A few reading resources

As the new semester begins, I wanted to share with you a few links that I have found to be helpful for EAL students.



1. online magazines that cover current topics over a range of subject areas at a lower readability level

http://www.timeforkids.com/

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

http://teachingkidsnews.com/



Although these sites all are designed for 'kids' they cover topics and issues that are pertinent to adolescents as well. The articles use simpler words and sentence structure, which are easier to read for EAL students and other students who have reading difficulties.



2. tumble book cloud junior (this one is especially good for ELA teachers)

http://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/childrens/funandgames.asp

Click on 'Tumble Book Cloud Junior'

*There is free access to this resource through the Winnipeg Public Library.



This resource offers free audio books online. The texts are read aloud and the words are highlighted as they are read. This is a good resource for students who are both visual and auditory learners. Chapters can be re-read as often as the student wishes. You can also set the text to be a larger font, increase the white space (margins and spaces between words) and the volume. The titles range from classics, graphic novels and modern fiction. There is also a small collection of non-fiction texts- many of which have been produced by the National Geographic Society. The readability level of the books in this resource ranges; the level is usually listed under the title for quick reference. There are many texts here that are at a reading level accessible to our EAL population.

* I have tried this resource with the most reluctant of readers and it was very well -received.