Educators
In a year like no other, EPL is continually working to provide educators with useful and timely resources and services that support literacy and student learning. Don't see what you need? Email your dedicated branch contact and we'll see what we can do.
Educators - Card Slider
School Visits
Due to the pandemic, EPL is offering virtual school visits only at this time. Educators can choose from several options, including a library tour, an information literacy presentation, Young Reader's Choice Awards book talks or a presentation at a teachers' staff meeting.
Your Dedicated Branch Contact
Your library branch contact is your one-stop-shop for all things EPL, from booking visits to connecting you with the right resources for your students, providing age-appropriate reading recommendations, organizing staff training and more.
School Library Card Program
Your students can get their EPL cards sent directly to your class. This program is in partnership with the Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord, Edmonton Catholic Schools and Edmonton Public Schools. For further information about this program, please email SchoolCards@epl.ca.
Young Reader’s Choice Awards
The Young Reader's Choice Awards (YRCA) is a year-long reading program for children in Grades 4-12. Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA), it is the only award where children choose the nominated books and the winners.
French Material and Resources
EPL has a number of dedicated resources for French teachers and their students including French eBooks in Cantook Station and Overdrive, book lists, classes and events and the annual Bataille des bouquins reading program for children in Grades 4-6.
EPL's Dedicated Newsletter for Teachers
Subscribe to the quarterly Teachers' Toolbox and get access to the latest booklists and online resources, hear about new EPL programs and services for schools and get ideas about how teachers and the Library can collaborate. Preview the latest issue here.
Supporting Readers
As a teacher, you know reading is an essential skill that impacts a child's future success in school and life. EPL can help! We have a number of FREE programs and resources to:
- Improve students' reading skills
- Increase reading motivation and reading for pleasure
- Support families reading together at home
Booklists
Educators: NoveList K-8
NoveList K-8
Reading Programs for Students and their Families
Educators: Family Book Club
Start Your Own Family Book Club at Home
Book Bites helps satisfy a child's hunger for new books! Every month, EPL staff preview newer books for Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6. Titles are available in physical and digital formats for FREE at EPL. To enhance the reading experience, books are paired with fun literacy activities to complete at home or in the classroom. Each Book Bite includes:
- book talk in video format
- instructions and documents for the related activities
- list of similar titles for each book
For teachers, Book Bites spark read aloud ideas and activities for the classroom, or simply help with recommending awesome age-appropriate titles to families.
What are hi-lo books?
High interest, low vocabulary (hi-lo) lo books offer age-appropriate, relevant subject matter for junior high and high school students at a lower reading level. Interesting and easy to read, but not "for kids", they can hook ELL students and reluctant or struggling readers on reading. Learn more about Hi-Low books., opens a new window
How do I find Hi-Lo books on epl.ca?
- Type “High Interest-low Vocabulary Books” into the search box and change the search term to subject.
- Use this awesome curated list of specifically designated Hi-Lo titles for teens, including books, graphic novels, ebooks and audiobooks.
- Search for books in the Orca Hi-Lo series (for kids age 8+); type the series title into the search box and change the search term to series.
What are the different Orca book series?
Orca Currents are short, high interest novels with contemporary themes written for middle school students reading below grade level.
Reading levels from Grades 2.0 to 5.0. Interest level age 10-14.
