If you are searching for FREE online literacy materials for grades 3-12, check out commonlit.org. This resource contains research-based resources which are teacher designed and aligned to the Common Core. The site is easy to use for both students and teachers.
A quick survey of the library shows nearly 1500 articles. The search and filter option allows you to search for your own keywords, for specific grade levels (two grade levels in each bracket), lexile, popularity, recent additions, alphabetically, by theme, genres, related texts, or literary devices. It is much more comprehensive than search options I have seen in expensive reading programs!
A quick look at the THEME option gives the teacher essential questions to discuss and read about with their students. Questions are engaging and themes are well thought out.
Student Supports
The number of tools available to support learners is surprising for a free program. In addition to presenting texts in Spanish, there are many other supports for ELL students, IEP students, or any student needing scaffolding. The accessibility toolbar leads students to a definition, translation, or they can hear the text read aloud. In addition there is a highlighter tool.
One of my favorite supports is the Guided Reading Mode. This divides the texts into chunks and asks the students to answer some basic comprehension questions before they move forward. Students can also increase or decrease font size to a comfortable reading size.
Reliability
The list of partners for CommonLit is available on their website and is a stellar group of partners who have helped provide the quality reading materials. There is also a section on research which makes some general statements related to reading research but also includes some experimental results.
Teacher Supports
All passages, intros, and questions are printable as PDF documents. There are also sample lessons available showing the different purposes of the texts. There is also a template teachers can download for creating their own lessons. A blog provides helpful information for teachers such as “10 Texts About World-Changing Individuals” or “Encourage Students to Embrace a Growth Mindset.”
Recordkeeping is a snap with this program. After creating an account, the teacher can enter student data or import from Google Classroom. You can assign texts to small groups or the entire class and determine if you want the article chunked using the Guided Reading Mode. After setting a due date, click assign. Easy tracking is available to determine who has submitted an assignment, what needs to be graded, and when you want grades released to students.
The Cons
Not much to say here! This is well-developed for any program. For a free program (with a commitment to stay free, it is top notch. The only cons I can think of would be that some of the features are not available on the mobile or I-pad versions–but that is certainly not a deal breaker.
Check out the website and see for yourself!
CommonLit.org
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Searching for print materials for engaging background information related to a Day in History?
Half Price Compared to Buying Individually! Or buy any single set of passages for $3.00
Questions for each passage appear in standardized test format, helping students to prepare for high-stakes testing. Each passage contains these types of questions
Main idea
Vocabulary
Organizational patterns
InferenceM
Summarizing
Nonfiction passages are based on events which occurred on this day in history. Although the topic was selected to correspond to a historical event, the passage is completely stand-alone and appropriate for any day of the year. Mix and match by purchasing the topics you want or save with monthly bundles and give your students daily opportunities to develop background knowledge and improve their comprehension.
Nonfiction passages are based on events which occurred on this day in history. Although the topic was selected to correspond to a historical event, the passage is completely stand-alone and appropriate for any day of the year. Mix and match by purchasing the topics you want or save with monthly bundles and give your students daily opportunities to develop background knowledge and improve their comprehension.
Nov 1, Stamp Act
Nov 2, Dewey Defeats Truman
Nov 3, Annie Oakley
Nov 6, UN Condemns Apartheid
Nov 7, Marie Curie
Nov 8, The Louvre
Nov 9, Carl Sagan
Nov 10, Stanley finds Dr. Livingstone
Nov 13, Military Draft
Nov 14, Nellie Bly
Nov 15, Articles of Confederation
Nov 16, Alaskan Pipeline Authorized
Nov 17,Chichen Itza
Nov 20, International Space Station
Nov 21, Iran-Contra Scandal
Nov 22,King-Riggs Battle of Sexes
Nov 27,Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Nov 28,James Naismith
Nov 29, Kennedy Assassination and Warren Commission
Nov 30, Mark Twain