Free Resources

Learn more about our free teacher resources

Finding reliable teaching materials can be a challenge, especially when you want resources that are both effective and free. This hub was created to make that search easier, giving teachers access to free strategies and tools that support reading and writing instruction as well as professional learning at every grade level.

What makes these free teacher resources valuable is their foundation in best practices. Each resource reflects approaches like explicit modeling, scaffolded instruction, and the gradual release of responsibility—methods proven to help students grow as readers and writers. They are designed to be flexible and adaptable, fitting the needs of different classrooms and curricula without relying on one-size-fits-all programs.

Together, these free teaching resources form a central place for literacy support that teachers and administrators can use right away. Whether the goal is to strengthen comprehension, guide writing instruction, or equip teachers through professional development, the collection provides practical options you can trust.

The Learning Center

The Learning Center is Smekens Education’s free teacher resource library for literacy instruction. It includes a growing collection of articles, videos, and ready-to-use downloads—each focused on practical strategies that help teachers build confident readers and writers.

The strategies shared here are anchored in best practices—explicit modeling, scaffolded instruction, and the gradual release of responsibility. They save time with ready-to-use downloads, flexible templates, and authentic examples that fit into any curriculum. Designed to engage students and spark critical thinking, these resources provide a reliable way to strengthen instruction without adding extra prep to your plate.

Six Traits of Writing

Teaching writing can feel overwhelming when every classroom includes a wide range of abilities. The Six Traits of Writing offers a clear path forward. Rooted in decades of research, it names the six ingredients found in all strong writing—ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. It is not a program. It is a flexible framework that gives teachers and students a shared language for composing, revising, and assessing writing across grades K-12.

Use the traits to guide what is taught, how work is discussed, and how growth is measured—regardless of curriculum or genre. The Ultimate Guide to the Six Traits of Writing included here provides an overview of each trait along with practical ways to introduce and apply them in the classroom. If the goal is to build confident writers with a common understanding of quality, the Six Traits of Writing provides the structure to do it.

Reading Comprehension

Students do not become stronger readers by simply reading more texts. They grow when they are explicitly taught the skills that allow them to comprehend any passage—whether it is a novel, a read-aloud, or a science article. That is why comprehension instruction must go beyond “doing reading” to teaching students how to think while they read.

This section highlights practical ways to deliver whole-class comprehension instruction using a four-step mini-lesson. With a clear I-do, We-do, You-do rhythm, these lessons break down complex skills into small, teachable moves. Here you will find strategies that help you introduce, model, and scaffold comprehension skills so students can apply them independently across all subjects.

Literacy eLessons

When schools first closed in 2020, teachers needed immediate support. That challenge sparked the creation of Literacy eLessons—a free library of short, ready-to-share videos containing student-facing comprehension mini-lessons. These lessons remain a valuable tool today, offering quick, best-practice instruction that you can use to sharpen your own teaching or share directly with your students.

Each eLesson models a single, focused comprehension skill within a four-part mini-lesson. With scaffolded instruction and growing anchor charts, the videos provide students with clear, visual reminders of key points. Whether you are looking for a teaching refresher or a resource to extend student learning, Literacy eLessons are designed to save time and strengthen comprehension instruction.

Teacher Tools

Teaching is easier with the right tools at your fingertips. That is why Smekens shares a free Teacher Tool every Thursday during the school year—delivered straight to your inbox. Each tool is practical, classroom-ready, and designed to save prep time while supporting student learning.

By signing up, you gain weekly access to best-practice resources you can put to work immediately. From graphic organizers and student handouts to strategy guides and mini-lesson supports, every Teacher Tool is crafted to help you implement best practices with confidence.

Administrator Hub

Supporting teachers with meaningful professional development can be a challenge when resources are scattered and hard to navigate. The Administrator Hub brings together articles and tools created specifically for school leaders, making it easier to plan PD that is intentional, relevant, and responsive to the needs of your staff.

Inside, you will find practical ideas to design professional learning that meets teachers where they are, addresses diverse needs, and keeps engagement high. Whether you are a principal, coach, or curriculum leader, the Administrator Hub provides a central place to explore strategies that strengthen professional development in reading and writing.

Science of Reading

The Science of Reading is not a single program or method—it is a body of research that identifies the core components of effective reading instruction. Decades of studies have confirmed that skilled reading requires both word recognition and language comprehension, working together in a systematic way. This research is often represented through frameworks like the Five Pillars of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and the Simple View of Reading.

To make these ideas more concrete for teachers and students, Kristina Smekens developed additional visuals such as the Reader Voices and the Islands of Literacy. These tools simplify the science and show how decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension are interconnected. Whether you are new to the SoR conversation or looking to deepen your practice, this section provides accessible explanations and practical entry points for strengthening reading instruction.

Teaching with Technology

Digital tools and AI are transforming classrooms, but the challenge is knowing how to use them in ways that truly enhance learning. This section highlights strategies for teaching with technology that go beyond novelty, showing how carefully chosen tools can support reading and writing instruction while keeping students engaged.

Here you will find resources that pair Ed-tech solutions with Smekens best practices. From integrating digital learning platforms to exploring AI-powered supports, these ideas focus on when and how technology can strengthen instruction—helping students build the skills they need for success.

Webinars

Professional development does not have to be dry or time-consuming. Smekens webinars for teachers provide free, research-based training packed with practical strategies for teaching reading and writing. Each session is designed to be engaging and immediately useful, with note-taking handouts included to support your learning.

Choose from live or on-demand webinars to fit your schedule. Whether the focus is building comprehension, developing effective writing units, or launching daily writing routine