Best Websites for English Teachers

The Internet truly is the information highway. As a teacher, you can search for lessons, ideas, videos, organizational tips, reference guides, and the list goes on and on. With time constantly eluding me, I started bookmarking the websites I visit most frequently. Divided into three sections (grammar, writing, and literature), below are some websites you might want to bookmark as a language arts/English teacher.

Websites to Focus on Grammar

Should one write a while or awhile? When does one use the passive voice? Is toward or towards preferred? Even the most knowledgeable teachers get confused when it comes to the nuances of grammar. Whenever I need clarification, I turn to one of these websites.

• Grammar Girl is my first go-to website if I have a question relating to grammar. Her search tool is efficient, her explanations are clear and easy-to-read, and she provides strong examples. Also, a new addition to the website is an audio explanation for several of the topics posted. Visual and audio learners delight! Just take a look at Grammar Girl's comparison of affect and effect to get an idea of what this site has to offer.

• The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is my second choice. Not only can you access information on MLA and APA formatting, but they have an entire section of their website dedicated to grammar. While this site requires more time to read and process the posted information, it is accurate and lends itself well to reteaching.

• The Center for Writing Studies at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will give you a quick, concise answer. Their grammar handbook is organized by parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentences/sentence elements, and common usage problems.

• HyperGrammar, an electronic grammar course, can help students struggling with grammar. Information is organized logically, presented clearly, and there are practice opportunities for the user. Direct high schoolers to the website to review basic punctuation, pronoun usage, verb moods, misplaced modifiers, etc.

Websites to Focus on Writing

Whether the focus is on creative writing or academic writing, it can be a hard skill to teach. Along with practice, these websites will help develop your class’s writing skills.

• 6+1 Trait Writing focuses on the six traits of writing (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions). The traits are defined and linked to the Common Core. Best of all, you can use the lesson search to identify grade level and find lesson plans based on the traits they address. Definitely a comprehensive website!

• Unique Writing Prompts will engage your writers. Using images, posing questions, and giving your class creative freedom will lead to much more interesting writing than the “What did you do this weekend?” or “Who is your favorite band?” prompts.

• Two-Page Document will help students master a basic paragraph before they can successfuly write an effective essay. The formula they use is assert-illustrate-analyze, and would serve a high school population well.

Websites to Focus on Literature

Help your students choose independent reading books, find resources to supplement your literature lessons, and browse a compilation of graphic organizers.

• goodreads is the perfect website to help students in choosing their next independent reading book! Sure, they’ll have to create the free account to access the page, but there’s a higher chance they’ll find interesting books by identifying those they did or did not enjoy. This could be a great tool in the classroom!

• Web English Teacher allows you to select the author of whatever novel, short story, or poem you’re reading in class and access a list of associated resources. I like this site because basic information like chapter summaries are usually posted, but other resources, like teacher resources or YouTube videos, are also pooled.

• Scholastic has grouped together a collection of organizers for all sorts of reading activities. Graphic organizers keep learners focused and help them categorize, manage, and analyze information presented in a text. 

Are there websites you can’t live without? Share them with your Lesson Planet learning community, and everyone can benefit from these resources!