MeL: Free Resources for March is Reading Month Part #2
From Christine Schneider, K-12 Education Specialist at Michigan Electronic Library:
Kids InfoBits: GRADES K - 5
Are your teachers in need of free resources and ideas for March is Reading Month? Look no further! The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) is here to help. Found online at http://mel.org/, Michigan teachers and students can freely use several million dollars worth of subscription database resources to help support reading. MeL is a program of the Library of Michigan, and part of the Michigan Department of Education. With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and also the State of Michigan, MeL provides Michigan residents free access to quality, vetted resources (many of which are K-12 standards and reading level aligned) without logging in.
MeL Databases
To quickly access all of MeL’s subscription databases, go to http://mel.org/databases. Here is a quick overview of the databases that can be used to help support reading in March, and any time of the year:
Scholastic BookFLIX:
GRADES: PreK to 3rd
This easy-to-use database is a digital literacy resource that pairs more than 120 animated stories from Weston Woods with a best-selling nonfiction eBook from Scholastic on a similar subject. The fiction and nonfiction pairings are designed to strengthen early literacy skills while exposing young learners to real world concepts. With colorful animation, rich audio, and interactive games, BookFlix® is a perfect tool to engage and support beginning readers. Built-in literacy support tools–including read aloud and word highlighting–cultivate key literacy skills, support beginning and ELL readers, and build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. For more information on how to use this database, check out the BookFLIX Tutorial (11:06) and the BookFLIX How-To Google Slide Deck.
Britannica School:
Michigan Standards for English/Language Arts specify that students should be able to read informational text, collect, analyze, and evaluate diverse text and multimedia resources, and use digital media to express information. Britannica School offers a wealth of resources to support this effort. Over 140,000 articles of informational text provide a variety of text complexity covering all subject areas. Rich multimedia content including thousands of video and audio files, maps, illustrations and photos are available to view, download and use. The content is also carefully crafted to meet students' needs at various reading levels and correlated to Lexile® reading scores. Articles for elementary school students have scores ranging from 600 to 1000, and those for middle school students range from 860 to 1360. For information on how to use Britannica School, go to MeL Britannica School Training.
Early World of Learning:
GRADES PreK - 2nd
Literacy-building features included in Early World of Learning:
- Story narration by human voices of different genders and ethnicities;
- Word-by-word highlighting to foster development of literacy skills;
- Educational, interactive games to reinforce comprehension;
- Printable activities in English for use in the classroom or to take home;
- Classic children's stories, nursery rhymes, and songs, which can be downloaded to an MP3 player for children who may not be read to at home, or who would like extra reading time.
The Early World of Learning will stimulate a lifelong love of reading and knowledge. Check out the Video Overview of Early World of Learning (14:37) and also the Early World Training page.
eBooks and eBooks K-8 Collections:
GRADES K to 12+
MeL’s eBooks collections offer eBooks that are multi-use and can be viewed either via PDF, or downloaded onto a reader. Not only can you find Children’s and Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction eBooks for students to read in these two databases, there are many teacher Professional Development books. Let’s get the adults reading, too!
- Tech Out Your Classroom : 6 Projects to Meet Common Core & ISTE Standards (2016)
- The Mathematics Education of Elementary Teachers : Issues and Strategies for Content Courses (2016)
- Interventions for Reading Success, Second Edition (2014)
Gale Databases:
Gale provides almost two-thirds of MeL’s database content. Their databases are G-Suite for Education and Microsoft Integrated, which makes it easy and convenient for students and teachers to save content, or add it to Google Classroom. (See the Gale-Google Tools videos.) The three databases listed above include age appropriate curriculum standards aligned informational text that is organized by Topics.
LearningExpress Library:
GRADES 4+
This database provides free practice tests for college admissions such as SAT and ACT, plus career certification and Advanced Placement exams.
In the School Center, students can take tutorials that will help improve Reading and Math starting with the 4th grade.
NoveList K8+:
GRADES: K - 8
This database can help identify which book to read next. Users can access read-alike lists.
World Book for Kids:
GRADES K - 5
Captivate even the most reluctant reader with unique visual engagements, rich multimedia content, and an abundance of educational games, activities, and projects. With thousands of articles, multimedia content, and a collection of biographies, World Book Kids is designed to encourage the young learner to be curious. The carefully curated content also supports STEM/STEAM instructional initiatives.
MeL Training for K-12 Schools
MeL offers free database professional development for districts and ISDs. Training can include both in-person and virtual sessions and can be tailored to your needs. For more information, please send an email to Christine Schneider, MeL K-12 Education Specialist at CSchneider.MeL@gmail.com.
