New York Times
New York Times: 10 Ways to Celebrate Summer
What do you like to do in summer? Do you need some new ideas? Check this out! There are ideas for travel, reading, learning new things, celebrating, learning new songs, watching or playing sports, movies, fashion, food, and more.
![Glencoe Literature Library: "The Summer of the Swans" [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/103574-021fe01ce273704c7d6f97a013be9ca0.jpg?1661498425 "Glencoe Literature Library: \"The Summer of the Swans\" [Pdf] Unit Plan")
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Literature Library: "The Summer of the Swans" [Pdf]
A nice study guide for "The Summer of the Swan" by Betsy Byars, complete with pre-reading material, thought-provoking discussion and essay questions, and brainstorming activities. Provides excellent post-reading writing and...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Engaging Family & Community in Afterschool and Summer Programs
Informal literacy experiences often serve to shape young people's identity as readers and writers as much as or more than formal schooling.Community and family support can emphasize the importance of reading and writing, build...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Jane Yolen Activity
A classroom activity about the life and works of adolescent author Jane Yolen. Includes discussion of her books such as "Owl Moon," "The Bird of Time," and "Off We Go," and related activities.
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Reading Discussion Guide: Tweak by Nic Sheff
Nic Sheff was drunk for the first time at age 11. In the years that followed, he would regularly smoke pot, do cocaine and Ecstasy, and develop addictions to crystal meth and heroin. Even so, he felt like he would always be able to quit...
Read Works
Read Works: Splash Into Summer!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text giving tips on how to stay safe during summer activities. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Pairing the Odyssey With Contemporary Works
Contains plans for two lessons that relate Homer's "The Odyssey" to more contemporary works like "Running Out of Summer" by Peter E. Morgan and the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" In addition to objectives and standards, this...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Hot and Cold Summer
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart is based on the 5th grade Harcourt Reading Series. The lessons focus on spelling, grammar and vocabulary. Many items are linked to activities. The students will be engaged!
Scholastic
Scholastic: Novels for Growing Readers
Come and check out this informative resource featuring novels for growing readers. This site lists several appropriate books for students ranging from grades three through six.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Timeless Picture Books
Can you motivate your young students to read more? Scholastic.com offers a list of timeless picture books to help you accomplish your goal. Along with the title there is a brief description of each book.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Improve Your Study Skills
Having trouble studying for tests or comprehending new material? This in-depth guide provides a multitude of ways to help you acquire reading and critical thinking skills necessary for understanding new material.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Proper Punctuation
Need a quick refresher on proper punctuation? This easy to read guide covers common types of punctuation and provides examples. Included are links to practice sites.
Family Education
Family Education: Book Lists
Family Education publishes age-appropriate lists of books, with brief plot summaries, on themes of interest to children and teens.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Tomie De Paola's Biography
This resource features a booklist for Tomie dePaola. There is a summary and a picture of each book.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Early Chicago Environment & People [Pdf]
"Early Chicago Environment & People" is a one page, nonfiction passage about the Native Americans who lived in what is now Chicago. It explains how they lived and how Chicago got its name. It is followed by constructed-response...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Early Chicago Environment and People [Pdf]
"Early Chicago Environment and People" is a one page, nonfiction passage about the early Native Americans who settled in what is now Chicago. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Betsy Byars
This resource site for the work of the children's author Betsy Byars features e-notes, activities, and lesson plans for classes reading Keeper of the Doves, The Summer of the Swans, and Trouble River.
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Keeper of the Doves
This resource offers a review of "Keeper of the Doves" by Carol Hurst as well as discussion questions and activities for classes reading this deceptively simple story about a family during one summer in 1900.