BOOKS & RESOURCES
Get the tools you need to improve achievement in reading and writing
Whether you are looking for professional books, picture books, or other materials to teach reading and writing, our high-quality resources make it a little easier.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Going beyond the boxed curriculum
Leading standards-driven instruction is more attainable with the right materials. That’s why we offer hundreds of hand-picked recommended resources to accompany our professional development for teachers.
There are textbook companies that specialize in publishing curriculum, and we are not one of those companies. Instead, we focus on writing or locating just-right resources that teachers can use to enhance their existing reading and writing curriculums.
Your dealer of choice
Whether you are in the market for classroom libraries and children’s literature or a professional library stocked with lesson ideas, we want to be your preferred source for teacher resources. That’s why we are happy to partner with hundreds of book suppliers, including these industry leaders:
SMEKENS ORIGINALS
Our most popular resources
While we support schools with thousands of titles from major and minor publishers, teachers love our best-selling resources by Kristina Smekens because they offer practical, ready-to-use strategies.
Launching the Writer’s Workshop, 3rd Edition
With separate books for grades K-2 and 3-12, this resource targets the heart of what every teacher wants for the initial weeks of school:
1. Strategies to establish the writer’s workshop environment through routines, procedures, and expectations.
2. Methods to define the ingredients of “good” writing so everyone is using a common language.
3. Foundation-building mini-lesson ideas that teach students how to craft stronger writing.
Each lesson includes:
A purpose and rationale for the lesson.
A list of resources and teacher preparation required before delivering the lesson.
A detailed description of the lesson execution.
Suggestions for utilizing writing samples or mentor text to support the lesson.
Follow-up activities that relate to the initial lesson.
The book also includes a members-only website containing writing samples, handout templates, Smartboard documents, PowerPoint presentations, and more.
Scaffold Comprehension Instruction: A Flapbook of K-12 Skills
This spiral-bound resource provides a flap-by-flap build of comprehension skills to teach throughout the year. Lesson concepts for every skill are differentiated for literature/fiction and informational text/nonfiction applications.
Teachers are able to use the book to build a scaffold of mini-lessons that focus on the six ways to think about texts:
Retell & summarize ideas
Determine the main idea
Visualize ideas
Question author choices
Connect within & among texts
Synthesize ideas
Writing Genre Poster Set
Highlight essential writing skills with the Smekens Genre posters. Each poster includes the top trait-based skills required in the College and Career-Ready Standards for the different modes of writing: argumentative/persuasive, informative, and narrative. Each poster features icons that match Smekens Education 6-Traits products. All posters come folded for easy storage. 18″ x 24″
The Writing Genre Poster Set includes one of each poster:
Argumentative Essentials
Persuasive Essentials
Informative Essentials
Narrative Essentials
Trait Trackers
This versatile resource makes it easy to use picture books as mentor text by “tracking” when and how the Six Traits appear in 20 popular titles. One bookmark-sized card is included for each mentor text that cites, page by page, the Six Traits in action.
Each mentor text card tells you what skills you can teach for that text, gives examples of those skills in action, and lists what page in the book to find each example.
Trait Trackers help K-12 teachers:
Use children’s books to teach the Six Traits of Writing during read alouds.
Develop skill-based mini-lessons using selected children’s books.
Utilize book excerpts that support individual traits.
Practical and affordable teacher resources
Well known for offering innovative ideas, Kristina Smekens has created more than 50 books, guides, and classroom tools designed to help teachers implement best-practice literacy strategies.
Parent Strategy Cards
Take-home literacy strategies focusing on reading, writing, and vocabulary.
Talk Moves Mini-Poster Set
Every student can be engaged when they use hand signals to communicate their thinking.
Close-Reading Questions
Text-dependent questions to scaffold students’ thinking about the author’s ideas.
Think, Ink, Pair, Square Mats
Functional laminated graphic organizers to foster cooperative learning.
Serving Up Synthesis
Mini-lesson tools to help students understand the ingredients of a strong synthesis.
Comprehension Voice Signs
Physical triggers to help students recognize the Reading Voice, Thinking Voice, and Distracting Voice.
What other educators say
“Practical strategies with resources to match. You all have professional development down to a science.”
Ryan Asher
Principal,
Northside Elementary School, Versailles, KY
“Thank you for fun, engaging lessons and mentor texts that are easy to implement and use!”
Megan McAdams
Teacher,
Frances Slocum Elementary, Marion, IN
“The quality of resources provided is outstanding! They are user-friendly & truly invaluable to teachers of any grade & subject.”
Robyn Rush
Teacher,
SS Cyril and Methodius School, Lemont, IL
PLAN A PURCHASE
How to buy books and resources
When you are ready to purchase materials to support your reading and writing instruction, we make the process quick and easy.
Work With a Sales Rep
Compiling a book order can be overwhelming. You can rely on our sales team to make recommendations, offer custom pricing, and make the ordering process simple and efficient.
Order Online
If you know what you want, and you are ready to order, our online store is always open. Visit www.TheLiteracyStore.com to place your order with a credit card or purchase order.
Top questions about books & resources
Do you have a catalog?
Our online store, www.TheLiteracyStore.com, features an always-growing online catalog. Additionally, we are constantly updating our printable catalog of Smekens Originals, and the current version is available for download. Upon request, we may also be able to provide catalogs from publishers we represent.
Do you sell textbooks?
We sell all sorts of teacher and classroom resources, but we don’t sell textbooks.
What if I can't find what I’m looking for on your online store?
If you are looking for something specific, and can’t find it on our online store, let us know! We will do some digging to see if we can locate the resources you are searching for.
I am planning a book order but need a quote. Can you help?
If you need an official quote that lists the titles in your order, along with line-item pricing, we are happy to provide this type of proposal. Plus, in most circumstances, we will offer discounted pricing on quoted orders.
Are your resources available in digital format?
In many situations, our resources are available in both print and digital formats. Check out our Smekens Digital Resources for a full lineup.
Do you ship items internationally?
We are happy to support educators around the globe. If you live outside of the United States, simply request a quote for the purchase of materials, plus shipping.
Can we shop for books in person?
Teachers love to “touch the books,” which is why we always set up a bookstore at our open-to-the-public teacher workshops. Additionally, educators are welcome to visit our headquarters in Warren, IN between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET for in-person shopping.
Can you set up a bookstore to accompany our on-site professional development?
When teachers have immediate access to books and resources related to their professional development, implementation can happen right away. For this reason, we are happy to arrange for a bookstore to be set up during Smekens-led on-site professional development.
Let’s Connect
Complete the form below or call (888) 376-0448.
We are eager to help you achieve your PD goals!