Have you found a website that has been invaluable to you as a literacy teacher (or as the teacher of any other subject area for that matter)?  A colleague recently turned me on to the website www.ChoiceLiteracy.com.  I have finally had some time this summer to start exploring it.  Wow!  This site has so much to offer!  Maybe you haven’t been in the dark like me and already knew about Choice Literacy, but if you haven’t visited yet, I encourage you to do so.  You can subscribe to the site for a quarterly or annual fee, but there are MANY resources that are free without a membership.  One free resource is a weekly e-newsletter called “The Big Fresh” which delivers to your inbox weekly tools, tips, and strategies for literacy leaders.  The contributing authors include the following literacy experts: Jennifer Allen, Aimee Buckner, Jan Miller Burkins, Andie Cunningham, Shari Frost, Landrigan & Mulligan, Shirley McPhillips, Debbie Miller, Brenda Power, Heather Rader, Ruth Shagoury, Franki Sibberson, and The Two Sisters.   Click here to see last week’s newsletter and let me know what you think!

I also invite you to post comments recommending your favorite websites.

Mentor Texts for the Traits of Writing
This site lists picture books that can be used to model each of the traits of good writing. Suggested grade levels and teaching ideas are included.

Picture Book of the Day
Each day this site features a new picture book that can be used to teach the six traits of good writing. Includes a one-sentence summary, an excerpt from the book, and 6-trait mini-lesson suggestions.

Book Savors: Reading Like a Writer
Every day or two the writer of this blog posts another picture book, gives a summary, and then lists several of her “noticings” or “savorings”, as she calls them, about the author’s use of craft.

Two Writing Teachers
Two writing teachers reflect and blog about the teaching of writing and bring other writing teachers together to share ideas and stretch each other’s thinking.

Writing Fix
This site features lists and lists of mentor texts for teaching the traits of writing and links to lessons for each.

Teaching That Makes Sense
This link takes you to an article entitled “Read Like a Reader, Read Like a Writer” by Steve Peha. It leads you through some valuable exercises that help you read like a writer, taking note of the author’s use of the six traits of writing. Also check out the full website Teaching That Makes Sense for many valuable resources.

It’s Always the Write Time
This link takes you to some handouts from a conference session about writing workshop. It outlines year-long curriculum ideas for grades K-2. Pages 12-15 provide lists of wonderful mentor texts for grades K-2.

Inside Writing Communities
This site is a gold mine. At this site you will find a complete 8-session online workshop complete with free video training. Session topics include Building a Community of Writers, Reasons for Writing, Reading Like A Writer, Teaching the Writing Craft, Conversations with Student Writers, Conversations Among Writing Peers, Learning to Revise, Writing Across the Curriculum. Also check out the home page at Learner.org for additional courses and graduate credit options.

Reading Like Writers, Writing Like Readers: Mentor Texts
This site focuses on the craft of structure and of ways with words. It lists many different writing crafts and mentor texts that contain examples of each craft.

Readers Theatre

Reading Lady

Aaron Shepard

Lorraine Griffith

Timeless Teacher Stuff

Reading Lady
This site has a wealth of information for teaching comprehension strategies, guided reading, and more! You can download free comprehension posters and ready-to-use strategy lessons. Highly recommended!

Reading Quest
At this site you will find many research-based activities to improve comprehension complete with reproducibles to support the activities. Many graphic organizers available).

Author Studies
Author study projects created by a Title 1 reading specialist in North Dakota.

Bookends
Nonprofit organization that recycles children’s books through student-run book drives and places them in schools and youth organizations in need of books. BookEnds believes that a literate child is the foundation of a thriving community.

Book Mooch
Give away books you don’t need in exchange for books you want.  You can also arrange to send free books to kids in children’s hospitals.

Booktalks Quick and Simple
Ideas for booktalking in your classroom. Teachers and students can submit their own booktalks.

Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site
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, themes and professional topics.

Children’s Lit.com
Book reviews, teaching ideas and author information.

Children’s Literature Web Guide
The comprehensive guide to children’s literature resources on the Internet. Outstanding site.

Database of Award-Winning Children’s Literature
Search for award-winning children’s books by a number of different criteria.

Guys Read
This literacy initiative for boys was created by author Jon Scieszka. Look for recommended reads for boys on this site. Kids can submit their favorite 10 books for guys.

Index to Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators
Includes teacher resource files with links to author biographies, lessons and bibliographies.

Jim Trelease
Articles, booklists, and much more from read-aloud guru Jim Trelease.

Judy Freeman
Children’s literature consultant.  Ideas and tips for using children’s literature.

Junior Great Books

Kids Audible
Most extensive site for finding and ordering children’s books as digital audio.

Kids Reads
At this site kids can find info about favorite books, series, and authors.

Lazy Readers Book Club
The Lazy Readers’ Book Club was created to provide short book recommendations for those who feel they do not have the time to read. Every month Dr. Danny Brassell recommends a total of ten adult, young adult, and children’s book and he tries to feature books that are under 250 pages.

Library Paloosa
Wonderful resource for librarians and media specialist.  Ideas for reading programs. Order FREE character costumes—just pay for shipping.

Mem Fox
Author Mem Fox’s site.  Great resource.  Read all about Mem, her books, the stories behind her books, and much more!

Opening Doors to Social Studies with Children’s Literature

Peggy Sharp 
Excellent reviews and teaching ideas to use with the newest children’s books.

Reading Online Published by the International Reading Association.

Read to Them
Learn about the All School Read to Them program.

Read Write Think
The International Reading Association, National Council of Teachers of English and Marco Polo Education Foundation teamed up to link teachers with high-quality lessons and resources in language arts instruction.

Wonder of Reading
Nonprofit organization whose purpose is to inspire in children the love of reading.