Free Graded Readers for Kids

If you happen to be a school librarian, this post is for you. I have provided a Google drive to access copies of graded readers ebooks for your libraries. Please be advised that these materials are to be used by virtue of fair use and this should not be used for commercial or proprietary purposes. 

What are graded readers? Graded readers are "books of various genres that are specially created for learners of foreign languages. They may be simplified versions of existing works, original stories or books that are factual in nature. They are ‘graded’ in the sense that the syntax and lexis are controlled in order to make the content accessible to learners of the language." (https://erfoundation.org/wordpress/graded-readers/) 

In my previous and present work, we use graded readers to encourage Foundations/ HS students to read so they develop the habit of reading while improving their English vocabulary. Eventually this could help them improve their scores in IELTS or TOEFL exams. We test and evaluate students by the use of an online quiz from a popular website. Students will be able to know their scores, whether they pass or failed. Each week we make a leaderboard to encourage them to read more. To make their reading experience even better, we created a competition - students and classes who have the highest number of words read takes home a medal, trophy and electronic gadget (iPad). You could also do the same to your libraries if your budget allows it. 

The website where quizzes are available is called Mreader.org. I would be happy to give you a test teacher account so you can have a look from the inside and try answering the quizzes. Institutional account are also available, I can link you to the site administrator to create one for your library. The site is totally free of charge but you may experience downtime depending on the number of users. In my previous work, we donated an small amount to the site administrator so that he can provide us with a special server for our campus. 

I hope fellow Filipino librarians and libraries will be able to utilize these resources at the time of pandemic. Please feel free to share these resources to your colleagues and patrons. If you have any questions, drop a line at the comments section. My next blog will be on websites/ resources for librarians - to make them tech savvy. Stay safe!