- OpenStax (USA) – A Rice University initiative offering free, peer-reviewed textbooks in subjects like math, physics, biology, and more. These digital books rival commercial textbooks and have served tens of millions of students, saving over $2.9 billion in costs across 153 countries.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Schools with limited textbook budgets can download OpenStax books (e.g. physics or chemistry) and use relevant chapters to enrich their instruction. Teachers might print key sections or use diagrams from the books in class.
- Considerations: The content is in English and aligned to US curricula, so educators should map topics to the NCTB curriculum and explain context as needed. Ensure students have access (via projectors or printed copies) since reading on smartphones may be challenging for large texts.
- BBC Bitesize (UK) – A popular free study website from the BBC, covering primary and secondary subjects (English, math, science, ICT, etc.) with concise notes, videos, and quizzes. It’s the UK’s most-used learning platform with ~20,000 learner guides for ages 5–16.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: A teacher could use Bitesize animations or interactive quizzes in an English-medium school, for example showing a short clip on photosynthesis or grammar rules as a fun starter. During the pandemic, many students worldwide relied on Bitesize for home learning, so it can also support homework or remedial study.
- Considerations: The content is tailored to UK curricula – teachers should select topics overlapping with Bangladesh’s syllabus (e.g. O-level/IGCSE topics). Also, some examples (UK history or slang) might need explaining. Since it’s web-based, ensure a reliable internet connection or pre-download videos.
- PBS LearningMedia (USA) – A free repository of standards-aligned PreK–12 classroom materials from the Public Broadcasting Service. It offers short videos, lesson plans, and even interactives across subjects, with a special student portal for safe access.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Educators can find high-quality science documentaries, English literature excerpts, or math video lessons and play them in class to enrich lessons. For instance, a Bangladeshi biology teacher might use a PBS animation on cell division to visually support the textbook.
- Considerations: You’ll need to create a free account for full access. The content is in English, so be ready to pause and discuss in Bangla if needed. Some resources mention U.S. contexts (like US history) – use those for methodology or adapt the concept to local context. Streaming video will require internet, but many PBS clips are short (few minutes) which is manageable data-wise.
- CK-12 (USA) – A nonprofit providing free digital textbooks and practice for K-12, especially in math and science. CK-12 flexbooks are customizable and include interactive simulations and quizzes. It’s known as a time-saving, comprehensive resource for educators.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: A teacher could use CK-12’s math exercises for extra practice – for example, printing out worksheets on algebra or having students use the app in a lab setting. Science teachers might project a CK-12 simulation (say, an interactive periodic table) to make lessons more engaging.
- Considerations: Content is in English and aligned to US grade levels, so choose the appropriate level (e.g. a Grade 8 BD teacher might use CK-12 Grade 7 or 8 materials). The platform allows editing the flexbook – a tech-savvy teacher could translate parts into Bangla or add local examples. Ensure computers or smartphones are available if using interactives, or use the PDF/text for offline access.
- BetterLesson (USA) – A free lesson-plan sharing site originally developed with master teachers. It hosts thousands of complete lesson plans and teaching strategies for K-12, contributed by educators in critical subjects.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Suppose you’re a secondary English teacher – you can search BetterLesson for a unit on creative writing or grammar. You’ll find detailed daily plans with activities which you can download and tweak for your class. It’s like having a global staffroom at your fingertips.
- Considerations: You need a free account to access some content. Lessons are often aligned to Common Core or US standards, so adapt the objectives and assessment to your curriculum (e.g. SSC or HSC exam requirements). Also, some lessons assume materials or class structures (like small group work, certain technology) – adjust for your class size and resource availability.
- Education.com (USA) – A vast collection of 30,000+ worksheets, games, and lesson plans for preschool to middle school. It’s a lifesaver for quick printable activities in math, English, and more.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Primary teachers can download worksheets for extra practice – for example, a Grade 3 math teacher might give out Education.com’s colorful worksheet on multiplication as homework. The site also offers interactive games; in a computer lab setting, students could play a grammar game reinforcing what they learned.
- Considerations: Requires free signup for many resources. The worksheets are in English and often aligned to Western school topics, but many are easily adaptable (you can verbally translate the instructions for your students). Printouts are useful in Bangladesh where not every student has a device. Just ensure the measurements (units, currency, etc.) are converted to local standards where relevant (e.g. changing dollars to taka in a word problem).
- Education World (USA) – A longstanding free resource hub offering lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching tips across all subjects and grade levelsonlinedegrees.sandiego.edu. It covers everything from how to lead an interactive history tour to tips on classroom management.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Teachers can browse Education World for creative activity ideas – for instance, an interactive lesson introducing students to historical sites (which could be adapted to a tour of Dhaka’s historical landmarks). The site also has “worksheet of the day” and puzzles that can add variety to classwork or after-school clubs.
- Considerations: Because it’s a general portal, the quality can vary – focus on the sections labeled “Lesson Plan” which are usually teacher-tested. Some resources might mention U.S. holidays or events (e.g. Thanksgiving); adapt these to Bangladeshi contexts (maybe International Mother Language Day activities instead). The site is freely accessible, and mostly text-based, so bandwidth isn’t an issue.
- TeachersFirst (USA) – An ad-free collection of lessons, units, and web resources curated by experienced teachers. The site is organized in a user-friendly way, and includes reviews of each resource.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: A science teacher in Bangladesh could use TeachersFirst to find a well-reviewed web interactive about the solar system, knowing it’s been vetted by other educators. Or an IT teacher might find a recommended coding activity suitable for beginners. It’s like getting a fellow teacher’s advice on what online resources actually work.
- Considerations: TeachersFirst highlights how to use tech tools in class – ensure you have the required tech (computer, projector, etc.) if you pick a resource that’s a simulation or video. Since it’s U.S.-based, some content (like a civics unit on US government) won’t directly apply, but the teaching approaches could inspire similar approaches to, say, teaching Bangladeshi civics. Always check if the linked external resource is free – TeachersFirst often points to free sites, but a few might require sign-up elsewhere.
- TESSA – Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (Africa/UK) – A collection of open teacher-training resources and lesson guides developed to improve classroom practice at scale. TESSA OER modules have had a significant impact on teacher educators and trainees by fusing educational theory with practical classroom activities.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: While aimed at Africa, many TESSA guides (available in English) focus on learner-centered methods that are globally relevant. For example, a Bangladeshi teacher trainer or headteacher could use a TESSA module on active learning to conduct a workshop for their teachers. Classroom teachers can draw on TESSA’s activity ideas (like group work in large classes) to make lessons more interactive even with limited resources.
- Considerations: The scenarios in TESSA might describe African school settings – users should adapt names or contexts to Bangladesh. The strength of TESSA is pedagogy; it might not align with specific Bangladesh curriculum content, but it shows how to teach more effectively. No special technology is required – many activities use local materials – which fits well in resource-limited schools.
Teaching Resources
Downloadable templates, lesson planning guides, and global classroom tools designed for Bangladeshi teachers and ready to adapt to your context.
Open Educational Resources (OER)
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Resources
- PhET Interactive Simulations (USA) – A University of Colorado project providing over 100 free simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, and math. These sims are research-based – designed using findings from cognitive science and science education to maximize effectiveness. They’re highly interactive (students can, say, virtually mix chemicals or slide friction blocks) and have been translated into dozens of languages.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: A physics teacher can use PhET’s Circuit Construction Kit on a projector to demonstrate electrical circuits when lab equipment is scarce. Students could even use it hands-on in an ICT lab to experiment safely with “virtual” circuits or chemistry labs. It makes abstract concepts visible – e.g. a PhET sim on greenhouse gases could enliven a climate science lesson.
- Considerations: You’ll need a computer and projector (or students need PCs) – but once downloaded, simulations run offline, which is great if internet is unreliable. The interface is in English by default; however, many sims have Bangla translations – check the language menu. Allow some play time for students to explore the simulation, and guide them with questions so they don’t get lost in just having fun.
- Exploratorium Educational Resources (USA) – Engaging science and art activities from San Francisco’s famous science museum. The site offers free experiments, hands-on activities, and videos that “explore the world through science, art, and human perception.”
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: You might not be able to take your students to a science museum, but Exploratorium brings some of that magic to you. For instance, a teacher could download an activity guide on making a simple telescope or a pinhole camera with local materials and do it with the class. There are also great science tricks (like balancing acts or optical illusions) that can be used in a school science club or as demos to spark curiosity at the start of lessons.
- Considerations: Most activities use inexpensive materials, but check the list – you may need to gather things like magnets, batteries, etc., or substitute local equivalents. The instructions are in English, so you should explain them in Bangla as you go. These activities emphasize exploration, so be prepared for some joyful noise and student interaction (which is a good thing!). To manage large classes, consider doing demos or breaking into groups if possible.
- Smithsonian Science Education Center (USA) – The Smithsonian’s STEM education arm provides free K-12 modules and curricula in science and engineering, along with professional development for teachers. Content includes lesson plans, readings, and even entire curriculum units (like “STEM in Action” series).
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: A science teacher can use a Smithsonian module on environmental science that includes case studies and hands-on projects. For example, there might be a unit on water purification – a teacher could take the core ideas and have students test water from the local pond, integrating a global resource with local application. It’s also useful for finding real-world science contexts to make lessons more relevant (e.g., connect a physics lesson on force to how engineers build bridges, with materials from Smithsonian).
- Considerations: These resources are detailed and aligned to NextGen Science Standards (USA), so you may not use an entire module as-is. Pick and choose parts that fit your class length and objectives. Since the materials are in English, you’ll need to translate or summarize key points for students. Many modules encourage inquiry and student discussion – which is fantastic, but in a very traditional classroom you might need to set norms so students feel comfortable with a more active learning style.
- Inside Mathematics (USA) – A resource portal featuring exemplary math tasks, lesson videos, and teaching tools for middle and high school math. It’s known for its “problems of the month” and rich tasks aligned to Common Core standards.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: When you want to push your students’ problem-solving skills, Inside Mathematics is a goldmine. For example, you can find a non-routine geometry problem (with different entry levels) to challenge Class 9–10 students beyond the typical textbook questions. Some problems are given with solution strategies and even videos of how teachers presented them – a great self-training tool for you. You could use a problem of the month as a Math Club activity or a weekly challenge in class to spark discussion and collaborative thinking among students.
- Considerations: The problems are in English and use some American contexts (like baseball statistics or US currency in word problems), so you may need to change context (e.g., use cricket or taka in the problem narrative). Ensure the difficulty matches your students’ level – many tasks can be scaled up or down by changing numbers. Because these are often open-ended problems, prepare to give hints and encourage students who aren’t used to that style; assure them that struggling a bit is part of learning.
- NRICH Maths (UK) – A project by the University of Cambridge offering free rich mathematics tasks and games for ages 5–18. NRICH emphasizes problem-solving and a “low-threshold, high-ceiling” approach – tasks are accessible yet can stretch the most advanced learners. In fact, Cambridge’s education faculty notes that NRICH’s high-quality resources help teachers worldwide embed problem-solving in the classroom.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: You can pick an NRICH puzzle or investigation to supplement each math chapter. For instance, after teaching an algebraic formula, present an NRICH problem that requires applying that formula in a clever way. Primary teachers could use NRICH games (which often require simple props like dice or sticks) as math warm-ups. These tasks encourage group discussion – you might put students in small groups to tackle an NRICH challenge and then present solutions.
- Considerations: Problems are described in English; you might translate the prompt or paraphrase it in simpler terms for your class. Some NRICH activities might initially seem unusual to students accustomed to rote tasks – explain that there may be multiple solution paths and encourage a growth mindset. If class size is large, consider doing the problem on the board interactively, soliciting ideas from the crowd. NRICH tasks can be challenging, so choose ones that align with your students’ level (NRICH categorizes by age/difficulty).
- Zearn Math (USA) – A personalized online math program originally aligned with Eureka Math (EngageNY). It provides 800+ digital lessons with interactive problem solving and immediate feedback, often used alongside textbook instruction. Notably, research in the U.S. (including a study in Colorado) found that consistent use of Zearn led to modest but positive gains in math achievement for students compared to those not using the tool.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: In a school with a computer lab or tablet carts, a teacher could rotate students through Zearn math lessons for practice while others do written work. For example, Class 5 students practicing fractions could each do a Zearn lesson at their own pace – the program gives hints and adjusts difficulty. Even without individual devices, teachers might display a Zearn lesson on the projector and have the whole class solve problems interactively (treating it like a group activity).
- Considerations: Zearn’s full curriculum is American – you would use it as supplementary practice on topics that overlap (like arithmetic, basic algebra). An account (free for individual teachers) is needed to access the library. Since it’s in English, younger students especially will need some language support – you might need to explain the task in Bangla before they start. Also, because it’s game-like, students may get competitive – set some norms so they focus on learning, not just speed.
- Desmos (USA) – A free suite of math software tools, including the hugely popular Desmos Graphing Calculator and ready-made interactive math activities. Desmos’s tools (graphing, geometry, and scientific calculators) are used by over 75 million people worldwide every year – including many teachers integrating them into lessons.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: If you have a projector, the Desmos graphing calculator can bring equations to life – for instance, graphing y = ax^2 + bx + c and instantly showing students how the parabola changes when a, b, or c changes. It’s excellent for visual learners. Teachers can also access Desmos Classroom Activities (like an interactive lesson where students slide points to learn about linear equations) – these can be run in a computer lab or even as a whole-class demo.
- Considerations: The calculator works offline (in the browser or via the app) once loaded, but interactive lessons require internet. Desmos is intuitive but in English; however, math notation is universal so students may not find language a big barrier. One fun aspect – Desmos is so powerful that students can create art with it (some globally have made intricate drawings using equations!). Perhaps run a contest for the best Desmos art to engage advanced students. Lastly, remember to align any Desmos activity with your lesson goal – the wow factor is great, but tie it to concept understanding (e.g., use that parabola demo to reinforce how the quadratic formula coefficients affect the graph).
- GeoGebra (Global) – A free and open-source software for interactive geometry, algebra, statistics, and calculus. It’s both an app and a repository of activities. GeoGebra has a massive global user community – over 100 million users worldwide – and is available in many languages.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Think of teaching circle geometry or trigonometry – with GeoGebra, you can construct a dynamic diagram (say a triangle with inscribed circle) and drag points to show properties live. This can significantly improve students’ conceptual understanding. You can either use GeoGebra yourself for demonstrations or have students use it in an ICT class for discovery learning (for example, letting them explore how changing angles affects a shape). GeoGebra’s website also offers pre-made interactives – e.g., a simulation of a pendulum for a physics-math crossover lesson.
- Considerations: While the GeoGebra app can be downloaded (so you don’t need continuous internet), it does require a PC or tablets for students to use directly. Plan a specific task for students if they’re using it (unstructured play may confuse some). Good news: the interface can be switched to Bangla (and other languages), which can help younger students. If devices are limited, one approach is to create screenshots from GeoGebra illustrating different scenarios and use them in printed handouts to discuss patterns – it’s not interactive on paper, but still leverages the tool’s precision in creating diagrams.
- Visionlearning (USA) – A library of in-depth science modules covering topics in biology, chemistry, Earth science, and more. These modules are written in an accessible format and often include quizzes and bilingual glossary terms. Visionlearning content is created and reviewed by scientists and educators, ensuring reliability. (It originated from NSF-funded efforts to improve science education.)
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: If you need background material or a student-friendly reading on a topic, Visionlearning is great. For instance, for a Class 11 chemistry class you might assign a reading on chemical bonding from Visionlearning to reinforce the textbook. It’s also helpful for teacher preparation – each module gives historical context and common misconceptions (so you can anticipate student errors).
- Considerations: The modules are text-heavy and in English, so for classroom use with students, consider summarizing or translating key points. You might photocopy a section (the site allows educational use) and have students read in groups, then discuss. Each module includes quiz questions – you can use those for a quick formative assessment. Since it’s free and open, students can access it from home too if they have internet, which might help motivated learners dive deeper into science topics beyond class.
- Illuminations by NCTM (USA) – A website from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics featuring 100+ interactive math tools and lesson plans for pre-K to Grade 12. (Note: Illuminations was an NCTM project that still exists as an archived resource.) It provides activities, online games, and instructional support, all aimed at making math illuminating and fun.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: You could use an Illuminations interactive, such as a virtual geoboard or a fractions game, on a projector or smartboard to demonstrate concepts. Additionally, Illuminations lesson plans (e.g., a creative way to teach symmetry by making art or a real-life problem using ratios) can be integrated into your planning. Many Bangladeshi math teachers focus on procedural problems – these resources will help introduce concepts in a visual, applied manner.
- Considerations: Because some parts of the site are now archived, not every interactive may run on modern browsers (they were made in Flash/Java in the past). However, many have been updated or have downloadable guides. Always test the interactive at home first. If it doesn’t work, you can often find a printable workaround or just use the idea in a low-tech way. The lesson plans are in English and aligned to US standards, but math is math – you’ll just need to align the notation or terms (for instance, using “metre” instead of “meter”). Students generally enjoy these enrichment activities, but be sure to connect it back to the formal methods they need for exams (do the fun activity, then explicitly draw the link to the formula or theorem they must learn).
Language & Literacy Resources
- Reading Rockets (USA) – A treasure trove of research-based strategies and tools to help young children become strong readers. It includes articles on teaching reading, guides for phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension, plus free classroom activities and video interviews with literacy experts.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Primary teachers and reading instructors can use Reading Rockets for both improving their teaching techniques and finding student activities. For example, you can learn new strategies for phonemic awareness (crucial if you’re teaching English phonics to young kids in Bangladesh) – like fun rhyming games or how to do “think-alouds” during story time. The site also provides printable reading tip sheets in many languages (including possibly Bangla) for parents – a great resource if you want to involve families in supporting literacy at home. A teacher could print simple English story scripts or comprehension question cards from the site to use in guided reading sessions.
- Considerations: The core ideas (like how to teach blending sounds, or how to build reading fluency) are universally applicable, but examples might use English storybooks not readily available in Bangladesh. You can apply the methods to local English readers or adapt with whatever texts you have. Since it’s research-based, sometimes the site cites studies – don’t be put off by that; look at the practical takeaways (they often summarize what it means for the classroom). If you’re working with very young children who are learning to read in English as a second language, you might need to balance phonics with some basic vocabulary teaching – Reading Rockets has sections on ESL/ELL which can be quite useful in our context where English isn’t the first language.
- ReadWorks (USA) – A free online platform offering hundreds of reading passages (fiction and nonfiction) with question sets, organized by grade level and topic. It specializes in reading comprehension and is built on cognitive science research – in fact, it advertises that its curriculum is “research-based” to boost student reading ability.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: If you teach English reading or even content subjects in English, ReadWorks is extremely handy. For example, a Class 7 English teacher can assign a passage from ReadWorks about “Mangoes Around the World” and then use the accompanying vocabulary and comprehension questions to test understanding. The passages come with a Lexile level, so you can choose according to your students’ reading proficiency. In a Bangladeshi context, where English reading resources may be limited, ReadWorks can provide fresh material beyond the textbook – great for extensive reading practice or exam prep (like for improving unseen passage skills in SSC/HSC). They also have an audio option; you could play the audio of a passage while students follow along, aiding listening skills.
- Considerations: You need to create a free teacher account. Not all passages will culturally resonate (some talk about American holidays, etc.), but you can select those that either broaden world knowledge or find more general topics. If internet is an issue, you can print passages ahead of time – the site allows printing of the texts and questions. For struggling readers, you might start with passages below grade level to build confidence then scaffold up – ReadWorks allows filtering by Lexile (reading difficulty measure). Since questions are provided, it’s tempting to just assign and collect – but try to discuss the passages too, to build critical thinking. And if your students are primarily used to rote learning, explicitly teach them how to infer answers from context clues, etc., as the ReadWorks questions often target those higher-order skills.
- ReadWriteThink (USA) – A literacy resource hub run by the National Council of Teachers of English and partners. It provides free lesson plans, interactive student materials, and activities for reading and writing, K-12. Everything from poetry writing templates, to graphic organizers for essay planning, to calendar-based activities (e.g., celebrating World Literacy Day) can be found here.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: An English teacher can find a fully fleshed-out lesson plan on, say, writing a persuasive essay or conducting a literature circle for a novel. Each plan spells out objectives, materials, and step-by-step instructions. You might not follow it verbatim, but it gives a strong framework. For instance, if you’re doing a unit on short stories in Class 9, ReadWriteThink might have an activity like “plot diagram interactive” where students digitally map out a story’s exposition, climax, etc. – you could either use the interactive tool in a computer lab or replicate it with chart paper in class. Additionally, the site offers student interactives like a Letter Generator (to teach letter writing format) which could be engaging if you have ICT access.
- Considerations: Lesson plans are in English and aligned to US standards, so you’ll need to align with your curriculum goals. Time might be a factor – some plans span several days, whereas you might need to condense into one Bangladeshi class period; feel free to use just parts of a plan. The student interactive tools (like the Essay Map or Venn Diagram maker) require internet and ideally individual or paired computer use – if that’s not feasible, consider doing it as a class on one projector, or using printable versions (often available). Because ReadWriteThink is backed by reputable literacy organizations, the approaches encourage student-centered learning – which is wonderful, just remember to prepare your students if they’re not used to, say, brainstorming ideas or peer reviewing each other’s drafts. A bit of coaching on those routines will make the experience smoother.
- CommonLit (USA) – A free digital library of literary and informational texts for grades 3–12, with assessment questions and discussion prompts. The platform is entirely research-based and designed to nudge teachers toward best practices in literacy instruction. It covers a diverse range of genres – poems, short stories, articles – often with a focus on critical thinking.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: CommonLit is like having a huge anthology at your fingertips. Suppose you’re teaching O-level English or IELTS classes – you can find passages on CommonLit to practice reading comprehension and analysis. For instance, a teacher might assign a short story from CommonLit as weekend reading, then use the provided discussion questions in class to explore theme and character. Or use one of their nonfiction texts about a historical event to complement a history lesson (e.g., reading a passage about Malala Yousafzai when discussing global education, fostering cross-curricular learning in English class). The questions are often standards-aligned and push students to cite evidence and make inferences, which is great training for higher-level exams.
- Considerations: You’ll need to sign up (free) and add your students if you want to digitally assign and collect responses. If tech is limited, you can download PDFs of texts and give paper copies. The content being English-centric means you should gauge difficulty – many texts are high-interest but maybe US-centric or globally broad; pick topics that either connect to your syllabus or that you’re ready to provide context for. One of CommonLit’s strengths is its library of paired texts – you can give students two texts on a similar theme (say, two perspectives on social media) – and then do a compare-contrast discussion, which builds deeper understanding. Keep an eye on the complexity level (CommonLit provides a Lexile measure). When students answer questions, encourage them to explain in their own words as well – don’t worry if their English isn’t perfect; the goal is to build comprehension and critical thinking, and practice will improve language accuracy over time.
- StoryWeaver (India) – An open digital library of children’s stories launched by Pratham Books. It hosts tens of thousands of illustrated storybooks in over 300 languages (including a growing collection in English) which are openly licensed. You can read, download, and even translate or adapt stories on the platform for free.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: For early primary teachers or those running community reading programs, StoryWeaver is a goldmine. You can find simple English stories that are culturally relevant to South Asia (many involve animals, village life, folktales, etc.) and use them for read-aloud sessions. For example, you could project a story about a clever rabbit on the wall and read it aloud while showing the pictures – engaging young learners in English comprehension. If students are not yet comfortable reading in English, you could first tell it in Bangla and then highlight a few English key words. Furthermore, advanced students or English clubs could undertake a project to translate a short English story from StoryWeaver into Bangla or vice versa – promoting bilingual literacy.
- Considerations: The site allows filtering by language, level, and theme – very useful. Make sure to pick “English” in language for use in English class (there are also stories in Bangla on the site if you teach Bangla subject or want bilingual resources). Many stories come with activities or questions at the end – you can use those for comprehension checks. If internet is an issue in the classroom, download PDFs of a few favorite stories when you have access and print them as booklets. Copyright isn’t a worry because they are openly licensed – you can legally photocopy or even remix them. One thing to consider is the length and attention span: choose very short stories (6-8 pages) for younger kids in one sitting. Also, consider involving students by assigning roles – one can be the ‘picture describer’, another the ‘word detective’ to spot new English words, etc., to make storytime interactive even in large classes.
- Oxford Owl (UK) – A free eBook library and educational resource site from Oxford University Press, targeted at children 3–11. It provides over 100 free digital books (especially early readers and leveled reading series), as well as guidance for teaching reading and even maths for primary level.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: Schools that follow English-medium or have an English enrichment period can use Oxford Owl’s eBooks for reading practice. For example, you might have a “guided reading” session where a small group reads an Oxford Owl story on a tablet or laptop (stories like Oxford’s Biff, Chip and Kipper series are engaging for kids). Teachers can also download worksheets and storytelling ideas from the site. If your school has a projector, you can do a whole-class read-aloud using an Oxford Owl book, pointing to the words as you read – this models reading behavior and helps kids associate spoken and written English. There are also phonics resources which are extremely useful if you’re teaching phonics (sound-letter correspondence) systematically.
- Considerations: You need to register (free) on Oxford Owl for access to the library. The books are leveled (by Oxford Reading Level or book bands) – it might take a little trial to find which level corresponds to your students’ proficiency. Generally, start lower and see if they find it easy or hard. These books often include images and sometimes audio – if you have audio, great, but if not, you’ll serve as the narrator which is fine. One note: the contexts are U.K.-centric (stories about pet dogs, going to the park, etc.) which actually translate well globally for the most part, but occasionally you may need to explain a concept (like “snow” if children have never seen it, or British terms like “mum” for mother). Also, since the number of free titles is limited (they rotate them), use them wisely – perhaps one new eBook per week to keep students excited. Always reinforce after reading: have a quick discussion or a fun activity (draw your favorite part, act out the story) to deepen comprehension and enjoyment.
- Project Gutenberg (Global) – The original online library of free eBooks, with over 75,000 public domain books available for download. This includes classic literature in English – everything from Shakespeare, Dickens and Austen to folk tales and historical documents – as well as some works in translation.
- Use in Bangladeshi classrooms: For secondary or higher-secondary literature classes, Project Gutenberg is invaluable. If you want your students to read classic novels or stories that aren’t in your textbook, you can freely get them here – for example, assigning The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as an extensive reading project by downloading the text from Gutenberg. Teachers of English literature can print excerpts from classics to use in lessons (like a famous soliloquy from Shakespeare or a short story by Oscar Wilde) without worrying about copyright. It’s also a great source for English debate or elocution pieces – you can find famous speeches or essays from figures like Abraham Lincoln or Mark Twain.
- Considerations: The texts are the original versions, so language can be archaic or advanced. For school use, you might need to provide annotations or explanations for difficult vocabulary. Also, browsing Gutenberg can be overwhelming because it’s just a giant list of books – it helps to know what you’re looking for (e.g., type “Rabindranath Tagore” or “Grimms’ Fairy Tales” in the search). Since all content is free to use, you can adapt it – for instance, simplifying a chapter or just taking the portion you need. One cool idea is encouraging strong readers to download an English classic on their smartphone (Gutenberg texts are light .txt or .epub files) and read a bit each day – essentially creating a digital library for motivated students. Gutenberg also has some audio book versions (volunteer-recorded) which could be useful if you want to play a literature excerpt in class. Keep in mind cultural relevance; many classics are Western-centric. It might be enriching to expose students to those, but make sure to bridge connections: discuss how the themes relate or differ from Bengali literature they know.
