Curated Free Reading & Research Resources for Kids
Teachers, parents, and tutors often ask me, as a reading specialist, where to find high-quality nonfiction reading passages and safe research tools that students can use independently. This page was created to meet that need.
Below is a carefully curated collection of free, classroom-appropriate reading and research resources that support literacy development, content knowledge, and most importantly, safe online exploration for elementary and middle-grade learners.
About This Curated Collection
This page brings together freely available educational resources shared online by their original publishers, nonprofit organizations, and educational content creators.
All resources listed here are:
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Organized by instructional purpose and grade level
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Appropriate for classrooms, homeschooling, and reading intervention
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Designed to support reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and research skills
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Reviewed for student safety and educational value
Please note, this is a curated resource list, not a sponsored or paid recommendation.
How to Use These Resources
These materials can be used to:
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Support close reading, fluency practice, and comprehension instruction
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Build background knowledge through informational text
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Teach safe research skills using kid-friendly search engines
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Assign independent reading or homework
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Differentiate instruction for diverse reading levels
Lastly, please help keep this page accurate.
Websites occasionally change or remove content. Therefore, if you notice a broken link or outdated resource, please email:
Moreover, suggestions for additional free educational resources are always welcome.
Table of Contents
Adjusting Reading Levels: Make Any Text More Accessible
🔗Brisk is a free AI-powered tool that allows educators to adjust the reading level of digital text instantly. It’s ideal for differentiation, scaffolding complex passages, and supporting struggling readers without changing content.
Best for:
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Teachers needing quick differentiation
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Small-group instruction
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Adapting grade-level texts for intervention
🔗Rewordify simplifies complex text while preserving meaning. Teachers can paste text or enter a URL, and the tool rewrites it using more accessible vocabulary. The site also includes rewritten classic literature and vocabulary support.
Best for:
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English learners
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Students reading below grade level
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Vocabulary development
Nonfiction Reading Resources for Kids
One-Page Nonfiction Readings – Center for Urban Education
🔗https://teacher.depaul.edu/Nonfiction_Reading_Resources.html
This collection provides short, printable nonfiction passages organized by grade level. Many passages include graphic organizers and comprehension tasks, making them ideal for quick lessons and assessments.
Best for:
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Grades 2–6
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Close reading
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Exit tickets and formative assessment
E-Reading Worksheets
🔗 https://www.ereadingworksheets.com
E-Reading Worksheets offers free printable nonfiction and fiction worksheets organized by grade. These worksheets support skills in comprehension, vocabulary, and text structure.
Best for:
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Independent practice
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Homework
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Small-group instruction
Mr. Nussbaum
This site includes print-friendly reading passages and interactive learning games organized by grade level and subject area. Content is engaging and appropriate for elementary students.
Best for:
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Classroom centers
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Supplemental practice
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Student engagement
TextProject
TextProject provides high-quality nonfiction articles and literacy resources designed to build knowledge through reading. Articles are well-written and aligned with research-based literacy practices.
Best for:
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Grades 2–5
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Knowledge building
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Curriculum support
Talking Points for Kids
🔗 https://talkingpointsforkids.com
This site offers short nonfiction articles paired with discussion questions and activities that promote comprehension, reasoning, and oral language development.
Best for:
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Guided reading
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Discussion-based lessons
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Critical thinking
ReadWorks
ReadWorks provides free nonfiction passages, paired texts, Lexile levels, digital assignments, and printable PDFs for elementary through high school students.
Best for:
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Whole-class instruction
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Differentiated reading
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Homework and digital assignments
Nonfiction Text Features Videos
Search online for free, short, engaging videos that teach students about nonfiction text features such as headings, captions, diagrams, and maps.
Best for:
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Mini-lessons
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Review and reinforcement
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Visual learners
Room Recess
Room Recess offers printable nonfiction passages with Lexile levels and related activities. Content is student-friendly and easy to implement.
Best for:
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Literacy centers
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Independent reading
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Early finishers
CommonLit
CommonLit provides free nonfiction texts, paired readings, comprehension questions, and teacher guides. Many texts include accessibility tools and discussion prompts. You need to create a free account.
Best for:
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Grades 3–12
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Close reading
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Remote or classroom learning
Newsela
Newsela publishes current nonfiction articles rewritten at multiple Lexile levels. Free accounts allow access to articles, quizzes, and writing prompts.
Best for:
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Differentiation
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Content-area reading
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Current events
Beginning Reads Printable Nonfiction Books
🔗https://textproject.org/free-texts/grades-k-1/beginningreads
This resource offers printable informational books designed for early readers. Books are short, predictable, and visually supportive.
Best for:
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K–2 students
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Guided reading
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Independent practice
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Topic Reads (Decodable Informational Texts)
🔗 https://textproject.org/free-texts/grades-k-1/topicreads-primary
Furthermore, Topic Reads provide decodable nonfiction texts for early readers, supporting phonics instruction while building content knowledge.
Best for:
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Structured literacy programs
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Primary grades
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Emerging readers
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Kid-Safe Search Engines
As a final point, kid-safe search engines help students learn responsible research skills while filtering inappropriate or distracting content.
Why Use Kid-Safe Search Tools?
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Filters unsafe or inappropriate material
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Reduces distractions
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Encourages credible sources
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Provides peace of mind for adults
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🔗 Kiddle
A visual search engine designed for children, offering strict content filtering and easy-to-read results.
Provides news articles at three English proficiency levels, includes read-aloud support, vocabulary help, and quizzes.
🔗 Kid Rex
A child-friendly Google SafeSearch engine with a colorful interface and simple navigation.
A safe search engine for kids and teens that includes homework help, videos, and news.
🔗 KidTopia
A teacher-curated directory of educational websites organized by subject.
A search engine that only returns credible, vetted websites, making it ideal for student research projects.
Research & Reference Sites for Kids
🔗 Fact Monster
Includes an encyclopedia, dictionary, thesaurus, and homework help tools.
A visual research site with diagrams, quizzes, and kid-friendly explanations of science and history topics.
🔗 KidSites
A directory of safe educational websites organized by topic.
Real-world news rewritten at three proficiency levels with audio support.
Easy-to-read educational articles on history, geography, biographies, and science.
Optional Editable Version
An editable version of this resource list is available for educators who want to customize it for planning or sharing.
This page was last updated on January 11, 2026.
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