Teaching Ideas

Explore jumping-off points that deepen discussions, inspire reading interest, and support connections to books and authors. Easily share and include in your instructional plans, newsletters, and social media.


Ready, Set, Go!

It is that time of year again, where excitement is high and everyone is getting ready! Jump-start or add to your plans using TeachingBooks!

Decorate your learning spaces with shelf talkers!

Use our Audio Name Pronunciations for ice-breakers and getting to know each other activities!

  • Explore our entire collection of author and illustrator name pronunciations in the Author & Illustrator Pronunciation Guide. Search for authors of books your students have read or are about to read.

  • Create shelf talkers for several authors or illustrators and post them around your room. Students can listen at each station, then write about their own name.

  • Play the Author Name Game as a group or in pairs to discover how to pronounce author names, learn a little about their background, and have some fun along the way!

  • Try out some of our Ready-to-Use Ideas such as our One-a-Day Name Reflections for Elementary and Secondary. You'll find a recording and a corresponding prompt for each day, ready for you to use!

Find Book Guides, Activities & Lessons to incorporate into your plans.

Create, analyze, and share text lists.

Easily create and upload lists to use and share:

  • Prompt student participation and leadership by compiling their recommendations for books they read over the summer into a list, then create bookmarks to share. Now students can explore recommendations from their peers!

  • Create a class list of texts and supporting resources for the year or semester, which you can embed on your class webpage, LibGuide, or learning management system page.

  • Print bookmarks or flyers to share with families at Family Night that link to your lists and related resources.

Analyze your lists, curricular texts, or titles in your classroom or library by using our List Analysis Tool:

  • Gain insight into the cultural diversity, genre, recency, and text complexity of your texts.

  • See an example of an analysis report. You can rerun reports as you edit your list.