Reading & Writing Resources

Balanced Literacy Diet
This website started by Dr. Dale Willows of OISE provided great lesson ideas and videos to support literacy instruction.

CELA
Centre for Equitable Library Access. Public library services for people with print disabilities. Also check out Bookshare Canada.

Spelling City
Each week you can punch in your spelling list and the games and activities use the words that you provide.  Traditional spelling activities like: word scrambles; word searches; Hangman; and memory are all reinforced by an auditory component as well.  I particularly like the Test-and-Teach activities since it gives the words in context and teaches vocabulary at the same time.  If a word is incorrect, they give some instruction and provide another opportunity to try the word.  Many games and activities are free but premium activities are available for a fee.

Spell Check Plus
 A good site for students to check their spelling and grammar.  It detects more than Microsoft Word is able to.  Common homophone (their/there) mistakes will be found.  Great resource for students to use before they hand in their papers to their teachers.
 
 Starfall
This is a site I would recommend to parents who want their child to have some extra reading practice at home.  It is a phonetic approach to reading; it starts with learning the letter sounds and moves up from there.  

Dolch Kit
Print off word lists and booklets.

 Super Teacher Worksheets
This site features thousands of printable PDF files.  Their collections include math worksheets, spelling lists, reading comprehension passages, educational games, graphic organizers, handwriting practice pages, flashcards, and manipulative teaching materials.  Free samples are available but it is a fee for service site.

 Have Fun Teaching
There is so much on this site for teachers like:  printable worksheets and activities in a variety of subject areas, graphic organizers, puzzles, games, colouring pages, clip art, flashcards, lessons including some for the Smartboard and more!  Most of the worksheets and other printables are free!
 
ReadWriteThink
This is an excellent website with lessons, interactive activities and printouts available.  You can search by grade level or learning objective.

Jan Brett's website 
There are so many resources that are themed around her books.  This is a great site if you are doing an author study or if you just love her artwork and want to add some pizzazz to some of your language arts sheets.

Giggle Poetry
Read poems, poetry lessons and games.  Features the poetry of  Bruce Lansky.

Comic Strip Maker
Make your own printable comics.

Online Writing Lab
Online writing exercises and resources.