Below is a list of a variety of teaching resources that will aid in teaching children's literature. It is so important to seek resources when teaching any lesson and to have a variety of ways to incorporate the lessons.
A great local resource for literature and education is The Given's Bookstore on Lakeside Drive in Lynchburg, VA.
Given's Bookstore website
Web Sites:
1. Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/
Scholastic Inc.
This site has everything. It has countless tools and resources available within the site. Lesson plans are available. There's a feature to search for certain books by reading/grade level or by similar books. There are several activity ideas to use with students utilizing the whiteboard and other technology. There's a teacher store also available on the site.
2. Harper Collins Children's
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Teachers/
Harper Collins
This site contains tons of teaching guides for books. All the teaching guides are in alphabetical order or can be searched for easy finding. Printouts and activities are also available.
3. Teaching Resources
http://www.lauracandler.com/
Laura Candler
This site was created by a grade school teacher so it's from a teacher's perspective. The site offers resources on all grade school subjects not just literature/reading. She has several classroom and teaching strategies for all subjects. She has many free printouts available as well as books and teacher packs that she's written.
4. Discovery Education
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/search/page/k-5/english-language-arts/-/-/index.cfm?campaign=flyout_teachers_k5_la
Discovery Education
This site has lesson plans available for almost 500 topics within literature. Examples are webbing, Brothers Grimm, and grammar. Lesson plans are also available for different books such as Charlotte's Web and Bridge to Terabithia. This site has so much more available in all subjects and also links to other good resources.
5. Random House Teachers & Librarians
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/
Random House Inc.
This site is comparable to Scholastic. This is a really good source with multiple tools. Books are separating by reading level and easy to find. There is a link to use with the whiteboard. There are also reading guides and conversation starters to get students talking about the book.
Non-Web Sources:
1. Highlights Magazine
These educational magazines are on a monthly subscription. There are 3 different “levels” to fit different age groups. It encourages kids to read because it's full of fun, silly stories and puzzles.
2. The Reading Teacher
International Reading Association/Published monthly September-May with a combined Dec/Jan issue (8 issues yearly)
The Reading Teacher gives practical teaching ideas. It is written by educators for educators, so the writers have first-hand experience with the information and have used it themselves.
3. Instructor
Magazine by Scholastic
This magazine is full of ideas and information on classroom management and also “how to's” on getting grants and surviving your first year of teaching. This would definitely be a magazine I get upon finishing school.
Characteristics of reliable web-sites:
4. Scan the page.
5. Quality of information.
A great local resource for literature and education is The Given's Bookstore on Lakeside Drive in Lynchburg, VA.
Given's Bookstore website
Web Sites:
1. Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/
Scholastic Inc.
This site has everything. It has countless tools and resources available within the site. Lesson plans are available. There's a feature to search for certain books by reading/grade level or by similar books. There are several activity ideas to use with students utilizing the whiteboard and other technology. There's a teacher store also available on the site.
2. Harper Collins Children's
http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Teachers/
Harper Collins
This site contains tons of teaching guides for books. All the teaching guides are in alphabetical order or can be searched for easy finding. Printouts and activities are also available.
3. Teaching Resources
http://www.lauracandler.com/
Laura Candler
This site was created by a grade school teacher so it's from a teacher's perspective. The site offers resources on all grade school subjects not just literature/reading. She has several classroom and teaching strategies for all subjects. She has many free printouts available as well as books and teacher packs that she's written.
4. Discovery Education
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/search/page/k-5/english-language-arts/-/-/index.cfm?campaign=flyout_teachers_k5_la
Discovery Education
This site has lesson plans available for almost 500 topics within literature. Examples are webbing, Brothers Grimm, and grammar. Lesson plans are also available for different books such as Charlotte's Web and Bridge to Terabithia. This site has so much more available in all subjects and also links to other good resources.
5. Random House Teachers & Librarians
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/
Random House Inc.
This site is comparable to Scholastic. This is a really good source with multiple tools. Books are separating by reading level and easy to find. There is a link to use with the whiteboard. There are also reading guides and conversation starters to get students talking about the book.
Non-Web Sources:
1. Highlights Magazine
These educational magazines are on a monthly subscription. There are 3 different “levels” to fit different age groups. It encourages kids to read because it's full of fun, silly stories and puzzles.
2. The Reading Teacher
International Reading Association/Published monthly September-May with a combined Dec/Jan issue (8 issues yearly)
The Reading Teacher gives practical teaching ideas. It is written by educators for educators, so the writers have first-hand experience with the information and have used it themselves.
3. Instructor
Magazine by Scholastic
This magazine is full of ideas and information on classroom management and also “how to's” on getting grants and surviving your first year of teaching. This would definitely be a magazine I get upon finishing school.
Characteristics of reliable web-sites:
- Has an “About the Author” tab.
- List of credentials? If author has a ph. D it's probably accurate.
- Any expertise? Make sure it's not just a random person giving information.
- Google them. Google author to see credentials or more information.
- Look at the domain name.
- .edu = educational
- .com = commercial
- .mil = military
- .gov = government
- .org = nonprofit
- For the most part anything with .edu , .mil , or .gov are accurate sources.
- Hobby?
- Public service?
- Sell?
- Educate?
4. Scan the page.
- Cluttered?
- Popups?
- Professional?
5. Quality of information.
- Recently updated?
- Sources cited?