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I use many interactive websites in my class to aid in my language arts instruction. Although there are hundreds from which to choose, I have selected the five websites that I use the most to share with you.

Writing Fix

This site has been sponsored since 2001 by the Northern Nevada Writing Project. Writing Fix has hundreds of ideas for teaching writing. Their site supports resources and ideas from K-12th grade. If you teach writing, I highly recommend checking them out. I am especially fond of their “Mentor-Text” Lessons. On the homepage, there is a blue menu bar at the top left. On the bar, you will see Mentor Text Lessons. Hover over it. Another menu appears. Choose the grade level section that you teach. When you scroll down you will see picture books that are labeled with one of the six-traits. Click on the picture book to see the entire lesson plan. They have hundreds of lessons for each of the traits, but their most popular six are always front and center for you to see. Each picture book lesson is written out step-by-step. They also provide graphic organizers, student samples, and interactive story starters for each lesson. My students get so excited using them. This is just one of my favorite parts of their website. Check it out and get lost in the hundreds of lessons written by great teachers.

Visit Writing Fix >>

FCRR (Florida Center for Reading Research)

This site was established in 2002 and is administered at Florida State University. The FCRR has a wealth of resources for reading instruction. If you need reading resources, this site has it! My favorite part of the site is the “Student Center Activities.” From the homepage, look to the right and you will see red text. Click on Student Center Activities for the grade you teach. These activities are broken up into these categories: Teacher Resource Guide, Phonemic Awareness and Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Each section is in PDF format. You can save these activities, print them, and use them in your classroom.

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Starfall

Starfall opened its website in 2002 and supports grades K-2, special education, and English language learners. Their website works great with an interactive white board, yet also support students working independently at centers. It’s bright, colorful, and it makes learning fun. The website is mostly free, but has sections that you can subscribe too. They also have books, writing journals, games, and even a Starfall CD to purchase if the internet is a problem.

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Book Pals

The Storyline Online website is a program of the Screen Actors’ Guild Foundation. The website features streaming video of actors reading picture books. The site works great with an interactive whiteboard, but could also be used at individual student centers. Each book has an activity guide to go along with it. Some of the actors include: Amanda Bynes, Haylie Duff, Jane Kaczmarek, Robert Guillaume, Betty White, plus many more.

Visit BookPals >>

Between the Lions

Between the Lions has great videos to teach phonics in the lower elementary classroom. Every day, we take a few minutes to stand up and sing and dance to these songs. During reading, if a student struggles, another student in the group will help them out, and they almost always refer to one of the songs from Between the Lions. The videos look great on an interactive whiteboard, but it could also be used to reinforce concepts during reading groups or reading center activities as well.

Visit Between the Lions >>

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