Website for Teachers Offers Expanded Research-Based Resources for In-School and Out-of-School Learning

NEWARK, Del., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teachers and parents will find a one-stop-shop for standards-based classroom resources at the new-and-improved ReadWriteThink.org (http://www.readwritethink.org), the popular website developed by International Reading Association (IRA), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and Verizon Thinkfinity in 2002 to provide reading and language arts educators with access to an ever-growing collection of free educational materials.

Launched in mid-January 2010, the redesigned site features improved organization and navigation tools that make it easier to browse among hundreds of standards-based lesson plans, timely activities, recommended book lists, printable worksheets, and interactive tools so that users can quickly find the right resources to support teaching and learning.

Intuitive design is at the core of the new site which features collections by grade-level, as well as collections dedicated to learning outside of the classroom, and professional development.

Every lesson plan at ReadWriteThink.org has been aligned to individual state standards, which can be viewed easily in the new design.

Teachers can also support their students' learning beyond the classroom by referring parents and after-school care providers to the site's new after-school resources section, which features tips and how-to's, activities and projects, podcasts, and online tools.

ReadWriteThink.org owes its success to a dedicated community of literacy professionals who write and review lesson plans and other materials. Through the new Communities section, users can go behind the scenes to learn about the authors and reviewers that inspire, educate, and show how ReadWriteThink.org is making a difference.

Users can add their own comments and share their experiences and ideas, as well as e-mail and bookmark resources on the site. Other social networking opportunities are available through RWT's fan page on Facebook.

"ReadWriteThink.org has always been a deep resource," says International Reading Association President Kathy Au. "The improvements to the site make it even more meaningful by bringing users directly to the content they need and by creating a community of educators and learners. Improving literacy learning has always been our goal; the new site achieves that by helping -- and connecting -- everyone in the circle, from educators to parents to students."

NCTE president Carol Jago invites, "Hungry for fresh ideas to make learning come alive in your classroom? ReadWriteThink is a cornucopia of teaching produce that will nourish both you and your students. Created by classroom teachers who know how quickly lessons can grow stale, this virtual basket is easy to access and yours for the taking. To paraphrase the title of Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir, Eat Teach Love."

The International Reading Association is a professional membership organization dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all by improving the quality of reading instruction, disseminating research and information about reading, and encouraging the lifetime reading habit.

The National Council of Teachers of English has been dedicated to building teacher knowledge and improving student achievement in English language arts since its founding in 1911.

Verizon Thinkfinity is the cornerstone of Verizon Foundation's literacy, education, and technology initiatives. Their goal is to improve student achievement in traditional classroom settings and beyond by providing high-quality content and first-class professional development training.

SOURCE International Reading Association