Level 3

Reading skills and strategies OER for adult learners: Read Faster, Understand More

Read Faster, Understand More is a comprehensive set of materials focused on developing reading skills and strategies to prepare for college entry. The workbook/textbook and accompanying Quizlets and Slides could be used as the basis of a course. The same author, Timothy Krause a language educator in Oregon, also has resources that appear on the Level 2 page, in addition to other advanced materials. Here is his site.  Although developed for English language learners, the focus on specific strategies and social justice theme works just as well with all adult learners. The following is his description of the materials.

"This reading skills workbook uses an over-arching theme of social justice reading materials -- many authentic texts -- to focus on these reading skills:

Each unit includes vocabulary work with Quizlets; a graphic organizer and Google slides for skills presentations and practice; largely authentic texts with comprehension checks; and extension activities. The teachers  guide provides a convenient answer key."

Copy of Read Faster, Understand More - Student Textbook - 2023 OER Third Edition.pdf

Student text

The Google Doc version will allow you to quickly make some changes to the document, including references to the local area (Portland, Oregon). To transfer the file to your drive, open the file, click on File, then click on Make a Copy.

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Copy of Read Faster, Understand More - Teacher Textbook - 2023 OER Third Edition.pdf

Teacher text

The Google Doc version will allow you to quickly make some changes to the document, including references to the local area (Portland, Oregon). To transfer the file to your drive, open the file, click on File, then click on Make a Copy.

Quizlet vocabulary practice available through Quizlet

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Learning units from the San Diego County Office of Education

The following four English language development units were designed to help learners transition into a regular high school program. While not all the oral language development elements might be needed, the reading, writing and general communication activities are very useful. The modules follow a similar instructional routine and sequence, which appears on the first page of the preview document (a PDF). All relevant materials, including reading texts, can be accessed using the available links or have been included in the modules. The teacher resources below contain both the "student facing materials" and extensive teacher notes. Student materials can be accessed as shared Google files using the link provided in the teacher's resource. The four units can also be accessed using links on a website.

Teacher Resource Designated ELD Emerging and Expanding - What Makes Us Human - High School.pdf

What Makes Us Human: Emerging/Expanding 

MS Word version

Google Docs version

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grades 9-12

Teacher Resource Designated ELD Expanding and Bridging - Public Health - High School.pdf

What Makes Us Human: Expanding/Bridging

MS Word version 

Google Docs version

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grades 9-12

Teacher Resource Designated ELD Emerging and Expanding - Public Health - High School (1).pdf

Public Health: Emerging/Expanding

MS Word version

Google Docs version

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grades 9-12

Teacher Resource Designated ELD Expanding and Bridging - Public Health - High School.pdf

Public Health: Expanding/Bridging

MS Word version

Google Docs version

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grades 9-12

Textbooks and workbooks from the BC Open Collection

The BC (British Columbia) Open Collection has several resources that we have included in our collection. All of their resources are free, open and modifiable. In addition, they appear in a variety of formats. Although the collection is primarily for postsecondary education, several literacy and foundational learning resources are included. We have also included a link to access other formats, when available, such as Pressbooks, XHTML and sometimes Word.

Steering-the-Course.pdf

This very useful textbook provides a succinct overview of key reading and writing conventions often seen in assessments at the secondary level. It can serve as a review and to help prepare learners to take various secondary level tests including PLAR for credit.

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grades 9-12

BC-Open-Collection-Intermediate-English.pdf

The comprehensive workbook contains 10 themed units with activities. Each unit contains two reading passages at the Grade 10 level. They are followed by questions focused on comprehension, reading strategies, vocabulary and critical thinking. The resource can help adult learners prepare to take senior level secondary credit English courses, prepare for the GED and PLAR for credit.

Access all formats here.

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grade 10 or BC ABE intermediate

BC-Open-Collection-Advanced-English.pdf

This comprehensive workbook will help adult learners develop reading and writing strategies to meet college level demands.

Access all formats here.

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Grades 11/12 or BC ABE advanced

The-Word-on-College-Reading-and-Writing-1592954928.pdf

"Written by five college reading and writing instructors, this interactive, multimedia text draws from decades of experience teaching students who are entering the college reading and writing environment for the very first time. It includes examples, exercises, and definitions for just about every reading- and writing-related topic students will encounter in their college courses."

Access all formats here.

License - CC BY 4.0

Level - Post-secondary preparation

GED language arts resources from District 79 New York City Department of Education

Reasoning through language arts is a series of comprehensive units designed to support reading and writing development in preparation for the General Education Development (GED) exam. Although the resources were created in the context of the US GED and not the Canadian version, the language arts resources contain useful and relevant activities that are organized under general themes. Each unit is designed for two weeks of use in a daily one hour class. No licensing or copyright information provided.

All Kinds of Kindness-RLA Unit Planner.pdf

All Kinds of Kindness


Climate Change RLA Unit Planner.pdf

Climate Change


Conflict, Crime, and Conscience- RLA Unit Planner.pdf

Conflict, Crime, and Conscience


Facing Our Health and Wellness RLA Unit Planner.pdf

Facing Our Health & Wellness


Leaders like Me! RLA Unit Planner.pdf

Leaders like Me!


Our Finance and Our Future- RLA Unit Planner.pdf

Our Finance and Our Future


TVO Learn Open House: Not-for-credit secondary courses

You can access 141 secondary courses through TV Ontario, all of which are designed to provide 110 hours of study. Although credits aren't awarded if one of these courses is completed, they could be used in various ways to

You might also want to become familiar with the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course. Either the course or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test must be completed to receive a diploma.

Copyrighted. Link sharing supported.

Level - Grades 9-12

Note on levels: Elementary courses are also available but topics, graphics, videos and activities are geared to children, and likely aren't suitable for adults.

College level online reading lab

The Excelsior Online Reading Lab is described as "the first free, online, comprehensive reading lab for college-level reading." We've featured a college-level resource to assist those who are preparing for post-secondary education and for those who have to meet more complex reading demands at work. Educators can easily pick and choose relevant sections or use several sections in a course. An online writing lab is also available and featured in our collection.

Check out the educator resources that will help you embed the materials in your course and quickly access topics using an index. A customization tool will help you create your own mini-collections or "owlets." Assessment rubrics at the college and university level are also available.

CC BY 4.0

Do you know of other OER that we can add to this page? Get in touch: info@alphaplus.ca