Due to the COVID-19 crisis, our local libraries have been closed for a long time. Since we do homeschool at home, books are an essential learning resource.
Suppose you are currently looking for excellent reading materials for kids like me. In that case, I want to share some websites that offer a great reading selection at affordable prices. It depends on where you live, but you should check on your local library to provide a digital library service or not. I found out ours offer it, and it saves us a lot even there is some waiting time.
Storyline Online
SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website. The books are read by actors and famous people (Such as Oprah Winfrey, Betty White, Kristen Bell, and more). Video-based with an original illustration, and sometimes it’s animated. They also have downloadable activity guides for each book!
Teaching materials
Downloadable activity guides (located beneath each video)
Suggested Grade Level
K – 4th Grade
Cost
Donation
ReadWorks.org
I have not tried this service yet, but I might try it out for our next term. This service offers excellent instructions for learning reading comprehension. Reading passages and lesson plans for students of all levels K-12. Sign up required.
They support excellent features for both students and teachers. They have audio readings, comprehension questions, and some passages have vocabulary support.
URL
Quick tips to get started: 5 Tips for Remote Learning
Families and Remote Learning Slideshow
Teaching Materials
- Audio versions: Students can listen along to texts & questions
- Some passages have vocabulary support
- Easily print any of our content and curriculum
- You can set assignments to your students
- Support for ELL, SPED, and struggling readers
- Student library
Suggested Grade Level
K – 12th Grade (Kids 12 & Under)
Cost
Donation
epic!
I have been using their service for our homeschool for about 2 years. I really like their Non-Fiction collection, and we use them, especially for science and social study classes. They have so many choices, and it helped to reduce my local library trips with tons of heavy books.
However, in my opinion, if you are looking for chapter books or fiction books, it might not match your expectations quite yet. To be fair, I feel it’s getting better each year. I recommend checking first if their fiction books selection matches what you are looking for.
URL
Learning tips and resources page: Spark
Teaching Materials
- Instantly access 40,000 of the best books, learning videos, quizzes & more
- Many “Read to Me” books and “Audio Books.”
- Some Spanish, Chinese, French book selection
Suggested Grade Level
K – 6th Grade (Kids 12 & Under)
Cost
It offers a 1-month free trial (Currently in August 2020), then USD 7.99 per month.
Happy learning!
Featured Photo by Alfons Morales on Unsplash
Spongy Kids 
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