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:
Vocabulary in Context
Finding the Main Idea
Identifying Supporting Details
Implied Main Ideas
Making Inferences
Reading Infographics
Patterns of Organization
Purpose and Tone
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.pdfStudent 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.
Copy of Read Faster, Understand More - Teacher Textbook - 2023 OER Third Edition.pdfTeacher 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
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.
Teacher Resource Designated ELD Emerging and Expanding - What Makes Us Human - High School.pdfTeacher Resource Designated ELD Expanding and Bridging - Public Health - High School.pdfTeacher Resource Designated ELD Emerging and Expanding - Public Health - High School (1).pdfTeacher Resource Designated ELD Expanding and Bridging - Public Health - High School.pdfTextbooks 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.pdfThis 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.pdfThe 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
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
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.pdfAll Kinds of Kindness
Climate Change RLA Unit Planner.pdfClimate Change
Conflict, Crime, and Conscience- RLA Unit Planner.pdfConflict, Crime, and Conscience
Facing Our Health and Wellness RLA Unit Planner.pdfFacing Our Health & Wellness
Leaders like Me! RLA Unit Planner.pdfLeaders like Me!
Our Finance and Our Future- RLA Unit Planner.pdfOur Finance and Our Future
TVO Learn Study Hall: 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
Provide learners with engaging content
Review a subject area
Determine what course to choose for credit
Prepare for the GED
Achieve a personal goal.
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.