary and hear English spoken by people with and without a foreign accent.
Dave's ESL Cafe"The Internet's Meeting place for ESL and EFL teachers and students from around the World!"
ESL Independent Study LabOffers a place for ESL learners to practice their skills.
ESL PartylandESL students and teachers can find quizzes, online exercises, lesson plans, a job center, ESL links and more.
ESLGames.comA site dedicated to ESL and EFL English techers. It includes lessons, games, and songs.
Interesting Things for ESL StudentsA free online textbook and study site. Includes word games, puzzles, quizzes, slang, proverbs, and more.
Pizzaz! A Resource for Scribblers and Teachers of English as a Second Language.Offers creative writing activities to assist ESL learner in strengthening their English skills. Provides the K-12 ESL teacher with lesson plans and activities in poetry and fiction.
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening LabHere English learners have the opportunity to hear and read along with spoken English. Quizzes help to check for comprehension.
