Author: Jessica Edens

Since 2020, the pandemic has impacted all classrooms around the world, whether pushing to fully remote, hybrid or back to in-person. As educators are continued to be challenged, it is important that they have easy access to resources and tools to help support K-12 students. This guide is filled with research and resources for educators in K-12 classroom settings to help increase overall student achievement and engagement.

What is Literacy?

Simply, it is the skill and ability to read, write, and listen. There are several different elements to literacy and a few to mention are phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and lastly- knowledge building.

Click to read more on the Components of Effective, Research-Supported Reading Instruction for more information about each element.

There is also a variety of literacy types that educators can introduce to students. Figure 1 provides the types of literacies with questions to consider when teaching.

Figure 1. Credit: Tiffany Jeffery at Medium.com

Digital Literacy

Becton Loveless focuses on the essential steps to teaching students about digital literacy using several examples and hyperlinks to assist with digital readability. 

Media Literacy

Tanner Higgin examines the best collection of tools for teaching media literacy to students. Numerous courses, websites and articles, lesson plans and activities, videos, handouts, and games are provided. 

Cultural Literacy

Matthew Lynch explains the many ways that educators can create a culturally aware classroom.

Financial Literacy

Phil Nast provides lesson plans, activities, games, and several supplemental resources for educators to teach financial literacy in their classrooms.

Scientific Literacy

Andrew Zucker gives readers an insight into how to teach scientific literacy in the classroom while thinking of long-term ways to increase students’ interest in Science.

Informational Literacy

The Ohio State University provides concepts for teaching informational literacy to students along with teaching strategies and activities to help struggling students.

Critical Literacy

Crieghton examines the critical literacy theory with elementary and secondary students and how it calls for educators to reflect and re-examine their current practices. The article goes briefly into detail about the three beliefs of critical literacy theory. This theory enables students to look at different perspectives that might not be within the text in front of them.

What ways can educators promote a positive learning and reading environment?

Educators are expected to provide a differentiated curriculum that guides students into becoming great readers. The goal is to create a classroom environment that is positive and passionate in the reading culture.

Literacy is built into all subjects of any curriculum in grades K-12. It can be taught digitally or face to face. Today, students are given the opportunity to engage in literacy with various formats. Many educators are given access to an endless world of technology where textbooks can now be e-books or audiobooks, and newspaper articles and storybooks can now be digitally read through YouTube videos and more.

There are resources available online for all students of all backgrounds and knowledge. The individual learning needs of students can be met with the variety of modifications and adaptations available. 

Erin Lynch dives into the key elements of a literacy-rich classroom. A few important elements to mention from her article is “providing an adaptable classroom layout (See Figure 2), flexible seating, access to materials, and technology.”

Figure 2. Credit: Sadlier School – Erin Lynch

Click to read more about Elements of a Literacy-Rich 21st Century Classroom by Erin Lynch and download the clear image of how to create a 21st-century classroom.

What are some key literacy resources every educator and parent should have access to?

Resources that build on current knowledge and are engaging for students will help motivate the reader to succeed. Educators and parents need easy, free access to resources that can promote student achievement. Students in all grade levels can access these resources from home with a computer, tablet, or phone. Below, there are several ideas for inspiration and free resources provided with images and hyperlinks specified by grade level(s).

ABC Mouse [for libraries or subscribe] (ages 2-8) – Literacy is important to teach and engage in early on. ABC Mouse is a great resource for parents to utilize for their children ages 2-8. Many libraries across the United States allow parents to create a personal account through their local library for free. Check with your local library through a Google Search to see if you can sign up using your library card. You may also purchase a subscription.

Sight Words (K-4) – “Excellent supplement to phonics instruction”

NewsELA (2-12) – “We are educators, parents, siblings, and friends who aren’t satisfied with the quality of the content our students are exposed to. We know they deserve better, and are committed to bringing authentic, engaging, diverse and accessible content to all learners.”

Tween Tribune (K-12) – Choose from a variety of articles with various topics that are based on grade level and Lexile level for students. Articles include a quiz that students can take using a tech device or it is printable.

Storyline Online (K-5) – “The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.”

National Geographic (k-12) - Resources for teaching geography - includes lesson plans, mapping, references, and educational games aligned to the National Geographic Standards.