In this episode of Literacy Talks, the hosts share the online tools and free literacy resources they rely on most for tutoring, classroom instruction, and professional learning. Here’s your recap of everything mentioned—plus direct links so you can explore them all.
📝 Syntax & Comprehension Tools
Cascade Reading
Breaks sentences into vertical chunks with meaningful indentation to support comprehension and syntax awareness. Great for struggling readers and 1:1 tutoring.
Recommended By: Donell
Bonus: Includes browser extension, grade-leveled passages, and interactive lessons.
📦 Comprehensive Structured Literacy Resources
Cox Campus
Free, video-based professional development and classroom tools for structured literacy, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, and more.
Recommended By: Stacy
Best For: PreK–Grade 3 educators, interventionists, and teacher prep programs.
🔠 Phonics and Decodable Support
UFLI Toolbox
The University of Florida Literacy Institute offers free decodables, phonics games, home practice sheets, and printable resources—even if you don’t use their full program.
Recommended By: Lindsay
Tip: Check alignment with your own scope and sequence.
📚 Dyslexia, Literacy Facts, & Advocacy
International Dyslexia Association
A longtime leader in structured literacy resources, fact sheets, and research-based tools for educators, parents, and advocates. Includes access to Perspectives journal and more.
Recommended By: Donell
🗣️ Articulation & Language Support
Peachie Speechie
Free articulation videos by a speech-language pathologist—great for students working on specific sounds or preparing for referral.
Recommended By: Lindsay
Use Case: One-on-one support during small group time.
✏️ Teacher PD & Assessment
AIM Institute for Learning & Research
Home of the AIM Pathways educator training. Offers assessments, webinars, writing instruction, and personalized PD in science of reading.
Recommended By: Stacy
Notable Feature: Personalized PD plans based on your knowledge gaps.
📖 Free Online Text & Audio Resources
Project Gutenberg
75,000+ free ebooks, including classics and original texts. Some titles include audio.
OverDrive/Libby
Library-connected app for free audiobooks and ebooks. Use with your library card.
Storynory
Free audio stories for kids with engaging narration and sound effects.
Recommended By: Donell
📰 Articles, Lessons & Writing Prompts
New York Times Learning Network
Free classroom resources including writing modules, discussion prompts, and teen-centered articles.
Recommended By: Donell
📄 Printable Passages & Teaching Texts
ReadWorks
Free leveled passages with comprehension questions and thematic units. Includes some decodables (with caveats).
TextProject
Founded by Elfrieda Hiebert, this site offers vocabulary-rich texts like FYI for Kids and Talking Points for Kids. Great for grades 2–5.
Recommended By: Lindsay
🎓 Literacy Teacher Training & Classroom Models
Reading Universe
Free bite-sized PD, explainers, and teacher-modeled classroom videos. Includes a free paraeducator training course.
The Teacher’s Table
Subscription-based site with classroom video models across structured literacy topics. Offers visual examples for everything from Elkonin boxes to phonics routines.
Recommended By: Stacy & Lindsay
🔍 Word Search Tools
Phinder by Devin Kearns
Search for words by phonics pattern, spelling, or syllable count. Ideal for crafting decodable lists.
Etymonline
A free etymology dictionary—great for morphological instruction and teacher reference.
Recommended By: Lindsay
🧩 Bonus: Try Reading Horizons for Free
Reading Horizons Free Access
Reading Horizons is offering K–3 teachers free access to the Discovery LIVE Teacher License for the entire 2025-26 school year. No setup, no student accounts—just structured literacy you can start using today. It’s perfect for classrooms where time is tight and support is limited.
