The highly-respected Reading Rockets program offers both teachers and students a toolkit of ways to connect more actively with the materials they read. Some of these techniques are specifically for fiction-reading, others are designed for reading nonfiction and informational texts, while others are useful for any text.

This collection uses primary sources to explore The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

Literacy practices interviews are informal assessments that elicit information on students' reading and writing activities, including their free-time reading habits, their access to books, and their attitudes toward reading and writing. Use the interviews in one-on-one or small, focus group-like settings.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the American Indian Movement between 1968 and 1978. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

This well-done site offers video clips of an interview with Avi, a brief biography, links to featured books and a transcript of the entire interview.

Watch this interview with children's nonfiction author Gail Gibbons to learn how she goes about crafting her illustrated explanations. Biographical information, a selected book list and transcripts of the interview are also part of the site.

The Reading Rockets project offers this exclusive and extensive interivew with Jane Yolen. It can be watched as a series of video clips, or you can read the transcripts. There is also a brief biographical sketch. Links to some of her books are included as well.

Jerry Pinkney is interviewed in this series of video clips. Biographical details, lists of works and transcripts of the interviews are available.

Children and adults enjoy participating in Lois Ehlert's colorful books. She discusses her work in this video interview with Reading Rockets. Also included at the site are biographical notes, a transcript of the interview and a list of some of her books.

Besides watching video clips of an interview with the creator of the beloved big red dog, you can get biographical information and link to several of Bridwell's books at this site. Transcripts of the interview are available.

Mexican-American author Pat Mora discusses her work and her life in this video interview. Biographical information, a list of selected books and a transcript of the interview are all available at this site.

Well-loved author and illustrator Patricia Polacco shares some insights about her childhood and her work in this video interview. Biographical details, a list of books, and a transcript of the interview are available.

Czechoslovakian-born writer and illustrator Peter Sis shares his thoughts on his childhood and his work here in the United States in this video interview. Transcript and biographical details are also available.

Writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola shares details of his life in this interview with public television. Site includes biographical information, a transcript of the interview and some featured books.

Watch William Joyce discuss his career creating such memorable characters as George Shrinks and Rolie Polie Olie among other topics. Biographical information, featured books and transcripts of the video interview are all included.

In this interview with Margaret Laurence in 1979, she talks of her early influences and her beliefs about writing.

Hanif Kureishi explores suburbia, pop culture, race, and the fluidity of identity in relation to some of his most famous literary works. [15:40]

Create a healthy technology balance by reflecting on digital habits with one of three creative projects. Time to complete: 6-9 hours

In this video segment adapted from NASA, students in Matsuyama City, Japan, interview Expedition 8 Commander and NASA Science Officer Mike Foale and Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri about life and work aboard the International Space Station.

This 1998 interview of Osama bin Laden took place in Afghanistan. It's an extensive and enlightening look at bin Laden's history and beliefs.