Issue 138
Term 3, 2026
New websites and apps
Download the entire collection of records for these digital resources, plus a few more, which you can upload directly into your library management system. Select ‘Connections Term 3 2026’ and click on the Download button.
Big ideas in Beginning Reading
Type: Website
SCIS ID: 5569632
Audience: Teachers
URL: https://reading.uoregon.edu/
This website contains information and resources for teachers about the science of reading, with details about the five essential components of reading – phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. It contains downloadable infographics, videos with teaching examples, and links to further professional reading and resources.
Madison's Library
Type: Website
SCIS ID: 5569552
Audience: Library staff
URL: https://madisonslibrary.com/
This website is a portal for resources, book reviews, reading and school library news, created and curated by Madison Dearnaley, an Australian teacher librarian. Madison has created an online community hub for teacher librarians, and you can stay updated by subscribing to her free blog.
SPELD SA free resources
Type: Website
SCIS ID: 5569639
Audience: Parents, teachers
URL: https://speldsa.org.au/pages/speld-sa-phonic-books
This page contains links to SPELD’s free phonics readers range from the Sounds-Write and Jolly Phonics codes. They can be downloaded as PDF, PowerPoint or text (no images). SPELD’s site also contains free teaching resources, professional reading, and links to literacy, phonics and reading workshops and webinars – some of which are free.
Readaloud.org
Type: Website
SCIS ID: 5569665
Audience: Parents, teachers
URL: https://www.readaloud.org/
This website contains resources, information and activities to encourage regular reading aloud. It’s curated by a nonprofit organisation that aims to make reading aloud every day for at least 15 minutes the new standard in childcare. There are downloadable graphics and tips, suggested reading lists for reading aloud, as well as a subscription newsletter.
Vision Australia Library
Type: Website
SCIS ID: 5569653
Audience: Parents, teachers
URL: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/library
The Vision Australia Library is free to join for Australian residents with a print disability. It includes many resources, including audiobooks and podcasts and other digital resources, which are available immediately online. For children, there are decodable and e-Braille books, Lego Braille Bricks kits available for loan, as well as online resources to support their use.
Eleven Reader
Type: App
SCIS ID: 5569675
Audience: Students, teachers, parents
Note: This app requires a subscription, including for the free trial period, but is free for students and educators for the first year. This app contains free audiobooks and free text-to-speech converters with an AI reader available in many different voices. Voices are natural-sounding and there are a wide range to choose from – including voices of actors as well as AI native voices – and they can be filtered for age, gender, accent and affect (friendly, dramatic, etc). PDFs, books, websites and scanned pages can be read aloud through the app, which also offers real-time word highlighting. Bookmarks and annotations can be added while listening.